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Posted on 09/05/2001 11:57:46 AM PDT by Willie Green

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

Libertarian Party candidate Julian Heicklen stood at University Gates yesterday handing out fliers that contained a racial slur in the headline.

"I used this word to get attention and I got the shock," Heicklen said.

The flier, which Heicklen was using to get votes for the Libertarian Party in the upcoming Nov. 6 election, contained the text "PSU Student as Nigger" in capital letters across the top of the paper. Underneath the headline the flier listed reasons how the State College Borough Council has been mistreating students.

"This community treats Penn State students like blacks were treated in Mississippi in the 1950s," he said.

Heicklen said the Libertarian Party is "committed to ending these practices" and hopes people will understand why he used the wording he did. "I don't see why it (the racial slur) is offensive, I'm only telling the truth," he added.

While Heicklen and the Libertarian Party think their approach was the right approach, others disagreed.

"When I read it, I was dumbfounded," said Hasan Amenra, Penn State Black Caucus president. "It's malicious, it's insensitive and it's very offensive."

Amenra said he went to report the flier to the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity, where he asked the university for three things: a public apology from Heicklen, an official statement of the university's stance regarding the flier and reconsideration of Heicklen's status as Professor Emeritus. Amenra called Heicklen to find out what he was doing and state that he was offended.

"I did get a phone call from the head of the Black Caucus to find out what I was doing, and was told that I better stop or there would be dire consequences," Heicklen said.

According to Amenra, Heicklen was "nonchalant" about his use of the word and said, "I can do whatever I want" and would not change his stance on the issue.

These events were even more controversial to the Black Caucus because of the racial tension that took place last semester. Terrell Jones, vice-provost for educational equity, also feels the heading of the flier was unnecessary.

"Given the heightened sensitivity of these issues, it's just completely inappropriate," Jones said.

Heicklen does have a First Amendment right to print the fliers, Jones said. "But, having a right to print it doesn't make it right to do," he said.

"My ancestors are screaming!" said Lurie Daniel, a Penn State alumna, when she found out about the flier.

Although Heicklen used the flier as a campaign advertisement, Amenra believes it will turn away potential voters.

"We're your constituents," he said. "You're offending those people you want to vote for you."

Collegian Staff Writer Renée Petrina contributed to the story.

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