This letter is in response to Darryl Frierson’s column titled “Frat party themes a slap in the face.”

I think that you travel too far to find incidents of racism when you go to Oklahoma State, the University of Mississippi and Auburn University.

There are plenty of examples of racism right around you. In fact, if you would like a good look at prejudice, you need go no farther than your own mirror.

That’s right Mr. Frierson, I’m accusing you of being exactly what you claim is the source of your disgust: a racist.

In your article you cite examples from the three above-mentioned campuses of fraternity parties where members dressed up in obviously stereotypical fashion, portraying black people in a very unfair and close-minded manner.

I agreed with you when you denounced these acts as racist. But then you decided to be so bold as to take it a step farther saying, “The scariest thing about this is that these are not isolated incidents and probably go on behind closed doors and even may be happening on Iowa State’s own campus, just the other ‘undercover’ incidents aren’t documented because they aren’t stupid enough to let the pictures out.”

Excuse me, but what do you think gives you the right to make these very unfair and completely absurd judgments of fraternities?

What evidence do you have that these are not isolated incidents, and that they are happening on ISU’s campus?

I, for one, have been to a fair share of fraternity parties on this campus, and never have I seen anyone dressed up in a way that was blatantly degrading towards any racial or ethnic background.

You then go on to make even more unfair classifications and generalizations that are insulting, not only to those of the racial and ethnic backgrounds you point your finger at, but also to anyone that considers themselves a free thinker.

I personally think you are using propaganda to sway people to your own agenda.

How, then, can you hold your head any higher than those you claim to hate?

When will you (and many other people) realize that racism and prejudice in general is not something that can be separated by color or beliefs?

There are racists on both sides of the fence, and justifying your behavior by pointing your finger and saying, “see, look what they’re doing,” will never accomplish anything.

The only way to combat prejudice is to rise above it, and not let the pettiness of others sway your resolve.

David A. Tillinghast, Jr.

Freshman

Liberal Arts & Sciences