Racial tensions explored

"Is Black History Month Racist?" \nThat was the big question Thursday, as several IU students waited silently for the start of a forum put on by IU's Community Educator Program to begin. A panel discussion, occasioned by Indiana Daily Student Opinion Columnist Warren Chris Freiberg's column, bearing a headline labeling Black History Month as racist, was led by several IU students of opposing viewpoints.\n"It would be great if we didn't have to do this," said Barry Magee, director of the Community Educator Program. "But these differences are a reality on campus."\nAs the program began the atmosphere quickly tensed as each member of the forum aired their beliefs on Black History Month. All eyes, however, seemed to be on Freiberg.\n"Do we point these people out because they made real contributions, or because they are black?" said Freiberg who stated he was surprised the IDS ran the controversial headline over his column. "Black History Month makes white people look bad. I never owned a slave and I never wanted to." \nHe added that many minority groups, such as the Irish, were hated and they succeeded in America by "going with the flow." \nThis comment quickly generated a response from Eric Love, Director of Diversity Education. \n"Though many immigrants were treated badly," Love said, "those of European descent could easily blend in."\nFreiberg said the purpose of his column was to highlight that focusing on differences further divides America.\n"You can't talk about American history without talking about black history," said Freiberg, "but I think we would still be where we are at without (a) Black History Month."\nFreiberg suggested that his column was meant to be a humorous take on diversity that was inspired by Dave Chappelle and "The Simpsons."\nHowever his humor was lost on several audience members who didn't share his sentiments.\n"What were you thinking?," said graduate student Tahirah Akbar-Williams referring to the column. "Ignorance starts tension, and this is still often a very hostile place for minorities." \nPanelist and president of the Black Student Union Crystal Brown also questioned Freiberg's ideas.\n"When I first read it I said to myself 'He has some nerve,'" she said. "I asked myself, 'What did I do, as a black student, to fail (Freiberg) in terms of education?'" \nHer sentiments were shared by Love, who suggested he has a lot more work to do. \n"The reason for black and other history months is because the information is not taught in mainstream society," Love said. "Part of the problem is perception, some people think IU is very diverse, and others don't. It matters where you're coming from." \nLove also said it seems that whites are threatened when others are being praised. \nSeveral students had problems with Freiberg's presentation of the topic, especially the headline. \n"In his column, he desensitized slavery by making several stereotypical references to mayonnaise and hot sauce," said senior Tyrone Allen. "It's obvious he is loving the attention, it was all done for shock value." \nAs the question and answer session began, several members of the crowd openly stated their beliefs. The topic seemed to generate much emotion out of the crowd as discussion ranged from white history month, blacks in McDonald's commercials and Christmas. However, the main point of contention was Frieberg's column. One audience member questioned a previous column by Freiberg and his stance on Mexicans as the member stated that Freiberg "has a serious problem."\nFreiberg later said "changes in America happened because people fought for them, not because of forced diversity."\n"If we had made the decision not to publish we wouldn't have offended anyone, but we wouldn't be having this discussion either," said IDS Opinion Editor Elisha Sauers. \nAlso IDS Editor in Chief Josh Sanburn was firm in his stance of publishing the article as he stated that the paper should be a market place of ideas. Sanburn realized that the tone was wrong, but stated that the article had valid points. Many on the panel agreed that education is necessary in understanding the issue. \n-- Contact Staff Writer Cordell Eddings at ceddings@indiana.edu.