Caucasian Club founder decides to leave school (Update)

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | Tuesday, October 21, 2003 | Jose Antonio Vargas

[presidio9]

It's 11:40 a.m., the middle of lunch break at the only high school in Oakley, and freshman Lisa McClelland is at home.

The 15-year-old says she's not going back to Freedom High School.

Her push to start a Caucasian Club at her predominately white school -- in predominately white Oakley, population 25,000 -- has made national headlines, causing harassment, she said, from fellow students. She hasn't been at school in nearly two weeks and doesn't plan to come back. With her parents' consent, she has decided to transfer to La Paloma, a continuation high school in nearby Brentwood.

[xrp]

you

[norton]

Last time I was in the Bronx they had Italian, Greek, Kosovar, Celtic, and Black BLOCKS.
It's still segmented and, if not segregated, at least identifiable by the country of someone's grandparent's origin.
Only natural to have each group form their own clubs - it used to be that way out here (L.A.) as well but most of the european groups got over it.
Having done that, they seem to have come up with no alternative other than to be "the bad guys" or "the norm" (not any more)for others to hammer at.

[BushisTheMan]

She needs to take her case to the ACLU and see if they plan to sue the other clubs at the high school. If not, she needs to sue the ACLU! She has a great case if they turn her down.

[Redbob]

"Most of U.S. history glorifies the experience of individuals and groups of people who are white. That is the norm."

Couldna said it better myself!

[Redbob]

"Ask one of them who MLK was..."

And they'll likely say,
"Wasn't he the guy that built all those streets in bad neighborhoods?"

[The KG9 Kid]

"... My Caucasian Club in High school was commonly referred to as the AV Club."

In mine, it was the student parking lot near all the musclecars and cigarette smoke.

[Kenton]

So this girl was driven out of school based on racial harrassment? She was subjected to that kind of harrassment solely because she was white, and she tried to do what black and latino kids get to do without question?

I hope she sues the living crap out of the school board.

[Clemenza]

True about intermarriage. I'm Third-generation, raised in the northeast and am of Polish/Italian heritage. The only reason there are so many single-origin Italians still around is that there are SO MANY of them! ;-)

BTW: I don't buy the idea of "Hispanics" forging a single identity. Granted, if you are a meztizo from Guatemala living surrounded by meztizos from Mexico, you will assimilate into that culture. Nevertheless, try telling a (usually white) Cuban that he/she is the same culture as some Chicano in California and they will go berserk (as they should).

[nosofar]

Most of U.S. history glorifies the experience of individuals and groups of people who are white. That is the norm.

So what's the point? Most Americans are white. I expect most of Chinese history, for example, 'glorifies the experience of individuals and groups of people who are' Chinese.

[presidio9]

I have a buddy who is blond haired and blue eyed 100% Spanish Cuban. When he was applying to college, that did not stop him from entering "hispanic" under race. He ended up going to Yale. I say "good for him."

[Clemenza]

I know of a Panamanian Jew raised in Florida who did the same thing. If its there, take advantage of it.

[Dialup Llama]

>"The East County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said it vehemently opposed the name of the club, calling it culturally insensitive."

Ironic, considering that the term Colored People is pretty insensitive itself.

[Wallace T.]

Hispanic immigrants have tended historically to migrate to specific regions of the country: Mexicans to the Southwest and, to some extent, the Midwest; Puerto Ricans to the Northeast; Cubans to South Florida and the New Jersey/New York area. There is snobbery among the Latin American nationalities, just as there are in the Anglosphere, or among Italians. One sure fire way to insult an Anglo-Canadian is to confuse him with an American! Northern Italians have a well-known disdain for their fellow countrymen from south of Rome. Yet, at the end of the day, the various "Anglos" and the Italians recognize that they have more in common with each other than with other nationalities.

Were affirmative action and ethnic agitation to magically disappear and the Feds effectively seal the borders, Hispanics of all backgrounds would slowly assimilate via intermarriage with whites in a century or so. After all, most Hispanics are at least partly of European ancestry, basically European culturally, and traditionally Catholic, albeit with a growing Protestant minority.

However, with immigration from Latin America out of control, various Hispanic nationalities are penetrating parts of the U.S. and even Canada where they were hertofore almost unknown. I have read where Mexican immigrants have outnumbered blacks in North Carolina and Georgia factory or farming communities. Additionally, I understand that there are neighborhoods in New York City where Mexicans are replacing Puerto Ricans and other Carribean Hispanics, who had previously caused whites to move away. With serious political problems in Columbia and Veneszuela, and the fact that any working class Hispanic can quintuple their income by moving to San Diego, Des Moines, or Baltimore, I can foresee nothing but continued, unabated Hispanic immigration.

I hope you are with regard to the unlikelihood of intra-Hispanic merger. If they did unite, our country may be plagued with Latin power brokers a la Jesse Jackson, but with much more clout.

[Clemenza]

I lived in Miami for three years and have spent most of my (admittedly short) professional career dealing with Latinos. Most of the Latin professionals you meet down in Miami (not just the Cubans) are of European heritage, including a close associate of mine from Colombia who was of English and Scottish ancestry.

Unfortunatly, 70% of all Latin immigrants are poor peasants from southern Mexico. Even here in New York, most of the dishwashers, pizza makers and line cooks you see are either Mexicans from Puebla or Ecuadorians.

[AlbionGirl]

Who will see to progress once Whitey's gone?

Like it or not, the White man is responsible for the progession of Civilization, to date.

Who was responsible for the Renaissance (sp?), the White Man, that's who. Who was responsible for the Industrial Revolution, the White Man, that's who. Who was and is currently responsible for the technological explosion known as the Internet, the White Man, that's who. And who can forget those memorable Romans, they were White.

The Yellow man invented gun powder, but it took Whitey to come up with the democratization of it's use, which in turn led to the steady offing of desposts and tyranny cranks the World over.

The Red man was no match, he saw the locomotive racing across his plains and thought to himself, I can't defeat this enemy, no way, now how! Pass me the peacepipe, will you Cochise?

Remember the old saying, 'never underestimate the number of White people out there.'

Disclaimer: My Black acquaintances tell me I'm not really White, because I'm Italian.

[xrp]

I tried discussing white contributions to virtually creating all of society with a black American (and a friend) and all I got hit back with was liberal mantra spewings.

[AlbionGirl]

Well that's what happens when superior thought meets inferior thought. There's no denying that the White Man is responsible for the March of Civlization. You can't argue the opposite and be believable.

I don't understand the inferior mind in this matter. When I read that Asians perform better than Whites on IQ tests and SAT tests, I don't care. I don't suddenly become enveloped with a feeling of inferiority. That is a kind of insecurity that is most, most distasteful to me.

What happened to just facing the truth? Who knows why the White Race was so technologically superior? Could it be due to geographic determinism? Probably. When your freezing your ass off in some cold climate, you probably start to envision how to make life more comfortable, and little advances lead to bigger ones. Contrast that with living in a hot and deblitating climate that produces nothing but indolence, and maybe even rage.

Who knows why the White Man understood from early on the need for law and contract and punishment by death for evil deeds. The Red Man knew some, the Black Man some, the Yellow Man quite a bit I think, but it took the White Man to organize such beliefs in a way that spread furiously across the globe, and lifted Man up.

The White Man is the King of Civilization, no matter what anybody says. And as a consequence the White Man should be proud but not become complacent, and all other races should strive to emulate if they desire real, lasting, fully merited achievement.

[Young Werther]

I substitute teach. Fortunately I haven't been "observed" or reported when I go into my racial rant, (actually its a soft, logic based approach).

Whenever the opportunity arises, and it's usually a "black" who uses the "r" word, you know RACIST!!!!!!! I respond by defining the word ethnic vis a vis race!

I explain, that to the best of my ability I don't believe that my ancestors came from the Causcas region. I then explain that mitochondrial DNA studies of Eskimos, Japanese, Australian aborigines, Native Americans and Europeans and all the major ethnicies have determined that we all share a common great grandmother 10,000 generations ago (200,000yrs/20yrs). She lived in Ethiopia so "WE'RE ALL OF AFRICAN DESCENT!

I then point out that skin color is an environmental adaptation. I use Charlize Theron, who was born in South Africa, as an example of ethnicity.

One night she was guest hosting on SNL and announced that she had just received her American Citizenship! She then brought the house down by announcing "I guess that makes me an African American!" The kids "get it"!

[TopQuark]

Instead of a “Caucasian Club”, she should have started a club for students of European heritage.

That is exactly right! Clubs should be about the culture, not race.

[wolficatZ]

If she would have done a little research and preparation she probably could have avoided all the negative backlash.

 

 

Lisa McClelland, 15, says she has gotten 245 signatures in support from students, adults and others on and off campus. (Nader Khouri/Contra Costa Times)

 

 

 

FORMING CAMPUS CLUBS AT HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE?

European-American student clubs can be a lot of fun, but there can be some resistance toward them at this time. Surprisingly, the most opposition will come from members of "white" elite groups. Some non-European Americans will view your application for a club with initial apprehension, but that will fade when you explain your purposes to them.

CLUB PURPOSES

Develop the purposes of the club before approaching school or college administration so that you and your friends have carefully thought through your ideas for the organization. Review the guidelines or rules at your school or college for starting a club.

EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE

We are organizing to provide information about European American diversity and European American contributions to both students and faculty. We are committed to carrying out an educational program centered around the month of October each year, at which time we will strive to educate students and faculty at our campus about European American diversity and European American contributions. Planning and executing our October educational events will be our prime activity around which we will structure our organization. October is European American Heritage Month.

ANTI-RACIST PURPOSE

We are anti-racist. We oppose racist slurs and negative stereotypes directed toward ANY student or group of students on campus, including those directed at European Americans.

WAYS & MEANS

You will find that you and your friends will need to make several commitments in order to be successful.

(1) All club meetings should be open to any student or faculty member. Some students won't want to attend, but they would find a bar to their attending very objectionable.

(2) Membership should not be limited to blood descendants of indigenous Europeans. The membership requirement should welcome all members who share your educational and anti-racist purposes as stated above and support the EAIF Principle Purposes, notwithstanding their continent-of-origin.

(3) Your High School club should not be centered on college preparation, because that will result in a club membership that is not interested in publicizing European American diversity and contributions. The best focus for your club is to prepare and carry out educational activities, especially during October.

(4) You must be vigilant in guarding against those who might seek to use your club to make negative statements about European Americans or others. Some administrators and faculty will assume that your club intends to do this, and it is vital that we not be negative.

(5) Be positive, but be aware that some school administrators or faculty may not be comfortable with your ideas. Do not be confrontational, but be persistent and respectful in your efforts.

(6) Choose your language carefully. For example, avoid the word "pride" and use "decent sense of self-respect." Most terms and phrases used by other ethnicity-based groups are simply not available to European American groups because they would trigger a torrent of abuse. It's not fair, but it is the way things are at this time.

(7) When speaking of any other racial group, use the term "non-European/American" instead of naming any other racial group. That keeps the focus on European/Americans rather than diverting the conversation to some other group's grievances.

(8) If people automatically assume that you are a white supremacist group or rascist, then repeat our motto: The European/American Issues Forum is a moderate and thoughtful civil rights organization dedicated to the eradication of discrimination against and defamation of European Americans. We do not denigrate or slur other racial/ethnic groups and welcome those who support our policy.

A MEMBER

A full, voting member of an EAIF club in a school is any student body member of that school regardless of race, religion, age, ethnic background, sexual persuasion, and gender, who has been accepted as a member of the club. An alumni member is a former E/AIF student member of that school. An alumni member is invited to meetings and activities, but cannot vote. The membership fee is at the discretion of the individual school.

RECRUITING MEMBERS

The best way to recruit members is from classroom discussion. Take an active part in such discussions and regardless of the subject, try to steer it toward ethno-racial decent sense of self respect, privileges, and responsibility. Be aware of people who seem sensitive to our cause and start encouraging them to stand with you in establishing an EAIF club.

Example: In a speech class, speak about EAIF recognition and note any positive reaction.

Example: In a history class, make your term report on something that is relevant to European Americans and ask if you can give an oral report on it.

Another way to recruit members is, in casually talking with people between classes, to bring up the subject of European American rights in the context of small talk. Again be aware of those who are in agreement and start encouraging them in a formation of a club.

If there is a speaker program featuring well known authors, journalists, government experts, or civil rights activists, show up, ask questions and see if there would be further potential members.

Call an informal gathering to discuss forming a group and ask each attendee to bring one person to the follow-up meeting. The first few gatherings should be considered gatherings with the sole purpose to recruit members.

At first, word of mouth is best to publicize the new club. The club will start small and gradually grow larger and larger. An ad can be put in the campus newsletter or pinned on a bulletin board but this may be misinterpreted and cause a tidal wave of hostility, which a small organization could not handle. Ads and notices can be employed after the club is larger and more established.

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

There are two types of organization structure that can be built. The superdemocratic one where officers are elected yearly and all policy must be voted on after debate, or the "one man" organization where one person becomes the president who in turn asks others for their advice and help.

Regardless of which organization structure used, monthly meetings should be held, special meetings called when needed, treasurer report read, and all officers required to attend all meetings and functions.

GETTING RECOGNIZED

Now comes the hard part. Administrators may be reluctant to recognize a European American Issues Forum group. Be positive, be active, be persistent, and you will succeed.

Learn the procedure in your school on starting a group/club and how to get an advisor. Generally this is in writing and the head of a department should know how to access it.

Present your club plan to the appropriate staff member and follow procedures.Contact student officers and see if they would consider supporting EAIF issues. Also contact important outgoing students who command attention.

PROJECTS

There are several things your European American club can do to promote knowledge of European American diversity and contributions. One thing would be to create, copy, and distribute a calendar page for October, showing some event each day on which some meaningful thing happened to Europeans or European Americans.

Make a list of European Americans such as Ronald Reagan, who have made contributions to this country. Recognize the vast contributions of European Americans in medicine, science, engineering, etc.

Hold an essay contest or an art contest with the theme of an element of European American diversity (something about Celts or Slavs, for example) or contributions (something about airplanes or written constitutions, for example).

Make an exhibit in the school library or student union during October picturing several positive contributions of European Americans or Europeans.

Do research to determine if the School Board has adopted resolutions supporting Heritage months for other racial/ethnic groups. If yes, then petition the Board for a European American Heritage Month.

Read and discuss the book "The Shadow University -- The Betrayal of Liberty on America's Campuses" by Alan Charles Kors and Harvey A. Silvergate.

KEEP US INFORMED

As time goes on, kindly send us emails letting us know your success or questions. Good luck!

Eaif@aol.com

http://eaif.org/m1.htm