The racially offensive flyers found on campus earlier this week warrant the immediate and thorough investigation the University administration has promised to conduct. Lofty rhetoric and static conservatism will not, and should not, appease the justified anger and frustration members of the black community have expressed.

In steps designed to quell racial tensions, the University is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that would lead to the conviction of the individuals responsible for the racist flyers.

Disillusionment and hurt conveyed by members of the black community and others have sparked protests and demonstrations, and encouragingly a recognition of the repulsion of these acts.

On Monday morning derogatory flyers with pointed racial stereotypes were discovered in various locations around campus. The "application" -- targeting Undergraduate Student Government president Seth Williams but directed at the entire black community -- included questions on income (theft, relief, welfare and/or unemployment?), place of birth (charity ward, cotton field, zoo or back alley?) and made references to favorite foods and number of known children. These questions demonstrate a perverse ignorance of the black experience and an obvious desire to remain ethnocentric.

Some students question the black community's outrage and assume the application is addressed only at Williams. But racist propaganda against an individual only succeeds in perpetuating racism. The derogatory flyers offend Williams and the black community because they perpetuate existing stereotypes.

The flyers are a severe example of how racist the community can be. One would only hope that the person or persons who distributed them, as well as anyone who found them humorous, are in the minority. It is a sad commentary that such ignorance of another culture is prevalent in a supposedly intellectual environment.