NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #31/NN_1992_31.iso/spool/misc/educatio/5607

Internet Message Format | 1993-01-01 | 3.8 KB

Xref: sparky misc.education:5607 soc.culture.african.american:13370
Path: sparky!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wupost!spool.mu.edu!agate!dog.ee.lbl.gov!news!nosc!ryptyde!galan
Newsgroups: misc.education,soc.culture.african.american
Subject: Re: What A White Person Learned in College About AfAm Culture
From: [e-mail] (Greg Gross)
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
References: <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 92 23:18:11 PST
Organization: NetLink Online Communications, San Diego CA
Lines: 81

[e-mail] writes:

> .
> >
> > So what's your point?  The sky is blue.  Simple truth.  Also irrelevant.
> >
> >>Like I said, if you don't, you don't. And come to think of it, who cares
> >>if you don't?  We hardly need your approval.
> >
> >>Make all the comparisons you wish, for whatever jollies you may derive
> >>from it. But when you're done, an apple will still be an apple, an orange
> >>will still be an orange, and the experience of different minorities in
> >>this country will still be different.
> >
> > Certainly.  And the experiences of different people in this country
> > will still be different.  But we still find it useful to deal with
> > groups of people and it is still useful to deal with groups of
> > minorities
>
> Hi, it's me, the voice of reason.  Sorry to intrude on your debate here, but
> have a question?
>
> Just what would make you happy, either of you?
>
> I mean, the nasty tone (exampled above) developing here seem to be de-volving
> into a loop, he said, he said...  I mean, are not both points justifiable in
> this society?
>
> I work at a large (36K) public university.  I grew up here, attended school
> both here and in the deep south.  I have seen both sides of this arguemnet, a
> both sides feel justified, so, to paraphrase, what's you point?
>
> African-American students feel the very real need to look back and find their
> basis in this society that is largely indifferent to their needs.  other
> students don't see the need, because it is not as importnat to them.  Not tha
> they don't care, when the issue is developed for them, indeed they are
> sympathetic, but in the large picture, it is just not as importnat to them, a
> say working to put them selves through school, or even finding a place to par
>
> This is a big world, and i believe that there is room enough for both points
> view.  But there is not enough room for people to ignore each other.
>
> A basic principle i learned in debate.  Listening is not the same thing as
> waiting to talk.  neither of you are accepting the logic that is the
> fundamental basis for the other's arguement.
>
> If you both wish to continue this debate, great, but take it to the mail
> because I am sorely disapointed to pick up thread and see " " " " said" " ",
> becomes frustrating.
>
> How about a new topic, like the horrible failure of the academic system to
> graduate african american students?  Just a thought.
>
> back to the bickering
>
> B Turner
> Admissions Officer
> University of Cincinnati
>
>     "Views are my own, and nasty remarks will be giggled at "


B:

An interesting topic, indeed. I'm 18 years removed from the academic
environment, so it's hard for me to say what's changed and what hasn't
where the above-mentioned "failure" is concerned.

Some things, however, I expect will be perpetual.

But as long as you're introducing the topic, let's have your thoughts on
it...especially from where you're sitting.

As for the rest, will deal with that in my own way.
G.

--
Gregory Alan Gross      Welcome to life, where no good deed goes unpunished.
San Diego Union-Tribune         [phone] (voice)
P.O. Box 191                    [phone] (fax)
San Diego, CA 92112-4106        [e-mail] (Internet)