Zia's ad is 'inconsiderate of diversity on campus'

Once again I am surprised at the ignorance of some of the people on this campus. I don't know why it continues to surprise me either.

I guess I thought that at an institution of higher education, I could expect people to expand their minds and rise above such narrow-mindedness. I'm referring to the Zia Records ad put in the Thursday issue (page 7) which has a Caucasian woman draped upon a male of African descent. Great, right?

Look, the Wildcat is supporting integration!

Anyway, the problem is that the male has beads wrapped around his head and a fat bone pierced through his nose like a tribal member from Africa, while the woman is looking as civilized as can be. I'm not denying the fact that my African ancestors decorated themselves with beads and had body piercings. However, those are cultural traits which should stay within their context.

Traditions like that should not be tarnished by a record store ad put in a college newspaper, whose function is to "disseminate news to the community and to encourage an exchange of ideas." To exchange ideas is one thing, to publish ads that are inconsiderate of the diversity on this campus is something different.

My people are not publicity stunts! We were not created to serve as eye catchers in a record store ad. I, as an African-American student, am not as disturbed that such an ad was created as I am disturbed by the fact that an editor of a college newspaper, at the college I attend, would allow it to be printed.

The inability to recognize racism only perpetuates such thinking. If you're not sure, ask.

By Reggie Banks (letter)
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 10, 1997