I. we demand that the University of Missouri system president, Tim Wolfe, writes a handwritten apology for the Concerned Students 1–9 – 5–0 demonstrators and holds a press conference in the Mizzou Student Center reading the letter. In the letter and at the press conference, Tim Wolfe must acknowledge his white male privilege, recognize that systems of oppression exist, and provide a verbal commitment to fulfilling Concerned Student 1–9 – 5–0 demands. We want Tim Wolfe to admit to his gross negligence, allowing his driver to hit one of the demonstrators, consenting to the physical violence of bystanders, and Leslie refusing to intervene when Columbia Police Department use excessive force with demonstrators.
Part of this is ridiculous. So the president is supposed to just get up and say "hey guys sorry for being white and for all the privilege's it's brought me. I totally go to where I am because of my skin color and not hard work"
Also asking him to recognize what we know exists 'systems of oppression' at some level in every college is stupid. What's next every white university is supposed to apologize for their 'white male privilege? There's other demands that are poorly worded too, this one just stands out the most.
Those terms were supposed to be negotiated, he didn't have to agree to do that to appease the group.
Also I completely disagree with the bolded part for a couple of reasons. One saying that this exists at some level at every college is a cop out, and frankly isn't relevant to the situation at Missouri. What do you want them to say, "oh well this happens everywhere so we shouldn't force someone to acknowledge the problems we're having here." Secondly, it is important for the president to acknowledge that these things exist so that people can acknowledge that the issue exists. The white president vocally acknowledging these issues carries much more weight than black students talking about it. People tend to marginalize the viewpoints of black people talking about what they are experiencing. It's amazing how some people are experts on others experienced.