THE PUBLIC MIND: READER PUZZLED BY POINTS MADE IN COLUMN ABOUT RACISM

Dear Editor:

Regarding the June 17 "Be Our Guest" column, the following observations:

First, I must admit to some puzzlement regarding the title of the article: "Racism Should Not Be Used As Excuse For Mediocrity." The subsequent article contained virtually no excerpts from anyone from the NAACP attempting to use racism as an excuse for anything. On the contrary, racism was exclusively cited as the explanation as to why achievement is often times difficult for African-Americans in society generally and Cape Girardeau particularly. One is far from being reassured that the author even knows what he wishes to convey on this subject.

Second, Mr. Shelton objected to Ms. Willis' and Mr. Sterling's preference for "African-American" as opposed to "Negro" or "Black." Apparently, Mr. Shelton has little appreciation or understanding of the power of naming, who is allowed to do it, and to whom. He says "all empirical data I've seen indicates that the overwhelming majority of blacks prefer to be called black." Just how much empirical data would Mr. Shelton have us believe has already been amassed on this subject, and how much of the extant data is represented by the use of the word "all" in his boast? It would seem to me that his statement "all the empirical data" is roughly analogous to the "reliable unnamed source" ploy sometimes used by journalists.

Third, Mr. Shelton's challenge of Ms. Michael's definition of racism as requiring a power component is indeed puzzling. Shelton says that his dictionary defines a racist as one who "practices discrimination, segregation, etc." But this is precisely the point, and ironically his definition actually vindicates Ms. Michael's claim! One can only put his or her prejudices (opinions) into practice provided he or she has the necessary power at his or her disposal. Many individuals no doubt harbor strong negative opinions regarding other people or groups, but are powerless to put these into practice. They are called prejudiced but not racist. As the old song says, "you can't go to jail for what you're thinking," nor were the Nazi war criminals tried for their dislike of Jews, but because they had the power put their views into practice and in fact did so.

Mr. Shelton ridicules Michael's definition as being "straight out of the liberal handbook." One strongly suspects this handbook, like a great many other things in Shelton's article, exist only in his own imagination.

Fourth, ostensibly Mr. Shelton found much that transpired at the recent NAACP forum "interesting." Ms. Willis' remark about the term African-American was "interesting," was were William Campbell's observations. Usually when one finds something "interesting" it is a precursor to further study of the matter. One can only hope this shall be the case with Mr. Shelton.

Fifth, Mr. Shelton confessed to being "tired" and "weary" of hearing black leaders blame everything on racism. If Mr. Shelton was indeed writing out of such frustration and requires a vent for his emotions, the Southeast Missourian has a very fine format for just this sort of thing Speakout. In my opinion, this is where his statement should have been made and not on the editorial page which should be reserved for informed opinion.

Regretfully,

J. Michael Heston

Cape Girardeau