Why did the well-known racist the Rev. Jesse Jackson appear here at the request of the SA Minority Relations and the Minority Graduate Student Association? Couldn’t they find another person, someone with a little bit more moderate views?

What does Jackson know about minority relations anyway? The only thing he knows is black relations. There is nothing wrong with bridging the long gap between the whites and the blacks, but why does he do it through the disguise of his so-called rainbow coalition? He might as well call it the “black coalition.”

As an Oriental American, I do not feel represented by his group, and I’m sure many other minorities feel the same way—especially the Jewish. In New York City and Chicago there have been many blacks angry over the recent flood of Oriental businessmen trying to make a living through small grocery stores and other minor businesses. Violence has erupted in many areas and the Asian merchants often find themselves sweeping the glass from their broken windows. Instead of calling a truce between the two groups, many black leaders with whom Jackson is affiliated (including the anti-Semitic leader Louis Farrakhan) have called for a boycott of all Oriental businesses. So where are you Jesse?

Another point in mind. With the recent controversy surrounding Pat Robertson’s announcement for his candidacy for president, where does Rev. Jackson fit in? Why hasn’t anyone mentioned his religious background? After all, isn’t he a Reverend (so he claims)? Personally I would definitely not want any religious leader as the president of the strongest nation on earth (I’d hate to think what he would do to Israel if he were elected). Whether it’s Pat or Jesse, I would hate it. So why hasn’t anyone said anything? Because the press is scared. Jackson only has to scream “racist” and point his finger—like the witch hunt—and before you know it, boycotts begin. CBS was already victimized and now it seems no one else wants to be the next “witch” that finds itself in a pile of hot coals.

In the future, I suggest to the organizations dealing with race relations to find a more moderate and realistic person to speak. Not this racist disguised as a civil rights leader.

ace relations are so important right now to this country. If we want to become number one, we must pull together and make this country what it can be, the best nation in the world.

Unfortunately, people like Jackson will hold that goal back.

David Lee

freshman

political science