Views Discrimination

Views Discrimination

In a letter to the editor, students take issue with a previously published article titled "Southerners Speak Out On Integration". Sykes, a Black student who was born in Alabama and raised in Maryland felt that article generalizes Black people's opinions on integration. Sykes clarifies that he is by no means trying to speak to his entire race, but disagrees with the idea that "the majority of southern Negroes don't want integration any more than the southern whites." He points out that because of economic inequality that falls on racial lines, "In Many southern communities, Negroes have found economic security in their ghettos and passively accept the existing way of life, but this can hardly be counted as a vote of confidence for segregation." Sykes also endorses the article that was written by Dr. Shows in support of integration.

Sykes then points out that even though Middlebury may be geographically distant from Little Rock, the College is not immune to the racism that is at the root of the controversy. The author highlights how students are still rejected from greek life organizations on the basis of race and/or religion and how the administration and students who are not involved in the organizations are complicit due to their inaction.

Volume 53, Number 7

Charles L. Sykes

The Campus

10/31/1957

Charles L. Sykes

"As long as the administration of the College sits passively by and students follow suit, the situation will remain as it has been. Any time a student is denied membership in a fraternity because of religion or race, it is a direct reflection on the fraternity and the school which sanctions such an organization."