Racist Remarks from Speaker of UWM Student Senate
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is at the head of a serious controversy.
The Speaker of the Student Senate, Kyle Duerstein is the under fire for what some believe are racist comments against black people. The comments were made on PantherTalk Live, a campus blog run by Duerstein, about four years ago.
The entry, dated November 12, 2005, reads: “If mainstream black anglo-hating racists can’t find a way to function in normal society and use the intelligence that God gave them, perhaps they ask to be held down and discriminated against, and placed back into slavery.”
In 2006, Duerstein wrote: “I know that a lot of black kids growing up these days do work hard” and “Unfortunately, it has been my experience that those folks are in the minority of their race.”
What is normal society you may ask? In my opinion, it’s the society dominated and created by white people. It was not designed for black people–or any other “minority” group for that matter–to succeed in easily. We did not “ask to be held down and discriminated against”, nor did we “ask to be enslaved”. We give that credit to the Europeans. Does Kyle think today’s statistics that 40% of Black men in Milwaukee are unemployed is a voluntary event? Kyle, who is a white male, has no idea what it’s like to be a black man in this society.
Now I won’t say there aren’t any lazy black people in our society, but Kyle can find lazy people in any race. Should they (as an entire race) be discriminated against and placed into slavery? Why is it that he chose black people as the example for his comments? Why is it that the actions of some black people wind up being the center and front headline for the actions of the entire race? I work hard as a young black woman, and I refuse to be looked at and judged by the negative actions of my people. One black person does not represent the entire black population, and these prejudiced remarks must come to a rest.
Many people say that Duerstein should not be fired as Speaker of the Student Senate because he has the right to free speech. However, these people don’t realize that Duerstein has a lot of power in determining how student groups (like the Black Student Union) are funded. As a UWM student, I can testify that many students, not only in BSU, but white students in other groups, have complained that the Black Student Union is not receiving a fair share of money compared to other groups. Also, these comments were not isolated incidents. The proof that the the two comments are one year apart proves that his feelings are concrete and evident in his everyday thinking. This is a major problem.
UWM has not fully investigated this situation, nor do they plan to in my opinion. Vice-Chancellor Tom Luljak released a statement saying, “While freedom of speech is extremely important on a university campus, we would hope that all students treat others with respect and dignity.” source: http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/62765777.html
Many students, both black and white, are rallying together for Duerstein impeachment. UWM students have received no apology from Duerstein, and he continues to defend his remarks. An ignorant, cold-hearted person like this should not lead the student body.
I will keep you all updated on this situation as petitions calling for the firing of Duerstein continue to circle the campus.
Blackness
Giant
Shakara
steele
nfholton1
haylov0204
thefaqs101
tmd editor
Everyone-
I wanted to take the time to address you all regarding the anger and outrage over comments I made four years ago on my blog. The anger and outrage you are feeling is legitimate. The comments I made on my blog were very inappropriate; they were wrong. There are not enough ways in the modern dictionary for me to sufficiently say that I am sincerely sorry for the remarks that I made four years ago. An apology is simply not enough.
That is why I would like the opportunity to demonstrate, through my actions and through collaboration, that I am not the individual who made those comments four years ago. I am on a different life path, and have had different experiences, that have completely changed not only my outlook on my own future, but have opened my eyes to a number of different things. My life experiences since I wrote those comments have proven that those comments are wrong. They were as wrong and inaccurate then as they are now, but at the time, I didn’t know any better, and could only comment based on my experiences up to that point. Further, it was very unfortunate that the reporter in the news story on Channel 4 chose to edit his story together in the manner he did. My apology for those comments was not included in his story, and I was portrayed in a manner that would make viewers believe that I still feel that my comments four years ago hold true, or are legitimate. That is not what I believe, and I should have never believed in what I wrote. Unfortunately, at that time I did.
No matter what I do, I will not be able to change that I grew up in a small suburb of Milwaukee that is mostly white, went to a school district that has less than 30% minority students enrolled, and entered my adult life with views that I am not proud of. Those views have changed, and will continue to change, as my life experiences shape how I view the world. I will never be able to shed my past; my only option is to improve myself.
I will never be able to fully understand what it is like to be like someone other than myself. I will never know what it is to be denied access or opportunity because of the color of my skin or the history of my ancestors. However, knowing that full comprehension is near to, if not impossible, is never a reason not to try.
Despite the current negativity regarding my comments, I believe that something positive can come from every situation. I believe that by working together, we can bring to our campus an open and honest dialogue about race. We are the future, and we need to take it upon ourselves to build upon the progress that has been made, to bring more progress at a faster pace, and resolve the issues that we have as a nation with regard to race and race relations in America. Dialogue must be part of the solution, and I hope more dialogue can come from this issue.
I am truly sorry for the comments that I have made and the anguish it has caused to everyone. I am not perfect. I wrote things that were not only inappropriate and wrong, but are damaging to constructive dialogue and positive improvement. I was part of the problem four years ago. Today, I strive to be part of the solution. Please allow me that honor.
With sincerity,
Kyle J. Duerstein
He is incapable of chaninging his views if he continues to resides in a community with thirty percent minority. He needs to move to an urban area where the majority of the residents are minorities.
Thank you Kyle, this is what we’ve been waiting for! I pray that you views have really changed and that this apology is truly sincere!
bulllllllllshit.
Duerstein’s a racist fuck and always will be.
Apologies can be purely political, especially when mobilization is suggested against the one making disparaging remarks. I say to all, “keep a top eye open” and pay close attention. Always remember that recall is an option, it is the voice of the people that must be heard and racists can’t be tolerated, even though they are unavoidable, simply based on the apologists’ reasons for being the way he/they are. Actions will manifest the true nature of a human being.