Mr. Milloy:
Over the past two years I have read a number of your columns and at times I have agreed wholeheartedly with your analysis and advice, while at other times I have disagreed but nonetheless respected your opinion and rationale. However after reading your column from Sunday Oct. 31, 2005 "How Bush Visit Became the Siege of Howard" I was utterly disgusted and turned off forever. Not only was your column inaccurate but it was also a tremendous misrepresentation of and disservice to the Howard University student body and the black community as a whole.
The words you used to recount the events that took place last Thursday on Howard's campus were painfully reminiscent of the stereotypical and racist media images that blacks in this country have fought for so long to remove from the minds of this nation. You depicted the student body of the world's foremost Historically Black College or University (HBCU) as nothing more than a group of intellectually inept, politically aloof negros who were driven into a wild frenzy because they were denied access to their sacred fried chicken and collard greens. If it weren't for the fact that your words are staring at me in black in white I would find it completely unfathomable that in 2005 someone would have the audacity to engage in such demagoguery. Your choice to depict Howard students in such a stereotypical manner, in one of the most widely read newspapers in the world, was a choice to set back the struggle against racism nearly a hundred years.
In addition to your resuscitation of "Minstrel Show" imagery, you presented inaccurate facts. The students were not protesting because they could not gain access to the cafeteria so that they could partake in soul food Thursday but rather because they could not gain access to President Bush so that they could partake in serious dialogue about his policy issues and perceived neglect of African-Americans. Once again we were denied a seat at the table of power not the table of "chitlins and cone-bread." Furthermore, as you will soon find out, many Howard students still have a flare for political activism. In recent years, Howard students have participated in a myriad of political efforts such as anti-war rallies, objection to genocide in Sudan, pro-Affirmative-Action demonstrations, anti-police brutality crusades, and most recently the Millions More Movement. Additionally, many students are engaged in daily work in the local community to combat issues such as homelessness and educational deficiencies. It is also important to note that a number of Howard students are currently involved in the campaigns of several local politicians.
Your gross misrepresentation of the Howard student body was slanderous and highly irresponsible. It shows that you have neither a regard for the collective image of the black community nor an appreciation for its plight. As America honors the legacy of Rosa Parks it pains me greatly to see that nearly 50 years after she took her courageous stand it is now one of her own that is promulgating the very injustices that she and countless others fought so hard to destroy. I have no other resolve but to demand that The Washington Post no longer carry your column and that you issue a formal apology as your last remarks to its readers.
Sincerely,
Aaron J. Nelson
Howard Alum
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Sunday, November 6th 2005 at 8:08PM
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