In a recent Northern Star article (“Minority Groups Foster Understanding” Nov. 3), BSU representative Tim Ivy’s comments reflect an attitude that will help bigotry and racism to thrive at NIU. Ivy admits there are black bigots but states that it is “almost a curse to be born black” and that not every black is secure enough to deal with that. The reality behind Ivy’s rhetoric is that he is condoning one-sided prejudice.

White racists all have their own excuses for being prejudiced against blacks and other groups. Some of these excuses sound just as convincing as Ivy’s. There are plenty of excuses for every kind of bigotry, but there are no acceptable reasons.

Don DeGrazia

journalism