Racial Double Standard for Student Writer?

FoxNews ^ | 4/23/04 | FoxNews

[wagglebee]

COVALIS, Oregon — Barred from writing columns for the Oregon State University Daily Barometer, senior David Williams is in the eye of a storm some call a racial double standard. The newspaper's editor fired him after he wrote: "I think blacks should be more careful in deciding whom they choose to support. They need to grow beyond the automatic reaction of defending someone because he or she shares the same skin color and is in a dilemma." Williams, who is white, was referring to examples such as when singer R. Kelly (search), who is accused of being a child pornographer, received a standing ovation at the Soul Train Music Awards. He also cited past support for O.J. Simpson (search) and Allen Iverson (search). "I guess this case has shown me that just because I'm a different skin color, the merits of what I wrote have been marginalized and ostracized to the point that I'm labeled everything in the book like racist, Nazi," Williams said. A similar article, written just two days earlier by Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Leonard Pitts (search) drew no such outrage. Pitts, who is black, wrote: "Blacks ought to be more thoughtful about whom they choose to rally around, ought to be less automatic in leaping to the defense." Although Williams admits he read Pitts' article before writing his own, he wasn't fired for plagiarism. And he was canned only after protests erupted on campus. "I think he was fired because he's white," said talk show host Lars Larson (search). "If he had been a black student saying the same thing ... as Leonard Pitts wrote the same thing ... Leonard Pitts' opinion was welcome. His opinion was not." Black leaders on campus disagreed with Williams' firing but admit they protested against the article and didn't take the same action for Pitts because of their different races. Williams "does not know the experiences African-Americans have gone through. He will never know that," said Lauren Smith, president of the university's Black Student Union.

[wagglebee]

Williams "does not know the experiences African-Americans have gone through. He will never know that,"

These leftists comment all day long about American life and they don't have a clue what real life is like.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

I believe he paraphrased the original article but since he is white he's not "qualified" to comment. Blatant double standard. And it's dismaying to see the automatic reactionary protest.

[nothingnew]

Hope David Williams uses paragraphs when he writes.

FMCDH

[anobjectivist]

Following the logic of the people attacking the author, if you aren't a president, you have no right to criticize one with your opinions.

I bet that suggestion would leave them furious.

[no_problema]

i'll never forget being robbed at gunpoint in portsmouth, va when i was in the navy by blacks. my friend was knocked out.

in a separate incident, another friend was cut from bicep to wrist with a switchblade, about 3/8 inch deep. they were after his eyes; he raised his arm to protect himself as he charged through them and to safety.

[goldstategop]

If you're white and make a true but unflattering comment about blacks, your life is effectively over. Honest racial dialogue is verboten in America and its a pity David Williams crossed the unspoken line every one knows is there. The Left will enforce conformity to ensure non-liberal opinions about Black America are never heard in polite company.

[wagglebee]

Yeah this guy better watch out he may be investigated for doctor shopping soon.

[Riverman94610]

Not necessarily so.
I had a Jewish friend at work who constantly criticized affirmative action and "lazy m

---

" on welfare.He did this in front of many black co-workers and was never called to task because of it.
Why?Because he lived"in the hood",had Black step kids and was always there when a black friend or co-worker needed his advice or help.
I work part time in a pretty rough school in the hood.I NEVER hold my tongue when it comes to charlatans like Jesse Jackson and his ilk and I call the young"brothers"on their BS all the time.Yet I get respect cause I GIVE respect where it is due.
It makes all the difference.

[Ronly Bonly Jones]

Williams "does not know the experiences African-Americans have gone through. He will never know that," said Lauren Smith, president of the university's Black Student Union.

>>>

Until these racist black nazis take over, in which case he will and more.

[joesnuffy]

Being right aint a bullet proof vest

[FairWitness]

Leonard Pitts comment on Mr. Williams column: Ignorance, racism live together in harmony

Mr. Pitts shows some sympathy for Mr. Williams because he is "young", but basically ends up concluding that whites just don't understand the black condition, and need to be "taught" how to respond.

[Tarantulas]

Here is the article written by David Williams. If you scroll to the bottom of the page, you can leave feedback. Maybe some people would benefit from that.

[antaresequity]

I would argue that most of the 'blacks' in this country don't know what it is to be black.

The further you get away from slavery and racial injustice...the worse it gets.

I say buck up and get on with it...

[Polonius]

The newspaper's editor fired him after he wrote: "I think blacks should be more careful in deciding whom they choose to support. They need to grow beyond the automatic reaction of defending someone because he or she shares the same skin color and is in a dilemma." ... A similar article, written just two days earlier by Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Leonard Pitts drew no such outrage. Pitts, who is black, wrote: "Blacks ought to be more thoughtful about whom they choose to rally around, ought to be less automatic in leaping to the defense." Although Williams admits he read Pitts' article before writing his own, he wasn't fired for plagiarism.

This paper is being quite cowardly in cutting David Williams loose because of some criticism, but it does look like they may have had good reason to dismiss him for plagiarism.

[LA Conservative]

There is only one black experience and one black opinion, according to the Stalinist Politically Correct Police, and don't question the wisdom in that, you racist (unless you're Bill Clinton).

[Flightdeck]

Yeah, I read the article and it was very patronizing. He very clearly stated that white people are ignorant about matters of race and that black people need to teach them. It works both ways.

[Arpege92]

"Williams does not know the experiences African-Americans have gone through. He will never know that."

Please enlighten me....I'm a white female and I have never known that child pornography is an African American experience. R. Kelly is busted with child pornography and that's black experience? Give me a friggen break.

[Arpege92]

"Mr. Pitts shows some sympathy for Mr. Williams because he is 'young', but basically ends up concluding that whites just don't understand the black condition, and need to be 'taught' how to respond."

Instead of trying to teach Mr. Williams how to respond to black issues in a politically correct manner, he should direct some "teaching" in Jayson Blair's direction.