[388] in Discussion of MIT-community interests
Re: ATO Incident
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Justin M Nelson)
Tue May 1 02:36:10 2001
Message-Id: <200105010635.CAA18426@quickstation-burton-conner.mit.edu>
To: "Christopher D. Beland" <beland@MIT.EDU>, mit-talk@MIT.EDU
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Mon, 30 Apr 2001 18:16:27 EDT."
<200104302216.SAA29962@Press-Your-Luck.mit.edu>
Date: Tue, 01 May 2001 02:35:24 -0400
From: Justin M Nelson <jmnelson@MIT.EDU>
well i think an important piece of information should be viewed about the ATO incident. particularly, what was said. see i had a very hard time believing the roots side of this story just because ATO is such a diverse house and such blind racist hatred (as this picture is trying to be painted) completely did not fit. i was told by one of the most honest people (and the person i have the most respect for) that ive met at this school that this comment made was "who is this black bitch"
is that racist? if someone would've said "who is this white bitch?" would that be racist? what if someone said "who is this black woman?" since the term bitch has no (not known to me) racist connotations to it then you should be able to substitute woman for bitch and not change the degree of racistness. the roots lady said that the guy said "nigger bitch" cause you cant be excused for flying off the handle when someone calls you a bitch but if you can say its racist.... thats another story.
ok, so maybe youre saying that my friend just lied to me. it is a possibility that i would question too if i didnt trust him like i do. the only problem is i cannot see the kind of racist attitude needed for the roots side of the story existing in such a fraternity whose brothers are so diverse. if there were racial tension there, i know people who wouldnt take it and would leave the frat. it doesnt make sense.
so what is ATO forced to do? they have to save face with everyone because they cant just sit back and say "she's lying, we're not". that would look childish and devious. no, they have to do the thing that looks right and comply with the pressure.
justin nelson
ps. sensitivity training? seriously, who in their right mind honestly thinks this kind of thing works? if you are racists, someone standing there saying you should play nice is not going to change you.
