Simpson Leads Student Exchange on Race

Honesty and thoughtful exchange marked an "intimate dialogue" about race relations at a student discussion moderated by former Sen. Alan K. Simpson.

The event, which was sponsored by the Harvard-Radcliffe Democrats (HRD), the Black Students Association (BSA) and the Institute of Politics (IOP) in honor of Black History Month, drew about 40 people to the Lamont Library Forum Room last night.

Participants exchanged views on affirmative action, media portrayals of minorities and "colorblindness" as well as Harvard-related topics like appellation of house "masters."

Simpson shared several moving anecdotes about his youth in largely white Wyoming and his tenure in the Senate, which included debates about immigration and the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

"We came from a background where there were no blacks at the University of Wyoming when we were there--none," Simpson said.

Simpson said his understanding of race was partly shaped by living near the Hart Mountain Relocation Center, a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II.

"They brought people to that center in cattle cars--and they were U.S. citizens," Simpson said. "The camps were surrounded with barbed wire and searchlights...That was shocking."

"We did that to the Japanese because we could identify them," he added. "We didn't do anything to the Germans because we couldn't identify them."

During the discussion, several participants questioned whether calling house masters by a term associated with slavery was appropriate. One student said she believed the word was racially charged and asked whether she should feel anger.

Ann Simpson, Sen. Simpson's wife, cautioned against being oversensitive, but also said students have a right to feel upset.

"You don't need to ask permission," she said. National issues were also discussed.

After one student voiced a defense of affirmative action, Rachel L. Brown '01, a self-proclaimed "token conservative," related a story about quotas at a local school.

"Not to say that there's anything wrong with diversifying a class, but it just bothers me that there were white students who weren't given a chance," Brown said.

Organizers of the event compared the tone favorably to that of the Tuesday panel discussion between Winthrop Professor ofHistory Stephan A. Thernstrom, Boston Universityprofessor Abigail Thernstrom and Professor ofAfro-American Studies Lawrence D. Bobo.

"I thought the tone of the forum [on Tuesday]was a bit hostile," said Michael J. Passante '99,president of HRD. "They had two liberalAfrican-Americans and two conservative whitepeople arguing. It gave the whole event a verynegative tone."

By contrast, Passante said he believed theevent stressed dialogue and cooperation.

Jason D. Williamson '98, president of the BSAsaid the discussion was designed to promoteinteraction among attendees.

"Throughout the year we've been trying toinitiate a dialogue about race," he said."Although it can get tiresome, these are the stepsyou have to take."

Williamson praised Simpson for his sense ofhumor and ability to make people comfortable.

Although the discussion shied away fromelectoral politics, the participants expressedprimarily liberal viewpoints. At one point, astudent told Simpson he thought he was the onlyRepublican in the room.

Both the Harvard Republican Club and theHarvard-Radcliffe Republican Alliance were slatedto be official co-sponsors of the event, but noone from either organization was in attendance

"I thought the tone of the forum [on Tuesday]was a bit hostile," said Michael J. Passante '99,president of HRD. "They had two liberalAfrican-Americans and two conservative whitepeople arguing. It gave the whole event a verynegative tone."

By contrast, Passante said he believed theevent stressed dialogue and cooperation.

Jason D. Williamson '98, president of the BSAsaid the discussion was designed to promoteinteraction among attendees.

"Throughout the year we've been trying toinitiate a dialogue about race," he said."Although it can get tiresome, these are the stepsyou have to take."

Williamson praised Simpson for his sense ofhumor and ability to make people comfortable.

Although the discussion shied away fromelectoral politics, the participants expressedprimarily liberal viewpoints. At one point, astudent told Simpson he thought he was the onlyRepublican in the room.

Both the Harvard Republican Club and theHarvard-Radcliffe Republican Alliance were slatedto be official co-sponsors of the event, but noone from either organization was in attendance