Calling Ann Althouse. Calling Ann Althouse. Come in, Ann.

By John McWhorter

Opinion Writer

John McWhorter has questions about race and what the heck has been going on for years at the University of Wisconsin:

What is it about the University of Wisconsin and race? The administration’s recent decision to move a rock from view because a journalist referred to it with the N-word almost 100 years ago was goofy enough. But there has been more at the school in this vein.

They are afraid to have honest discussion with or about black people.  They're afraid of offending you's.  So they let you say the n-word, but not White students.  That's the quick and dirty answer, John.... 

ADDED:  Today Elizabeth Warren endorsed a black man running for the Senate in the Democratic primaries.  He lied about having a college degree, was elected as Lt. Governor, and then last year, finished up his credits and earned his bachelor's degree.  He lied though, previously about being a college graduate.  Lied, and ended up in leadership.

That's the trouble all black people are facing... the bigotry of soft expectations.  The standards have so receded for black students, they come out with connections maybe, but at what cost?  Admission into White society, with second-tier credentials, means they will be always at the mercy of the hand-clapping White ladies on the hiring committees, eager to ... "help".  Having lesser skills, and being less educated but elevated into that life means the clapping ladies will always be needed, to help.  The blacks they help will never get their own their own, unless chosen and specially appointed.

It's a way of keeping blacks down -- like with the Native American tribes -- give them valueless trinkets of good will, and always let them know who gave them that help.

The students who got March’s name taken off those buildings made a mistake, as did the administrators who again caved to weakly justified demands, seemingly too scared of being called racists to take a deep breath and engage in reason.

The University of Wisconsin must apologize to March and his survivors. His name should be restored to both of the theaters now denuded of his name, including the Madison building, which he in fact helped bring into being and funded the lighting equipment even before the building was named after him.

This must happen in the name of what all involved in this mistake are committed to: social justice — which motivated March throughout his life.

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