Although we do not agree with advocating violence to relieve oppression, we can somewhat understand where Chino Wilson is coming from. He is angry. Society can do that to people.

No one has bothered to ask why a person would be driven to write such a column. Instead, people are shouting "racism." These are probably the same people who call the Collegian too "politically correct." Last time we checked, being racist isn't part of being PC. In addition, African Americans cannot be racist. Racism involves a power dynamic -- power which African Americans do not have. Power that James Whitehead did have. We really resent people (including administrators) comparing Wilson's column to Whitehead's computer message. They simply are not the same.

The sensationalized reaction that Wilson's column has received indicates that when the group in power is criticized or targeted, all hell breaks loose. When the oppressed are criticized or targeted the outcry is never loud, if heard at all. Former President Bryce Jordan took far too long in coming up with a response to Whitehead (pathetic though it was). Joab Thomas, Bill Mahon and James Stewart all quickly released statements about Wilson's column. Where were these statements when a gay student in West Halls received daily death threats last semester?

They criticize the Collegian for running the column, but what they must realize is that even if the Collegian had not printed Wilson's column, his feelings and those of others like him would still be the same. Isn't it better to recognize that these attitudes exist and try to deal with them instead of censoring them or pretending they don't exist?

Wilson and several Collegian editors have been receiving death threats. Racism has really reared its ugly head -- racism that too often remains concealed. The interesting issue here that no one seems to be addressing is that white people can advocate violence against African-Americans, men can advocate violence against women and heterosexuals can advocate violence against lesbian, gay and bisexuals people with impunity. We've been listening to the Ku Klux Klan and the like for quite some time now. Whether you agree or not, don't you think it's time we listen to other viewpoints?