Cal Poly partiers accused of racism

I get the feeling that “racist” has a slightly different meaning to some than it does to me.

For me, “intent” is fundamental to “racism.” To them, “insensitivity” is all it takes to qualify. The more mature and informed that people are, the more likely that insensitivity shows true racism but college age kids aren’t always particularly mature and membership in a fraternity or sorority is a good indicator of that. (A desperate need for peer-approval seems to be the only logical explanations why people willingly subject themselves to the humiliation prerequisite to joining and the self-destructive “group-think” that occurs afterword.)

I am glad that the Armstrong and others spoke out and condemned the actions — they were stupidly insensitive. But let’s save the “racist” label for those whose intent is at least obvious if not provable. I doubt that most of those involved have learned to make a habit of thinking about others’ reactions to their words and actions prior to speaking and doing. This should be an “educational” moment and punishment — if any beyond public censure — should be appropriate to that purpose. While some involved may already be racists and a few others may well “mature” into that category, lets see if we can bring the majority of them into a real maturity in attitude rather than driving them into the racist camp as a response to over-reaction on our parts.