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SDS to hold anti-racist conferenceSince the mid-sixties, following the ghetto rebellions, national attention has been focused on various racist theories concerning social disorder. Arthtfr Jensen, Edward Banfield, William Shockley, Daniel Moynihan, Hans Eysenck in England, Carl Bereiter of Canada have been the main proponents of these ideas. Basically, there are two schools of thought: stressing the cultural inferiority of the working class, particularly non-whites, and claiming genetic inferiority. Recent examples of the popularization of these theories are the articles that appeared in the latest issues of “Psychology Today” (Dec. 1973), “Newsweek” (Dec. 1973), and “Time” (Dec. 1973), whch defended these racists and their ideas.The government and the rich have guaranteed widespread knowledge of these theories byinsuringtheir publication in many scientific and popular magazines. They have simultaneously denied this opportunity to those who oppose these ideas. Although only a handful of men have pushed these views publically, they have penetrated every major text used in psychology and the social sciences and are promulgated in colleges throughout the U.S. and Canada. However, it is important to note that leading geneticists and other scientists, (like, Richard Lewontin at Harvard, the American Anthropological Association and the Eastern Psychological Association) are involved in exposing these pseudo-scientists.Historically, big business has always built racism. Racism is used as a means of protecting their economic and political interests by dividing workers and super-^ LEVIS LEVIS LEVIS LEVIS £m lt;-i 77,exploiting a section of the poulation. In Germany, the Nazi’s used Jewish workers and students as a scapegoat for the failures of the system. These same ideas which the Nazis applied were also used in the U.S. during the 1920’s to justify the Palmer raids which imprisoned and deported thousands of immigrant workers who were leading the fight against the ruling class.Racist oppression continues today through the Talmadge Ammendment. This ammendment forces welfare recipients to work for their checks at slave wages, (about 90* per hour). The recent tuition hikes and cutbacks in scholarships have been justified by college administrations through racism. In both of these above instances, the justification is that black and latin workers and students are parasites of society and schools. This breeds racist hatred. Presently, the elite in the U.S. and Canada are finding it difficult to justify the general decline in workers’ standard of living, so these theories of genetic and cultural inferiority are being used to deflect anger from themselvesBy JOCELYN SAMUELS The two major topics on the agenda of the Forum meeting of January 13, were discussion of the forthcoming trustees’ meeting, and the value of Winter Term The problems of Winter Term, as it now stands have been extensively studied be the Curriculum Working Group. Rick Eldridge presented the group’s conclusions. He stated that while most students support the “rest androlavalirtn ” r»ffornrl Y\\r U/infoi' fkoand onto black and latin workers.The response to these racists has been tremendous. Students for a Democratc Society and dozens of other groups, such as the Committee Against Racism and various Student Governments, have cosponsored anti-racist teach-ins all over the country which have involved thousands of students and faculty. At Harvard and Staten island Community College, SDS and other anti-racist students prevented William Shockley, the dangerous quack scientist who praises the Nazi’s eugenics program and advocates white supremacy, from spreading these racist lies. At Princeton, 1,000 black and white students demonstrated against Shockley when he spoke there.Racist oppression affects not only minorities, but all students and workers. As students we have two choices. We can either accept these theories and ally with the rich, or ally with workers and organize against .them. We urge students to join with faculty, campus workers, and people in the community to defeat both racist ideas and practices. Teach-ins have been successful and should be organizedsuggestion unenthusiastically.Other alternatves discussed in the Forum were the idea of reading the ‘great books’, and giving credit for outdoors experience. Neither received much support. The trend was toward a different structure, and an equalization of class hours and workload.Several members, however, felt that the program was essentially good and that uniformity in courses was not theansivpr Dnp Fnrnm mpmhir fhafat your school. Fights against racist textbooks are starting in classrooms around the country, and they can and should be launched al your School, too. The key focus of this fight is to build a worker-student alliance and through this obliterate racism. Campus workers and community groups are constantly fighting racist attacks and we should join with them. Their fight is our fight, too.Soon, SDS will be holding anti-racist regional conferences in the East, Mid-West and the West to discuss how we can further the fight against racism Get in touch with us for literature or helpWe urge all to come to the SDS regional conferences and join SDS to further the fight against racism. SDS is in contact with anti-racist professors and doctors around the country who are willing to speak at teach-ins. If you want to have a teach-in and you need help, get in touch with us.SDS East Coast Conference March 30-31Boston University Sherman U nionConference Auditorium(’all Boston: 876-2824or353-7695methods for the selection of trustees, and corporate responsibility. A motion was passed to recommend to the Community Council that Dean O’Brien be replaced by Dean Carey as chairperson of the meeting.Chairman Andy Reding announced that Frances Fitzgerald, Pulitzer PFfze-winning author of the bestseller, “Fire in the Lake”, would be the Commencement speaker for 1974. - .......Hp iilcn Oilcan \A/hinnW»forum ruminates on winter term
Newspaper Details
Middlebury Campus
Middlebury, Vermont, US
Thu, Jan 24, 1974
Page 10
Full Page
Clipped by
Robert C.
USA 24 Mar 2024
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