Many remain silent over protest

Most black students are remaining silent about the protest against The Daily Pennsylvanian last week, during which a group calling themselves the "Black Community" confiscated nearly 14,000 copies of the newspaper. While no individuals have come forth to claim responsibility, many students within the black community were not involved -- and some disagree with the protestors' actions. One black student said that he was not involved in the protest, adding that he disagreed with the vague attribution to the "Black Community." "For me, personally, the 'Black Community' was a very broad generalization," said James Dollworth, a College junior. "Maybe the majority of the black community would have been a better thing to say." "Neither group was in the right," he said. "I don't agree with what [columnist Gregory Pavlick] says, but he's entitled to state his views. That's what the letters to the editor are for -- so you can write in and disagree with what he says." Two statements released to outside media sources attempt to explain the reasons behind the protest. One statement, released by "Members of the Black Community" to the Associated Press, was not signed by any individuals, but did contain a campus telephone number. This number belongs to Black Student League Treasurer and Engineering freshman Diallo Crenshaw, BSL Corresponding Secretary and College freshman Greg Denny, College freshman Chris Lake and Engineering freshman Cardell Orrin. After being contacted last night, neither Lake nor Orrin would comment on their involvement in the theft of the papers. The statement cited the DP as one of the "many institutions that exploit" the black community. It said further that the newspaper in particular "has made attempts to belittle Blacks on campus." As examples of this, the statement cites a photo which ran last fall showing a black man consuming an alcoholic beverage, poor coverage of black campus events and the "insistent degradation of the Black community by certain columnists." In addition, the statement said that the "[Black Community has] articulated that great care needs to be taken when dealing with . . . a historically oppressed group," but added that their concerns went "unheard." The statement added that these "Members of the Black Community" who took nearly 14,000 copies of the DP "are not opposed to free speech or the diversification of opinions." Rather, members were "protesting [their] dissatisfaction with the newspaper," the statement says. The statement also warned that the "Black Community" will not be "passive and allow [their] community to be slandered." Another statement was released by a group calling itself the "Working Committee of concerned Black and Latino Students." It is unclear if these two groups are affiliated in any way since they contain no signatures. This statement, released to the Washington Post, stated similar reasons for the paper theft, as well as accusing a University Police officer of hitting a student protester. The statement said that "a group of concerned African-Americans" took the papers to protest "the blatant and covert racism continually perpetrated by both institutions and individuals on Penn's campus." In addition, this statement said the protest was "not in response to specific events or individuals." Black Student League President Kaplan Mobray promised that a statement would be released to the DP last week, but no such statement has been received. Mobray was unavailable for comment last night.

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