Before one speaks, one must think.

-- American proverb.

Once again, I see another Chino Wilson type forum calling for Black violence. N. Eric Bigelow, self-appointed "Afrikan" revolutionary, declares that his militant group needs a new house to study, play and fight in. Furthermore, he threatens that anyone who opposes the building of a new cultural center will be shot.

Well, in case he only reads the culturally biased articles written by Chino Wilson, Carmen Livingston and the like, allow me to give him the news: our University is underfunded. There will be no new cultural center. (Please don't shoot Governor Casey.)

Eric also took the opportunity to Greek-bash. He mentioned several problems that face the Greek community. To counter his criticism, I will mention several positive things "historically European" Greeks have done: raised countless dollars for local charities, supported programs to educate members about alcoholism and rape and raised millions to cure cancer. What has the Black Caucus done for the community?

To learn a lesson from Greeks, perhaps Black Caucus could begin a fund-raiser to pay for a new Robeson center. Not feasible? Well, since Eric speaks "on behalf of the Afrikan community" on campus, he could get them to donate their Black Achievement Awards -- the Black Achievement Award is cash given to Black students for achieving a certain GPA. I roughly estimate that it would amount to $1.4 million. That's a damn good start.

I propose, Eric, that you do not speak for the African-American community on campus. I suspect that you speak for a minority of paranoid, angry and violent students. Let me enlighten you: Violence is not the way to achieve the racial and cultural equity that America so badly needs. The next time you threaten to shoot people that don't agree with you, think before you claim to represent the entire African-American community.