"Nate Should Correct His Ignorance"

"Nate Should Correct His Ignorance"

This letter to the editor from Leslie D. West responds to Nathan Gay's "Contest is Racist" column with a scathing rebuttal of Gay's major points. West argues that the Ebony Man contest was not to denigrate whites or hold black men over other men, but to correct systematic and continuing inequalities that strip black men of their pride. These include negative stereotypes of criminality and laziness. The Ebony Man contest sought to instill a sense of pride in its contestants through the beauty pageant format. In addition, West argues that the new African American cultural center was not built to exclude whites, but to create a space where people of all races could discuss issues of African American culture and history.

Leslie D. West

Leslie D. West, "Nate Should Correct His Ignorance," The Technician vol. LXXII no. 57 (February 11, 1991), 6.

1991-02-11

Cheryl Dong

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This letter is in response to Nathan Gay's "Contest is Racist" article that appeared in the Feb 8 Technician.

The reason that you don't understand the Ebony Man (that's two words, not one) contest is obviously due to your overwhelming ignorance as to what the contest is about.

The Ebony Man contest is not a contest based solely on physical appearance. Had your opinion been based on fact, you would have discovered that the Ebony Man contest was a contest that judged contestants on their talent, oratical ability, self expression, issues awareness, and impromptu speaking. The purpose of the contest was to uplift the black male's image, which people like you continually try to downgrade, and to dispel the negative stereotypes that surround the black male. But of course you didn't want to know the truth. Do you really think that African-Americans here at N.C. State would concern themselves with such trivialities as beauty contests when we must constantly battle racism, discrimination, and ignorance? You must be crazy or at least misinformed. I'd say you are both since your opinion was based on the name of the contest and not its purpose

As for the "space where African-Americans hang out," that was not what it was built for. African-American students, faculty, and staff fought to have a place where people, both black and white, could come to know the issues, concerns, realities, and joys of African-American culture. No one is excluded, but perhaps you don't feel comfortable in the African-American multi-purpose room because you've never been there or your own preconceived notions keep you from seeing what really lies behind its doors. It's people like you, quick to criticize and judge without knowing the facts, that make it difficult for all people, not just black people

Had you asked an African-American student about either the Ebony Man contest or the African-American multipurpose room in the new student center annex, you would have known the truth. Instead you choose to be ignorant and look ignorant.

One more point, Mr. Gay. Have an Ivory Man contest if the purpose of the contest is a positive one that doesn't denounce the culture and heritage of another race. However, if your reasoning for such a contest is to suggest that white people should be able to do it too, then you need to think of something else. The Ebony Man contest was open to African-men to make them feel good about themselves. If you and your people had experienced what our African-American men have continued to experience each day, you know what I mean. But of course, you really don't get it.

If racism means trying to find positives in your culture, your roots, then you are right, the Ebony Man contest was racist.

But like a lot of white people you have no concept of what racism really is. To you, racism is when any black person tried to better himself and his people to the exclusion of whites. That's not racism. That's self-preservation.

And I've seen you, Mr. Gay. You're really ugly for Ivory Man. But an Ebony Man you're not and never could be, even if you were black. Why? Because the contest exemplified intelligence, not ignorance!

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