Students speak about Barack Obama effigy

In light of the recent Obama effigy, I have to think that our society is ignorant to the race issues that we are creating. I will start by saying I’m not ignorant enough to not acknowledge the fact that racism does in fact still exist with our society today. However, by calling this a race issue is only going to continue the segregation that sadly still does exist within our society between the blacks and whites.

By giving attention to this, rather than treating the effigy as any other act of vandalism, we are only fueling the idea that segregation still does exist between the races. If this had been a John McCain effigy, would we have reacted the same? No. Therefore, by reacting in this manner on campus and throughout the nation, we are acknowledging that segregation does in fact still exist.

Only by treating this as one of the same will we ever overcome this, and that lies solely in the hands of the attitudes of our media and political powers at hand. Not until we learn to ignore these incidents will we create a more equal nation. We must build a nation that does not have affirmative action, a black history month or other influences that will continue to divide the two races, or else the race issue will not die.

Obviously the race issue cannot be that important to the nation as a whole. Otherwise, we would not have a black candidate running for the president.

If a tree falls in a forest, and nobody hears it, does it make a sound? No. If we no longer give attention to a division between the races, will segregation between them exist? No. Let us change our nation NOW, by changing our attitudes toward this issue and acknowledging the ignorance in our own actions.

Heath Towery

chemical engineering junior

We are deeply saddened by this week’s events. An effigy of presidential candidate Barack Obama was put in a tree on our campus.

We cannot and will not tolerate hatred and ignorance on this campus. This malicious act is deplorable in not only our eyes, but in the eyes of the student body as well. As a collegiate chapter of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious civil rights organization, it is our duty to take action. We will be monitoring the situation and also working with other student-led organizations to create a plan of action to rectify this situation.

In the past five years this has been the fifth incident of extreme intolerance and social injustice. We as a student body cannot allow a sixth. In order for that to be possible, we must educate one another and have serious and effective dialogue. In addition, we need a fundamental change in the way we think. As a majority, our social compass is on the right path, but it is our duty, as that majority, to correct the mindset of a small minority of students with malicious intent; the administration can only do so much.

I encourage each student who reads this to take a stand and fight for justice and change. The next meeting for our chapter will be Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. in room 205 of the Student Center. I encourage all to attend to discuss this and other matters further.

UK Chapter of the NAACP

As reprehensible as this is, what crime would the individual(s) responsible be charged with? It’s when we’re most disgusted, when our passions run highest that upholding the right to free speech is most important. Restricting anyone’s free speech is a threat to everyone’s.

To paraphrase Voltaire: I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

Bjorn Westergard