There still are racist views held in this country towards African Americans. There is no doubt about it. One of the main sources of the problem is the media. I was surprised to read that one of the reparations Mr. Williams sought in his editorial was empathy administered through the media. Because there is still racism in our present climate should not lead either sides of the table, black or white, to assume that African Americans are not given a fair share of reparations. I’ve come to the conclusion based upon personal experience, that for the most part, the amount of reparations has become excessive.

First, because of new labor codes in this country, Affirmative Action, employers are required to reach a certain quota, or hire a certain amount of minority workers before they hire white Americans. Instead of hiring the best person for the job the employer is now forced to meet the quota before he/she begins to hire based upon a person’s skill. My father is an ironworker in Chicago’s Locale 1. He is often laid off, even though he has over 30 years experience, because his local is required to meet the quota set by the government. The inability to perform the job he/she was hired for is often characteristic of the group that slip in under the quota. In the summer of 1994 this resulted in the death of an ironworker on the job.

Secondly, there is money available to African American students who need extra financial aide, reparations that are not made available to white students. There are also classes available here at SIUC that aim to enhance students knowledge of Black American Literature, an aspect Mr. Williams may have overlooked . The list could go on, but that would cover up the point I’m making. We, both African American students and white students, should find a common ground on which we can work together to solve today’s problems instead of separating ourselves, which in the end, statements like yours on the Jews will achieve.

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