Focus of Group should be on all Students
Wednesday, March 11, 1987, University Daily Kansan
A little after midnight March 4, I heard a clamor of voices outside. Looking out from my
residence hall window, I saw the marchers representing the Black Student Union. They
were carrying candles and signs that supposedly (I couldn't read them because of the
darkness) demanded fair treatment from the Student Senate and accused it of racism.
I would like to point out that the BSU must accept a share of the blame. If the BSU
expects fair representation, it should work to elect more supporters of its cause.
While the BSU may argue they are not strictly a minority organization, I would argue
against that after not having seen many white marchers that night. The president of BSU
was quoted in the Kansan as saying that all black students are immediately considered
members, while white students are free to join if they desire.
What would be BSU's opinion of a University organization that immediately considered
whites as members, while "allowing" non whites to become members? They'd be outraged
and rightfully so. I've noticed the black "beauty pageants" advertised around campus. I
specifically remember one as boasting the titles of "Mr. Ebony and Miss Essence." What
could be the University's response to a Miss Ivory contest? A contest that might honor
the traits and virtues stereotypically defined as belonging to Caucasians?
The BSU also should concern itself with protecting the rights of all people, including
women and homosexuals. Until they do. it will be recognized as merely a group looking
after its own interests and not one in search of universal rights.
As I salute the leadership that got all the marchers out in the middle of the night, I
would also like to pose a few questions for these leaders. Mainly, where were these
marchers in the fall when local and state elections were taking place in November?
I was an active member of the KU Democrats and regularly attended meetings. I
scarcely recall a black person attending any meeting, period. And I'm pretty sure that
the marchers weren't at the Republicans' meetings. The apathy of black students
concerning local politics makes it hard for me to take the march more seriously than
just a group of people acting on a whim.
One of the most important platforms of the Kansas Democratic Party was the opposition
to the reinstatement of the death penalty. The death penalty, which is heavily biased along
racial and economic lines, discriminates against blacks and lower-class minorities. Ten
times as many blacks receive the death penalty as whites.
I'd like to see the leaders of the BSU take a firm stance against the proposed reinstatement
of this penalty, possibly even organizing lobbying efforts at the State Capitol.
The black voice is a loud voice and it certainly demands attention, especially when
raised in unison at midnight as it was on Wednesday. I applaud the BSU in its attempts at
fairness and hope its leader will review their focal interests. Situations of near discrimination
as well as reverse discrimination are easily found when eyes are opened. And they will see
that we need to work together to battle racial and sexual discrimination in the Legislature
and in Congress as hard, or harder, as that found on campus.
So let us march together in the fall of 1988. Let us join forces and use the strength of
our numbers to effect change for all peoples, and not only for ourselves.
Forest Bloodgood is a sophomore from Stillwater, Oklahoma, studying English.
(re-printed verbatim 6-18-2020 Portland, Oregon.)
Black Lives Matter
see below: Minimum wage at the time in Kansas, $1.60
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