Arkansas sure knows how to stir up a racial controversy!

The state has come a long way since the forced desegregation of Central High School in 1957. However, two Arkansas Republican politicians, Jon Hubbard of the Arkansas House of Representatives and state House candidate Charles Fuqua,  have expressed some contentious opinions that many feel are reminiscent of the discriminatory attitudes of the 1950′s.

In his 2009, self-published book titled Letters To The Editor: Confessions Of A Frustrated Conservative, Jon Hubbard states the following: 

The institution of slavery that the black race has long believed to be an abomination upon its people may actually have been a blessing in disguise. The blacks who could endure those conditions and circumstances would someday be rewarded with citizenship in the greatest nation ever established upon the face of the Earth.

He also argues that the integration of schools  set some white students back, because they:

dropped to the level of black students. To make matters worse the lack of discipline and ambition of black students soon became shared by their white classmates, and our educational system has been in a steady decline ever since.

In the book, Hubbard goes on to make other claims regarding black Americans and their history in America, but he argues that his statements were taken grossly out of context. He also accuses liberals of using the controversy to:

steer the conversation away from the real issues…that is why they try to make me and other conservatives spend our time defending ourselves against their false accusations, instead of addressing these real issues the people of this state desperately want answers or solutions for.

Hubbard insists that people should “read and judge for themselves” before forming their ultimate views on this matter, and we here at USDemocrazy encourage you to take his advice to make an informed decision. Portions of the book can be read on Google Books; additionally, you can find the passage regarding slavery as a “blessing in disguise” here. 

Despite his insistence that his perspective is not rooted in racism, many Arkansas Republicans are trying to distance themselves from Hubbard as well as Charles Fuqua, the other Arkansas politician under fire for controversial sentiments expressed in a book he wrote this year. In Fuqua’s own words: 

I see no solution to the Muslim problem short of expelling all followers of the religion from the United States.

So where exactly did he get the idea that this was even a problem in the first place? We have no idea, but according to Fuqua, there are others who are concerned about this so-called “problem:”  

I think my views are fairly well-accepted by most people.

Well…if by “most” people he actually means a small and rather bigoted fraction of the population, then yes, it may very well be that his views are accepted by the alleged “most” people.

Whatever he means by the phrase, it doesn’t seem to carry much weight in the opinion of many Arkansas Republicans, including state GOP Chairman Doyle Webb, who have been quick to denounce both his and Hubbard’s respective books. The state’s Republican House Caucus clearly stated the two men’s views are: 

in no way reflective of, or endorsed by, the Republican caucus.

But perhaps you have a different perspective.  Have one or both of the men’s specific statements been misinterpreted because they have not been considered within the larger framework of their arguments? Or are both men completely out of line even if the respective contexts of their statements are evaluated? 

Do you have retriever fever! Have you noticed ALL the black and gold all over campus today! Homecoming is right around the corner and we are pretty excited!

Students in each community have gotten together to show their spirit and love of UMBC and their community by creating a banner, you can vote for your community banner here: Homecoming Spirit Competition. The community winner of the People's Choice award determined by the voters will win  pizza party AND a trophy! More details on that are to be announced when the winner is announced!

And while you’re there you can also vote for best office decorations and student org banners! Many student organizations and offices across campus took part in this healthy competition including Residential Life and the Resident Student Association!!!  Check out RSA’s banner here: RSA Homecoming Banner

Here in Residential Life both students and staff contributed to create some amazing decorations and atmosphere! If you want to see more pictures of Residential Life’s decorations feel free to check out our Residential Life Facebook Fan Page or follow us on Twitter! OR stop by and say hi on Monday!

Interested in finding out more about Homecoming events happening next week! Check out the Homecoming webpage!

Larriland Bus Trip

(seb)

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Bus departs The Commons Circle @ 11:15am

All Guests = $3

Philadelphia Bus Trip

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Saturday, November 3, 2012

Bus departs The Commons Circle @ 9:00am

All Guests = $15

Washington, DC Bus Trip

(seb)

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Bus departs The Commons Circle @ 10:00am

All Guests = $5

Homecoming Comedy Show: BJ Novak

(seb)

Saturday, October 13, 2012

8:00pm

RAC

All Guests = $10

Ticket #: 410 of 1700

Ira Glass Lecture

Saturday, October 13, 2012

10:30am

University Center, Ballroom

UMBC ID = $5 (limit 1/ID)

Ticket #: 2 of 60

Akomo Ntoso Cabaret

Black Student Union

Friday, October 19, 2012

7:00pm

The Commons, Skylight Room

UMBC ID = FREE

General Admission = $10

Ticket #: 3 of 139

Hershey Park Bus Trip

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Saturday, October 20, 2012

Bus departs The Commons Circle @ 12:00pm

All Guests = $35

Ticket #: 24 of 48

Larriland Bus Trip

(seb)

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Bus departs The Commons Circle @ 11:15am

All Guests = $3

Ticket #: 1 of 28

Philadelphia Bus Trip

(seb)

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Bus departs The Commons Circle @ 9:00am

All Guests = $15

Ticket #: 1 of 49

Washington, DC Bus Trip

(seb)

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Bus departs The Commons Circle @ 10:00am

All Guests = $5

Ticket #: 1 of 49

The Vice Presidential candidates spar in a televised debate this Thursday. The Democrats are looking to make a comeback after a disastrous opening match last week. Who are you picking in this round, Rookie Ryan or Blabbermouth Biden?

By: Ben Sutherland

We realize Mondays are less fun than a root canal so start your week off with a smile (unless you actually have to get a root canal).

Here are some fun sites to make the day a little less painful.

Check out ten bits of trivia. For example,

Captain Crunch’s first name is Horatio.

I will risk missing a flight if I feel like I’ve potentially left one of my phones at home,” [Christiana Ike] said. “I definitely wish that I was not so attached because that attachment has caused me problems.

Very Little Stars on Vimeo.