As I read Roy Exum's editorial on the resignation of the University of Missouri's president I was once again saddened by the official/unofficial status given to someone to voice opinions that pacify the unspoken attitude of many in the community. There is the aligning of right/wrong, good/bad, positive/negative so many times along racial and ethnic lines. The perception is that those who are voicing pain or discomfort or fear should just be patient, be stoic or be quiet and grateful to live in this great society where racism and injustice are merely echoes and shades of a so easily forgotten past (Market Street bridge).
Acknowledging there is a "right way" to respond to wrong activity, he immediately connects peaceful protest with violent repercussion to oppression and a despicable act of violence located 125 miles away and still being redacted to reduce or eliminate the insensitivity to the majority to those outside its confines of comfort.
Evidently there was allowed to exist, if not fostered, a climate of intolerance that was perceived to make it allowable to treat some students with impunity. Evidently this carried over to the point that those who had the option of speaking out because of their contribution to the bottom line of collegiate funding through their athletic departments were to sell out their brothers and sisters and remain silent, keep picking and singing-it will all be better, bye and bye. Evidently there were others of conscience who were aware of the situation, not only seven percent, who did not agree with and found unconscionable the notion of standing by without adding their support to those who were being maligned and denigrated.
In the end, the "right way" succeeded. There was no rioting, no violence, no National Guard or local police in militarized gear. There was a very poignant statement that all people should have a voice and there should be an ear to hear.
Bobby G. Black
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As I sat down to type an emailed resonse to Roy Exum's editorial regarding the resignation of the University of Missouri's president, I scrolled down and read the comment written by Bobby G. Black...There was nothing left to say. Well said, Mr. Black.
Glenn Scruggs
Chattanooga