September 19, 2005

This past Saturday members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity met and decided to take action on the Alligator/N-word  issue. We will send a letter to the Independent Alligator requesting an apology. As they have yet to apologize to anyone, we suspect that they will not apologize to us either. At that point, which will be within days of the letter's arrival at the Alligator, we are going to send letters to the Alligator's advertisers making them aware of the situation and asking them to withdraw their ads and support from the independent Alligator. We intend to continue this course of action until the Alligator apologizes for its use of the word and insensitivity.

We considered asking for Mr. Marlette to be fired, but came to the conclusion that the editors who signed off on the cartoon's printing were to be the targets. Mr. Marlette is an artist with an opinion. His drawings and opinions, however, are as silent as yours or mine until the editors of the Alligator agree to print it. Second, Mr. Marlette is an employee of the newspaper with little knowledge or regard for the business aspect of the newspaper. The editors will understand fairly quickly the impact of a loss in revenue. Finally, removing Mr. Marlette from the paper would only create a vacancy for a new Marlette. If the editors do not "get it" then this event will happen again with Mr. Marlette or the new Marlette. We need to ensure that the editors "get it".

It is clear that the Alligator is trying to muddle the issue with justifications and social commentary on the "hows and whys" it used the word. First, no group has the right to tell another group what they should and should not be offended by. This attitude of paternalism is residue from a time when the N word was all too prevalent. Second, the editor and the cartoonist seem to have formed their ideas about the word and it's use from pop culture and BET videos. I would prefer they gained their ideas about the word from history and videos like "Eyes on the Prize".

Alpha Phi Alpha has always taken a stance, and not only that, but the lead, on social issues that degrade and dehumanize African Americans. However, we are by no means claiming exclusivity of the matter: any person or organization may pursue the course of action they think appropriate.

We will keep you informed of the matter as it progresses and welcome your ideas and input as we deal with this issue the way we have dealt with every other similar issue - together.

Ray McKnight
President, Nu Eta Lambda Chapter
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity