It seems that the title of Mr. Christopher A. Atkinson's column in the Jan. 17 issue of The Daily Collegian was slightly unsuitable for the content of the opinion. "Critics in need of 'higher learning"' is a title that does not even begin to describe Mr. Atkinson's message or intent. Actually, I need clarification of Mr. Atkinson's intent. Was his essay really about a movie, or was it a unique opportunity to express individual frustration?

When I sat down to read Mr. Atkinson's column, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I have no idea what the Black man and women are up against in society. I can not even begin to understand the frustration that goes along with the responsibility of being a person a color. Of course, I am only a person of lesser color of European origin. While discovering what I do not know, one question lingered in my mind. How can Mr. Atkinson possibly claim that I do not know about the troubles of Black men and women? He does not even know me. Correct me if I am wrong, but he is saying that White-Americans in general do not understand. This, I assume, includes me as I am a White-American. That, however, is going to change. I am no longer a White-American, I am either a person of lesser color, a Tan-American, or a melanin-deprived individual of European descent; however, I will settle for Caucasian-American.

Mr. Atkinson says that "conscious-raising education is the solution to the system." The system that he intends to solve is the American social, economical, educational, and governmental institution. What is the problem with this institution? According to Mr. Atkinson, it consistently "dehumanizes, devalues, and even destroys the black man and woman."

Mr. Atkinson also claims that, beginning with the Native-Americans, minorities are consistently unaware of the bigotry in "the system." Native Americans helped their European brothers to make a life and then were tossed aside when their purpose was served. If you learn one thing in life, Mr. Atkinson, it should be forgiveness.

Now, Mr. Atkinson, are you blaming racial oppression on the mis-education of minorities? I think that you are saying that minorities, especially African-Americans, need to be educated about racial oppression so that they can recognize it when it happens to them. You are, of course, inferring that it will happen to them. Also, I believe that you are saying that society should be responsible for the education, the very society that you claim is so oppressive. Mr. Atkinson, if most African-Americans can not see this oppression and need to be educated to do so, then maybe it does not exist as you say. Maybe only a select few actually experience the bigotry.