When I looked at my roommate’s Tuesday (Feb. 24) edition of the Daily, I observed something that made my jaw and heart drop. It was an article describing the Black Student Alliance’s response to a racist e-mail. The word “nonissue” was used to describe it.

I attended the Big 12 Conference on Black Student Government at Kansas State this past weekend as well. I have also worked closely with all of the institutions that participate in the council during my time at Iowa State. This letter, which was unsigned, is filled with the hatred, bigotry and ignorance that still thrive in this nation.

Someone actually did not believe it was appropriate for black people to come together for purposes of something contrary to the typical negative stereotypes portrayed by the mainstream media.

Amidst cries of diversity and equality, there are those in society who continue to fly under the radar and who are still dedicated to taking away everything black people have worked so hard to get over this nation’s history.

This is an issue.

I commend the conference attendees who showed tremendous character in not allowing such a cowardly act to alter the aims and focus of the conference. I understand this was the best response at the time.

But when does it get addressed? At what point will we miraculously realize these are not random events? Every time something like this happens, everyone tries to downplay it, as if it couldn’t happen here in little Ames, Iowa. Besides, if it’s not at home, what do we care anyway, right?

Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, Kansas, a town of 45,000 people. In two years, the Big 12 Conference will be hosted by Iowa State. If it could happen in a quiet Midwestern town like Manhattan, why couldn’t it happen here?

If, as participants of higher education, we continue to turn our backs, the cycle will inevitably perpetuate itself. I’m not just talking about African-Americans; I’m talking about everyone.

During the only month of the year black people are “allowed” to celebrate their history, we simply take the claims that African- Americans are “powerless” as a literal slap in the face by taking it as a “nonissue.”

This after Dick Gregory, a renowned civil rights activist, spoke at the same conference on not becoming complacent

and continuing the fight for equality. If this is not an issue, then what is? If the leadership of our black community is not willing to address this, then no one will.

The Big 12 Council is filled with individuals who are dedicated to fighting bigotry and racism at any cost. Tolerance of ignorance is not and will not be an option. We will not stop until the eradication of this racist mindset is complete.

How will we do it? As El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (also known as Malcolm X) once said, “By any means necessary.”

Brad Johnson

Former President

Black Student Alliance