Question of race remains
Chelsea Eakin
Issue date: 4/22/09 Section: News
Adams also recognized how heavily the racial aspect of what happened is "with respect to history in this country and…what we all understand to be particular historical experiences of people of color with respect to figures of authority and to police and law enforcement in particular."
A week after the incident took place, students began posting their thoughts about the role race may have played in the April 12 incident. The racial issue has sparked debates about culturally insensitive clothing, spring break vacations and whether being a member of CCOR makes one student more race-sensitive than another.
On the April 15 Digest of Civil Discourse Jonathan Schroth '09 wrote "As any English major at this school could probably tell you, there is an EXTREME absence of ANY evidence you could possibly use to claim either 1) excessive force or, and especially, 2) racial motivation."
His post sparked a number of responses.
The next day, Nicholas Bohlen '11 wrote "This is not solely about presenting a logical argument, but about presenting facts of which the student body was not aware. Not excessive force? In that case, why must a student bleed and another be sprayed with mace multiple times when already pinned down? Racially motivated? Maybe not, but race is certainly part of the equation and cannot be overlooked."
"I will not go as far as to say it was racially motivated," Bohlen said in an e-mail to the Echo. "My main problem with not acknowledging race as part of the incident is that it implies a color-blind attitude towards race, ignoring this component of the students' identity. Color blindness towards race inherently marginalizes minorities and accepts 'whiteness' as the natural, privileged position, which should not be the case."
Clifford Vickrey '10 also responded to Schroth on the Digest: "The presenters did not claim, for instance, that the officers were undoubtedly racist - which would require verifiable proof - but merely observed that they seemingly applied a double standard to the bystanders (making the minorities leave, letting the white people stay)."
A week after the incident took place, students began posting their thoughts about the role race may have played in the April 12 incident. The racial issue has sparked debates about culturally insensitive clothing, spring break vacations and whether being a member of CCOR makes one student more race-sensitive than another.
On the April 15 Digest of Civil Discourse Jonathan Schroth '09 wrote "As any English major at this school could probably tell you, there is an EXTREME absence of ANY evidence you could possibly use to claim either 1) excessive force or, and especially, 2) racial motivation."
His post sparked a number of responses.
The next day, Nicholas Bohlen '11 wrote "This is not solely about presenting a logical argument, but about presenting facts of which the student body was not aware. Not excessive force? In that case, why must a student bleed and another be sprayed with mace multiple times when already pinned down? Racially motivated? Maybe not, but race is certainly part of the equation and cannot be overlooked."
"I will not go as far as to say it was racially motivated," Bohlen said in an e-mail to the Echo. "My main problem with not acknowledging race as part of the incident is that it implies a color-blind attitude towards race, ignoring this component of the students' identity. Color blindness towards race inherently marginalizes minorities and accepts 'whiteness' as the natural, privileged position, which should not be the case."
Clifford Vickrey '10 also responded to Schroth on the Digest: "The presenters did not claim, for instance, that the officers were undoubtedly racist - which would require verifiable proof - but merely observed that they seemingly applied a double standard to the bystanders (making the minorities leave, letting the white people stay)."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Robert Ryan
posted 4/23/09 @ 12:51 PM EST
"It doesn't matter what the actual facts were" Yes, Professor Tappan, let's not let the facts get in the way. So long as the race card is in the deck, someone has to play it, don't they? We've hired a politically correct investigator (who from what I have reviewed is extrordinarily well qualifed and should do a great job) but has that quality of being acceptable to thouse who percieve every event through a racial prism. (Continued…)
John Gray
posted 4/27/09 @ 11:39 PM EST
As someone who has served in public service for over 30 years at the local, state,and Federal levels I believe Ralph Martin as a human being, attorney and prosecutor will sort through this situation and make intelligent recommendations. (Continued…)
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