Monday, 7/14/97 Letters LETTERS:
Who are you to judge? The Viewpoint column by Adjoa Middleton
("Mixed Culture, No Culture," July 7- 13, 1997) was so white-phobic
and offensive that it needs some balance. First of all, I am not
clear whether she is writing based upon personal experiences or
sound statistical sampling. If the former, I suggest counseling; if
the latter, then my own experience is an anomaly. Ms. Middleton
writes, "Many interracial relationships are plagued with racism and
stereotyped fantasies." Then, referring to racial stereotypes in
movies, "These character images are often the backdrop of
interracial relationships … but the biased perspective of one
assigns an unfortunate role for the minority partner. Interracial
relationships often become stages where partners act out these
bizarre dynamics, creating an environment that portrays the
minority partner as the objectified fantasy victim. Many white
partners act out the role of the adventurous rebel in their
interracial relationships. These stereotypes provide evidence for
some of the unguided curiosity that initiates some interracial
relationships." How does she know these things? I am in an
interracial relationship and none of these elements exist within
it. Our relationship is based upon the same core elements as any
primary life relationship: Trust, attraction, intimacy and love.
How dare she accuse me and/or my partner of some "unguided
curiosity" or one of us being an "objectified fantasy victim?"
Isn’t her writing simply a clear example of objectification and
prejudice? Ms. Middleton, please do not base your viewpoint of me
upon a Disney film and I will avoid doing the same to you. The
article points to one of the pitfalls of public discourse that
attempts to describe other persons: Either one should speak from
personal experience or base their opinion upon sound evidence. I am
familiar with no studies which support the claims of Ms. Middleton
regarding why and how interracial couples interact. If the story is
based upon personal experience, my empathy is with you. Philip J.
Hoskins ’64 JD Attorney at law [email protected] Right on!
This message is addressed to Victor Patton’s column on race
relations ("I’m Sorry Just Isn’t Enough," July 7-13, 1997). I agree
with essentially everything you wrote. I believe many white people
are completely off-base with regards to this fundamental aspect of
American culture, and the question of what we can do, "We the
people, of the United States," to make things better, is rarely
addressed in a satisfactory manner. The views you expressed were
strong, well founded and heart-felt. A refreshing change. Alex
Burke Graduate student UC San Diego physics department Editor’s
Note: The July 7-13 column by Victor Patton "I’m sorry just isn’t
enough," contained an error concerning the Tuskegee syphilis
experiment. The experiment subjects were not infected with syphilis
as stated. In 1932 the United States Public Health Service began a
study on the treatment of syphilis in 399 men, who contracted the
disease independently. The study followed the progress of the
disease in these men, some of whom were told they were being
treated, but were given placebos. The study was continued until
1972 and ended after it was exposed publicly. Two-wheel motion With
a sigh of relief, I read about plans for the development of the
Westwood Veloway, a bike path that will connect Westwood to Santa
Monica ("Biking in a car’s world, July 7-13, 1997). Currently, UCLA
bicyclists face abysmal conditions ranging from a lack of existing
bike lanes and aggressive police officers who punish bicyclists for
trying to survive in the bicycle-unfriendly environment of Westwood
and UCLA. Hopefully more plans such as this will continue in order
to make the area more conducive to bicycle riding, which will ease
congestion and smog levels as well. Brian Stannard Fourth-year Film
and Television