EDITORIAL: Blatant Racism

student and employee to attend one of its events, White Women Against Racism undermined its own mission. ___________________________ On Tuesday evening, Engineering junior Janili Davis and University employee Bah-Bai Makenta had planned to attend a meeting of the White Women Against Racism because they were curious about the organization. Despite their genuine intentions, both were turned away. Justifying her actions, Women's Center Director Elena DiLapi, who runs the group, said, "Before we can enter into meaningful dialogue about culture and racism, we have to examine ourselves first and examine those issues." DiLapi explains that the Women's Center has programs for black women, just as it does for white women. However, we must remind her that the doctrine of "Separate But Equal" was struck down in this country over 40 years ago by the Supreme Court. At a University plagued by unparalleled racial tension in the last two years, this move is reprehensible and cannot be accepted. Students from across the University should not only be allowed, but encouraged, to participate in discussions about racism and other ills plaguing our society. This incident also raises the issue of a University group's right to close publically advertised meetings and events to members of the University community. Last week, for example, Daily Pennsylvanian staff members were prevented from attending a forum between members of the Black Student League and the Rutgers University Black Student Union because it was believed that their presence would interrupt the flow of the discussion. But in order to have a campus where free expression and dialogue are paramount, all events and forums advertised as open to members of the University community should be open to everyone. To do otherwise constitutes outright discrimination. With regard to the White Women Against Racism, the University administration must send a clear message that the days of Plessy v. Ferguson are over. Whether man or woman, black or white, no one should be turned away at a University event. DiLapi and the Women's Center, already criticized for being exclusive, should take notice that this behavior will not be tolerated. If the center is to receive campus funding and exist on Locust Walk, it must serve the whole University.

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