As the co-director of the Black Student Union, I am writing in response to the commentary by Beth Overgard (“Professor should keep attacks free of unjustified claims of racism,” ODE Nov. 15) to point out a flagrant misrepresentation of Dr. Edwin L. Coleman’s letter (“Out-of-control football fan behavior is intolerable,” ODE Nov. 9).
It is clear that Dr. Coleman was not insinuating that the African-American Huskies’ drum major was booed because he was black; instead, Coleman was communicating that he was proud of him, as a fellow African-American, for taking such a high profile position and persevering through the boos. It is clear that Dr. Coleman was establishing a personal connection with the young man, which caused him to share his humiliation. He was NOT making claims of racism. The purpose of his letter was to express his shock that the University crowd booed the band’s performance in what was supposed to be a non-competitive atmosphere.
Does racism exist on campus? Yes. Does it prevail during the athletic events? Yes. (I have personally heard racially derogatory comments made toward opposing team members and officials.) Is racism what Dr. Coleman was referring to? No.

Felecia Wheatfall
Black Student Union Co-director