Spring Break
Reverend sparks protests
Students protest, question Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson's views on race and politics
Lidia Ryan
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: News
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The protest was in response to Reverend Jesse Lee Peterson's speech, which was hosted by the College Republicans. Peterson's speech was part of his "Stop Obama's Socialist Change Tour and Campaign," in which he tours the country speaking at colleges, events and churches about the dangers of socialism.
Peterson said the purpose of his tour is to "stop Obama's socialism because I don't want America to look like the ghettos of the inner cities."
According to Tim Plungis, the president of the College Republicans, Peterson has been featured on CNN and Fox News, and he has his own radio show.
Plungis said the College Republicans asked Peterson to speak because they were "interested in hearing his opinion that it's up to individuals to better themselves."
In his speech, Peterson, who is black, said that the fear that white people have of being called racist is partially allowing President Barack Obama to be in power.
"Obama is a far-left, liberal, socialist, black, democrat," Peterson said. "And white people are afraid to stand up to him because they don't want to be called racist."
Peterson also said that the idea of America being racist is also the reason behind why 96 percent of black voters voted for Obama. He said the government "keeps blacks angry by telling them that America is racist." For example, Peterson condemned the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) by saying that it blames blacks' problems on white people.
Because of this, Peterson said, the government "brain washes" black people and teaches them to hate Republicans and conservatives - groups thought to cater to a white agenda.
"Most black people think in groups, not for themselves," he said.
However, Peterson said that most racism in America today is "black against white."
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