I am saddened with the direction the fight for diversity at our university has taken. After reading Allan Nosworthy’s letter to the Daily on Monday and all of the coverage since then, I can’t help but to feel sickened, frightened and outraged.

I don’t have a problem with the war The September 29th Movement has appointed itself to fight. As a member of the Movement, I am a comrade-at-arms. I understand that our university, which is supposedly the best land-grant institution in the nation (if you listen to the administration), is seriously lacking in the diversity department.

I know there is no possible way we can be the best if we do not embrace diversity. I know this university will remain in the dark ages forever if we do not remove Carrie Chapman Catt’s name from Old Botany.

I also know the name will come off of the building, even if Allan and others have to pay for it with their lives.

Allan has made a conscious decision, whether or not you believe it is rational, that diversity at this university is a cause worth his health and even his life.

I applaud that decision. I’m glad to know his convictions are strong. After all, how many people do you know who would embrace death unflinchingly for a cause they believe in?

You’ll notice I’m constantly referring to Allan’s death as if it is inevitable. In one sense, it is. We all die a little bit more everyday, life slowly slips between our fingers constantly. Nobody knows if his life will tragically be cut short.

But we are all obligated to use our lives in the best way possible. Fighting to end racism and embrace diversity is certainly one of the best ways to dedicate one’s life (not to exclude the many others).

So, I understand why Allan has concluded it is necessary to protest the administration’s refusal to talk about diversity.

Some people will think Allan is being too drastic in his actions. I ask those of you who believe this, what else could he have done? The September 29th Movement has almost exhausted all avenues of creating dialogue on this subject. They have knocked on the door repeatedly and been refused admission every time.

I hope the administration will take Allan’s proposals very seriously. It would be in the best interest of Allan’s health to do so.

But more importantly, it would be in the best interests of the university.

It is clandestine to believe our university can continue the way it is.

It is unfair to expect anyone to embrace a building named after a proven racist and xenophobist, especially when it houses several multi-culturalism departments (which is certainly ironic in its own sick and twisted way).

Something has to give and I hope for everyone’s sake it is the administration.

This game has gone on long enough and I am sick and tired of playing it. I’m fairly certain everyone is. There is not one single request the administration should object to.

Unfortunately, I’m afraid the administration will object, not only to the requests (although they will probably term them demands before Allan’s protest is through), but also to our pleas to shorten Allan’s suffering as much as possible.

The administration will never admit defeat, even if it is morally right. They will simply let Allan wither away and chuckle because his demise means one less opponent they will have to deal with.

But I hope President Jischke opens his eyes and realizes if he fails to prevent Allan’s debilitation (and it is completely in his hands to stop it, although he would never admit that either), the student body is going to create the worst public relations scenario in this university’s history.

President Martin Jischke, I would like you to open your eyes and realize the truth about what is going on. This is no longer a laughing matter. How would you feel if your mother was called “white trash?”

How would you feel if Catt’s racist remarks were reversed and uttered by minorities directed towards your family? Would these comments be “regrettable” then? Would you name a building after these people?

I sincerely hope your answer is no.

I would like to wish Allan the best of wishes in the coming days. Your struggle will always be paramount in my mind and my prayers will always be with you. Keep the strength, brother. Fight the good fight, my good friend. And maybe we’ll all be able to celebrate when diversity is prevalent at this university and Old Botany is renamed McGriff-Nosworthy-Wondwosen Hall. It couldn’t have a more deserving and dignified name.

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Ben Jones is a sophomore in English from Des Moines.