The DM runs white supremacist ad

An advertisement appearing in The Daily Mississippian today is promoting the suppression of minority groups because it says "diversity is a weakness, not a strenth." The ad claims that by the middle of this century, whites will be the minority in the U.S. and that "for whites to celebrate diversity is to celebrate their dwindling numbers and declining influence."

The organization, American Renaissance, is based in Oakton, Va., and claims to focus on how race shapes the development of world culture and politics. The 30-inch ad that ran in today's DM clearly shows their dissent for other ethnic groups. But check out the Web site — the main page has a bright red banner at the top welcoming Ole Miss students! It also gives links to articles it recently ran about the university!

I'm not sure if AmRen does these kinds of ad campaigns for universities across the country or if they picked a select few they thought were racist-minded. They are surely aware of the history of Ole Miss, whether or not it is still accurate, and they probably recall the strong support to keep Colonel Reb in place last year. They are probably also aware of the state's recent vote to keep the Confederate battle emblem in its state flag. Maybe we as Mississippians have brought this kind of attention on ourselves, who knows.

I also have to question the DM staff for allowing this type of ad run. Freedom of speech or not, this type of speech could cause the direct incitement of hate or perhaps violence and should not be tolerated. I want to assume that nobody checked this group out, but maybe the money was the most important factor. I don't know. I hope it was just a mistake. But it should be noted that the DM made over $200 from running the ad.