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From Harold Ford's "Papa Don't Take No Mess," Spring '92.From Harold Ford's "Papa Don't Take No Mess," Spring '92.· A couple of weeks back, Philadelphia '76ers basketball star Charles Barkley proclaimed himself a "90s nigger" in response to reporters' dogged questions as to what possessed him to take a 30-foot off-balance jumper that missed in the final seconds of a game against the Chicago Bulls. Had it gone in, it would have clinched victory. He said that had he not scored the 30 or more points or grabbed the 10 or more rebounds he had previously in the game, the 76ers would not have been in contention that afternoon. Barkley defined a "90s nigger" as a person who does what he pleases and is not hindered by what whites -- or anyone for that matter -- thinks of him. Not the words I would have used, but if that's the definition, Charles is definitely one. And so are a whole lot of people, including some white guys I know. They behave differently. Certain people try their best to do what's best, whether the crowd appreciates it or not. "Whoa, fella," you say, "Charles was talking about black guys, not white ones." Maybe, maybe not. For the sake of convenience, let's just assume he was degradingly referring to everyone. · After the announcement that South African Justice Ismail Mahomed would deliver the 1992 commencement address, several members of my class expressed dismay and outrage over the selection. As an aspiring lawyer, I could not have been happier because Justice Mahomed will likely play the most crucial role in developing the first democratic constitution in South Africa's long, cruel history. Call me an idiot, but I think that's pretty remarkable. This is something I can tell my kids about, as well as my grandkids. However, one of my classmates was quoted in The Daily Pennsylvanian as saying that, "It would have been nice to get someone from America that anyone had heard of. If they . . . " -- Who is they? You think he's talking about Charles Barkley and the "90s niggers?" -- " . . . want to get a minority, they should get Clarence Thomas." Yeah, or why not Michael Jordan, for that matter. He's one of them minorities also, you know. How myopic. Someone put this guy in a world history class. Better yet, someone put him in an American history class and teach him about them "minorities." One would think that an Ivy League education would swell one's learning pores - or at least instill a little bit of class. For some, unfortunately, I guess the school did neither. The selection of Justice Mohamed represents a splendid opportunity to gather first-hand knowledge of what it's like to be the first black to sit on the Supreme Court in racially divided and hostile South Africa. Justice Mohamed's appearance allows the graduating class of 1992 to assess this man's temperance and intellect as he prepares to tackle the most formidable task of his life -- writing a constitution. Do you think the University of Pennsylvania's graduating class of 1774 would have reacted angrily to finding out that Thomas Jefferson was coming to deliver their commencement address? Jefferson, if you did not know, would later author the Declaration of Independence and cement himself as one of the towering figures in American history. In many ways, Justice Mohamed's present position is tantamount to Jefferson's, Hamilton's and Jay's. When you think about it, he's not that bad of a choice, huh? Just because he didn't dedicate his life to making as much money as possibe or to gobbling up global press attention, it doesn't make him or his message any less impressive or powerful. It is shameful that of all the educated and uneducated minds in this United States of America, Ivy League minds are condemning this man for committing himself to the principles of humanity and humility. He has committed his life to making life better for others. Something that -- as we prepare to graduate - we need to hear and take with us. I commend the Senior Class Board, President Hackney and everyone else who played instrumental roles in this selection process, for a job well done. We know you could have gotten a glitzy, well-known figure -- you could've, right? -- to come talk us through our hangovers. But you demonstrated courage. In fact, you behaved like Charles and his so-called "90s niggers" would have . . . Differently. · Harold Ford is a senior History major from Memphis, Tennessee. Papa Don't Take No Mess appears alternate Thursdays.

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