Regarding Charlie Mitchell’s Feb. 7 column, “JSU chief sees Mississippi as forever divided by race,” I am more convinced than ever that we should not perpetuate institutions that breed and preserve such virulent racism as that expressed by Dr. Ronald Mason, president of Jackson State University.

His view is that black Mississippians and their “historically black” schools still suffer from slavery, segregation and discrimination — that is from white oppressors and black race-traitors. Such problems as declining enrollment at the three black state universities, the failure to desegregate or diversify these schools and disappointing alumni and foundation support are all evidence of the pervasive and persistent determination of white people to block the advancement of black people.

The truth is that black students who have broken out of the traditional mold of black grievance and victimology are doing quite well for themselves in the nonblack, nonsegregated state universities and beyond. The truth is that unless people like President Mason break free of the same outmoded and self-destructive perspectives, he will not come up with realistic and constructive proposals for the schools and students of Mississippi, black and white.

Zip Ribar

Long Beach