Posted on 12/18/2003 7:34:29 AM PST by rface
.....among the statements made to Clemons, in jail at the time on a domestic violence charge, was a reference by Stewart, wife of Associate Athletic Director Ed Stewart, to whites as "crackers." Floyd, the wife of UM President Elson Floyd, suggested that Clemons not date white women.....
Few events in recent school history have forced the University of Missouri-Columbia campus to reflect as hard about its leadership and its values as the controversy surrounding the Ricky Clemons tapes.
Several students took time out from their studies to share their opinions about how inflammatory comments contained on the former player’s taped jailhouse recordings would affect their school. Many students, such as Aaron McCarter, a senior from Lee’s Summit, considered the racially charged statements by Carmento Floyd and Amy Stewart as damaging to the school’s reputation as Clemons’ allegations about corruption in the basketball program.
Included among the statements made to Clemons, in jail at the time on a domestic violence charge, was a reference by Stewart, wife of Associate Athletic Director Ed Stewart, to whites as "crackers." Floyd, the wife of UM President Elson Floyd, suggested that Clemons not date white women.
Elson Floyd has publicly apologized for his wife’s comments and has said he does not agree with them and that he doesn’t think they accurately reflect her sentiment. But, McCarter, who was playing basketball with friends at the student recreation center on Friday, said he harbored doubts about the president’s true beliefs.
"If the wives said it, you gotta wonder if the husbands are saying it, too," he said. "And if the husbands are saying it, that’s a problem. We’ve got a racist university."
McCarter, who is white, said he has not witnessed racism at MU, but the public perception that racism exists could undermine the school’s credibility as an institution committed to diversity, he said.
"It’s not just the students but the parents who decide what college you go to. And parents don’t want their kids going to a racist university," he said. "I know my parents wouldn’t want me coming here."
Sophomore Candace Jarrett of St. Louis, however, chose to reserve her judgment about the wives. Jarrett, who is black, said people should not take the comments at face value because views about race among blacks are often complicated.
"I’d have to hear their tone," Jarrett said. "Sometimes the tone of the conversation will tell you more than the actual words will."
Contrary to the views of many white students, Jarrett said racism does exist at the school and that the statements of white students about the remarks of Floyd and Stewarts’ wives are a reflection of the level of mistrust.
"I’m sure there were a lot of people waiting for something small to blow up into something big like this," she said.
Students, such as sophomore Michael Gardner of Scott City, considered Clemons’ allegations about MU basketball players receiving money as false.
"I don’t think Ricky Clemons is a credible person," said Gardner, who is white. "How many times has he been caught lying?"
"As far as I’m concerned, as long as the FBI and the NCAA haven’t said there was anything wrong, then we can’t take" Clemons’ "or his girlfriend’s word for it," said Mike Coutts, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Both the FBI and the NCAA have said they’re investigating matters related to accusations involving money and academics at the MU men’s basketball program.
Shetoya Russell, a black freshman from Chicago, found the reactions of her schoolmates more surprising than the allegations themselves. A former track athlete recruited by colleges during her senior year in high school, Russell said offers of cash are part of college athletics.
"It’s not right," she said, "but it’s been happening for a long time, and it happens a lot more in other places than at MU."
Allyson Bailey, who was walking out of Brady Commons on Friday evening, said she was more upset at the school’s continued emphasis on athletics over academics than the scandal itself.
"Anytime you ever hear about MU, it’s about athletics," said the white junior from Dixon. "Some of the brightest minds come out of this university, and it’s time that’s recognized instead of just our athletes."
Complicated? But they are real easy for "crackers" I guess.
Elson Floyd has publicly apologized for his wife’s comments and has said he does not agree with them and that he doesn’t think they accurately reflect her sentiment."
I'll just BET he doesn't agree with her! LOL!
I think the newspaper in Kansas City had transcripts on their web site. A local (Des Moines IA) sports radio show brought this up last week and I think that's where they found the transcripts. They read parts on the air - hilarious and tragic at the same time.
who'da thunk it.
If it had been a white woman using a racial slur about blacks, it would not be considered a "small" thing by this woman.
They have links to recent daily issues from today's front page (here) if you'd like to follow the news as it broke over several days. Scroll down...they are in the yellow left-hand column near the bottom.
My take from the "front lines" so to speak...this is really big. And it's getting ugly.
Somebody oughtta go down for this one (not that I have much confidence that that will happen).
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