The issue of reparations for slavery is not one to which I have given much thought. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I understand, but am not completely satisfied with the Collegian's explanation for deciding not to run David Horowitz's anti-reparations ad. The problem is that the current political climate on most college campuses prevents us from hearing views like those of Horowitz. We need to hear them. The issue of diversity has become one of which many are afraid to voice certain opinions. They fear the intense backlash that showed itself on campuses that ran the ad. People are afraid to say the wrong thing when it comes to race. As a result, the debate suffers because we don't get to hear all arguments. I am of the opinion that the problem of racial tension on this campus is not as simple as many make it out to be. It has become a two-way street — one due to the behavior of whites as well as blacks. We all are at fault.

Also, we have to be careful in how we go about trying to solve the problem. Let us not lose our heads. When a racial incident occurs now, I am concerned for the offender as well as the victim because of the present atmosphere all across the United States. The "diversity machine," as it has been called, has become a force that will aid in keeping the races separate. It can be a positive force, but it can also be oppressive. It can drown out certain opinions. We need to open up the debate concerning race here at Penn State.