The Alachua County Branch of the NAACP has sent several letters to the
Independent Alligator expressing our concern about the cartoon depicting
Condoleeza Rice and Kanye West and the words as mentioned several times over
the list serve.  In addition, I must say that I am happy about the response
from students, faculty and administrators.  Tonight, the Justice in Media
Coalition, which includes the NAACP, Ministerial Alliance, NPHC, Martin
Luther King Jr. Commission and others will meet to discuss this issue along
with two other issues at Rep. Ed Jennings Office, located off of N.W. 16th
Ave (in the Plaza where Terrell's Bar-B-Q is located.

We have for a very long time discussed the affect and effect media has had
on African-Americans.  The Independent Alligator, TV-20, and the Gainesville
Guardian are recent examples in Alachua County of the disrespect that media
has for the African-American community.  More importantly, it is hidden
behind excuses like "we would like to move in a different direction," "it is
commonly used in pop culture and by African Americans," and "we owe you no
explanation."

Not only must we continue to fight these battles, but look for alternative
media sources or develop our own if we want the words and images of media to
reflect our thoughts. I am already in contact with many of the businesses
that advertise in the Alligator and I am offering them alternatives to reach
the UF community and the Alachua County African American communities.  For
it is easy to tell businesses not to advertise in a newspaper, but you must
be ready to provide them with an alternative and comparable source.  We must
develop a strategy that states that we will not tolerate or support
behaviors that are contrary to this learning environment.

Dr. Michael V. Bowie