Last night, tears and angry words marked the justifications and rationalizations presented in the lecture "Stop Reparations Now!" by the Reverend Jesse Lee Peterson.About 40 students sat in the auditorium in Hosler Building to hear the lecture, sponsored by the College Republicans, on a topic centuries older than themselves.
Peterson is the author of the book From Rage to Responsibility and has made guest appearances on many television shows to publicize his negative views on civil rights groups such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as well as his open criticism of the Reverend Jesse Jackson as being "a racist demagogue."
"I bet you guys thought I was white when you heard him [describing] me talking about Jesse Jackson," Peterson began, taking the podium after an introduction by a member of the College Republicans.
Speaking on his childhood, growing up in Alabama with an absentee father, Peterson explained that as an adolescent, he had felt anger for his situation. He said he began to feel free of this hatred after learning to focus on religion and forgiving his parents.
Peterson's provocative comments produced scattered shocked comments by audience members.
"I think he's mistaken and narrow-minded," said Aleem Boatright (senior-nuclear engineering), a member of Penn State's Black Caucus. "He's about as close to racist as a black man could be."
Abiola Seriki (senior-English) was in tears after Peterson's presentation.
"We're in college and we're seeing that," she said, motioning to the auditorium where Peterson remained to respond to additional comments. "What's going to happen when we go out to the streets? What are we going to see there?"
Chris Miller (junior-mechanical engineering and economics) is a chairman for the College Republicans. Miller said he had heard lectures by Peterson before and felt better able to understand his position after them.
"Knowing a little background, I understand what he's been working with," he said, siting the difficulties and opposition Peterson has faced as being an African American in the conservative Republican Party.
Miller added that the idea of opening a discussion on race had motivated the group's choice to have Peterson as a speaker.
"It's a topic that's been tossed around the editorial pages and the Penn State community," he said.
[ Thursday, Sept. 26, 2002 ]
Reparations lecturer sparks heated debate
By Natasha CahillCollegian Staff WriterPHOTO: Julee JarrettRev. Jesse Lee Peterson shares his belief on reparations in 26 Hosler Building.
