This is a response to the article on Monday, Jan. 30 titled "University to sponsor controversial speaker" and the opinion of Scott Heckman on Tuesday, Jan. 31 titled "Anti-Semitic speaker."

Our primary question is, why is Scott Heckman and others who share his views so upset about something that has yet to happen? Mr. Conrad Muhammad will be coming to the University to speak on a subject titled "Key to Survival on a Predominantly White Campus." We fail to see how he can get anti-Semitism and hatred out of that title. Heckman says, "... many, perhaps all, of Mr. Mohammad's speeches focus on racism and hatred to incite the emotions of the black community."

Our second question is, how many, if any, speeches of Mr. Muhammad has Heckman attended in order to make such an all-inclusive statement? Or is he getting this view based on the fact that Mr. Muhammed is member of the Nation of Islam and the media portays the Nation as being "anti-Semitic."

Our final question is, what is Heckman afraid of? Is it that mere words which, as of this date, have not been spoken can cause "a general feeling of hatred between the races." GET A GRIP. One speech cannot control our minds nor dictate our actions.

Furthermore, Heckman expresses the fact that "our" (does "our" mean non-minorities?) tuition and parents' tax dollars are paying for Mr. Muhammad's presence. As if we don't pay tuition and our parents don't pay taxes. If in fact that is where the money is coming from then -- good. We would rather see a program that retains minorities on this campus rather than sit back and watch them leave.

In closing, we would like to say no one should speculate on the content of Mr. Muhammad's speech. After Feb. 4, we can voice our opinions based on fact and not fiction.