The Source of Racial Trouble

While the Harvard Foundation supports the right of any student group to invite speakers whom they feel will provide viewpoints which are underrepresented at Harvard, the Black Students Association did not at any time, solicit financial assistance from the Foundation bringing Leonard Jeffries. Racial problems will continue to exist as long as students prefer not to deal with all sides of diversity. Racial harmony cannot be achieved by ignoring "random graffiti" or blindly condemning the perspective of speakers like Jeffries.

In his dissenting editorial "Only Students Can Solve Racial Problems," published on December 11, Mark J. Sneider stated that race relations is "far from 'Harvard's biggest problem.'" Attitudes like his serve only to exacerbate racial tensions. In fact, race relations is a serious problem, which should be a priority of everyone's at Harvard. Problems in race relations cannot be solved by an administrative committee geared toward creating trickledown goodwill among students. On the contrary, every person on this campus is responsible for treating others with respect and equity. This behavior cannot be legislated by the administration, but must be a conscious decision on the part of all students and faculty. The problem arises, however, when individuals choose not to be responsible for their own actions, but instead blame the University for its inability to deal with racial issues.

Organizations like the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations and the five large minority groups responsible for its existence have worked tirelessly to "enhance the quality of our common lives." It is disappointing to see these efforts and their initial motives become co-opted by those who have no interest in race relations whatsoever. In the past, the Harvard Foundation has hosted countless events wherein students of all races, ethnicities and religions have been able to celebrate their respective cultures in a supportive environment. The record of the Foundation speaks for itself.

Likewise, the Black Students Association has sponsored events designed to increase campus-wide understanding of issues facing the broad spectrum of Black America. Sneider erroneously accuses both of these organizations of being "the real source of racial trouble at Harvard." Sneider implies that race relations were satisfactory before certain campus organizations became more active. What many misinformed people on this campus do not realize is that racial problems have always existed.

Sneider is right in saying that it is a "long road" to racial harmony. However, as much as increasing awareness of students is part of the solution, so is removing the ignorance and narrow-mindedness that still exists on campus.

There is an unwillingness on the part of many students to examine objectively viewpoints which are unfamiliar to them. Perhaps this is "the real source of racial trouble at Harvard," for which Sneider is searching. Aida E. Bekele '94   Ouzama N. Nicholson '94   Co-Chairs, Harvard Foundation Student Advisory Committee