BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
OXFORD -- Tension among the races is still the main challenge Americans face today, a top presidential adviser said Tuesday.
"It's the obstacle we still face day in and day out," said William Leftwich III, deputy assistant to the secretary of defense and a 1969 Miami University graduate.
Mr. Leftwich came to Miami University as part of President Clinton's "One America in the 21st Century: The President's Initiative on Race" program unveiled in June. His task was to monitor discussions on race relations among students, faculty and others and take the ideas back to Washington.
He was in Oxford to analyze comments gathered from conversations throughout the country. The final stage will be to develop legislation, policies or programs based on the discussions and analysis, he said.
"Direct and honest conversation is what we are to engage in," Mr. Leftwich said. "The reality is when we have those conversations, whites talk to whites; blacks talk to blacks. Very rarely do we step outside those boundaries."
The military does the best job, largely because of mandates, Mr. Leftwich said. The integration of troops also sends a powerful message to countries where Americans are deployed that may not yet have integrated troops. Countries such as Bosnia are particularly receptive, Mr. Leftwich said.
"We do a better job in the military than our civilian counterparts," Mr. Leftwich said. "We have not perfected it. The message we send to other countries (of integrated troops) is one that Americans take for granted."
Miami University President James Garland said improving race relations on campus and emphasizing diversity have been the focus this school year, with more than 30 activities this week alone, including Mr. Leftwich's visit.
It comes just three months after Miami student Christopher Kindinger, 19, was severely beaten. Racial and anti-gay slurs were used during the attack.
"Many of us are trying to encourage dialogue," Mr. Garland said. "I believe at Miami we are engaging in productive dialogue." Some said Mr. Clinton's recent trip to Africa and his discussions in a time of crisis have created an opportunity for him to speak frankly to university and corporate officers.
"He can talk to corporate officials and university officials and say "mandate.' He can make moral calls in ways no one else can right now," said Ron Scott, who is a member of the university's mass communications faculty.
"For me and my white friends, we don't realize how advantaged we are," said Cathy House, Miami's director of public safety. "Let's not just talk about tolerance -- most of us tolerate a headache. Let's move beyond that and teach."
