This is a letter in response to Michael Bond’s letter “Based on Fears” which is, in turn, a response to James Hart’s letter, “Opinion Off Base.”

I find your letter to be full of many upsetting inaccuracies. For one, Michael, your definition of racism defies explanation. You define it as “a means by which a majority or leading person uses their political, economical, or social standing to repress and oppress one of less stature.”

Where did you get this definition? Certainly not out of a dictionary. A quick glance at Webster’s New College Dictionary will reveal the true definition of racism to be, “a belief that race is the primary determinate of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.”

Michael, your definition seems to describe that of a fuedal landlord or a military dictator. Remarkably, you leave out any mention of race. Whether or not the entire white male species fits your definition is your opinion. However, don’t attempt to use your opinion to change the definition of a word to make it more to your liking.

Another great point is your statement to James that he is “part of all this power.” Once again, a stereotypical conclusion that all whites have power. For your information most white parents both hold jobs and work to put their kids through school.

The white working class suffers from lay offs, job hazards, and fringe benefit cuts, as does the black working class. They don’t have “the power” to control their own destinies. For the most part, the masses still must work daily for a living and hope that come tomorrow they will still have a job.

Finally, the assumption that blacks are oppressed is false. An oppressed person is one whom is completely closed out of the political process. The recent election of L. Douglas Wilder to the governorship of Virginia and of David Dinkins to the mayor’s office of New York, our nations largest city, proves this assumption false.

On the other hand, a repressed person, or people, are those whom do not get out of the political process what they put in. If anything, blacks are repressed.

In essence, Michael, your letter reflects your pent up anger and frustration. This is understandable. However, you must remember that interpreting a fact is different than changing it. In deliberately twisting and manipulating the facts to meet your liking, you do nothing to advance your cause. It only angers those whom you are attempting to instruct.

Bob Hoban

Junior

Political Science