April Hawkins
Staff Writer
A presidential town-hall meeting that was supposed to raise awareness of racial issues in athletics sparked protests from several different activist groups.
In an attempt to capture some presidential attention, several groups joined in the courtyard in front of the Wortham Center, where the meeting was held, to protest various issues. These issues ranged from the blockade on Iraq, deportation of Latin American immigrants, abortion and the death penalty.
While President Clinton and a panel of 10 sports authorities addressed racial issues inside, some University of Houston students and faculty showed up with other concerns on their minds.
"There are more important issues to discuss than racism in sports, such as the conflict in Iraq," said Erin Miner, UH studio art/painting major.
Herbert Rothschild, professor of honors English, voiced similar thoughts.
"The Iraqi issue is important because death is important ... When murder is committed in your name, you cannot be silent, he said. "The United States has killed over 1 million people, mostly children."
While protesters rallied outside for various causes, the conversation inside turned toward the subject of UH.
"Jim Moores, owner of the San Diego Padres, said that Clyde Drexler will take UH's basketball team to great places by becoming their coach," said Bill White, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Texas. "He commented that while he was in school, it was unthinkable for a black man to become coach."
Pat Owens, a defensive end for the Cougars and sociology major who attended the discussion, said he thought the talk was a good idea.
"This will water down a little of the racial tension here in Houston," he said. "Realistically, there is always going to be someone who is racist."
The event was sponsored by the White House Travel Bureau and ESPN. One thousand guests were invited, and the discussion was aired live on ESPN.