MU alumnus speaks out about racial tensions on campus
The list of people speaking out against the MU student protests and Tim Wolfe’s resignation is growing. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder said the protesters are “pampered.” A group of MU alumni are also questioning the validity of the protesters’ complaints.
“We’re wanting to come to the table and provide a voice of reason and say ‘Look,okay, what is it you’re concerned about? What are the real issues here?’ But the rest of this just seems to be like smoke and mirrors,” said Russ Jones with Truth Matters MU.
The Truth Matters MU group is made up of MU alumni and is the brainchild of Russ Jones. The group’s Facebook pages states the group was created as “a reasoned response to the racial tensions on the campus.” Its page also lists a number of the groups beliefs regarding the unrest at Mizzou. It states Tim Wolfe shouldn’t have resigned and was falsely accused. Russ argues the decision was hasty, saying there should been a committee to investigate any claims of institutional racism.
Jones said the protesters aren’t bringing people together, in fact, he said they’re creating further division on campus.
“I think people were listening, or at least wanted to try and understand, but when the protesters said we need a safe space and then started calling people ‘white supremacists.'” I think that’s when folks said ‘Hey, time out here. Really, it that where we are today?'” said Jones.
Russ said he believes the events on MU campus have tarnished the school’s reputation and has heard from concerned parents and students.
“We’ve got students contacting us saying ‘I feel unsafe. I’m uncomfortable because if i disagree, then I’m going be tagged a racist.’ Who in the world wants to be called a racist?” said Jones.
Jones said there’s a lot of bitterness on MU campus and hopes for healing. Jones said he’s even gone as far as contacting Alveda King, the niece of Martin Luther King Jr. and a colleague of his. He said King told him she’ll help in any way she can.
