University of Texas School of Law - Peregrinus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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On the same day that thousands of African American men gathered for the Million Man March in Washington, D.C., President Bill Clinton spoke - right here in Austin - of a country plagued by racial tension that is tear- ing at the heart of America. The applause from the audience throughout the speech signaled approval of the President ' s words, however, what seemed to be the loud- est roar came when Clinton first walked onto the stage and, arm straight up, gave the Longhorn signal. CLIinton O lls for nA to f acism We must take responsibility for ourselves, our conduct and our atti- tudes. America, we must clean our house of racism, Clinton told the nearly 12,000 students, alumni and Texas residents packed into the University of Texas ' Erwin Center. The nation ' s racial woes, Clinton said, can not be solved by government but must be solved by the governed. Initially, President Clinton was to deliver a speech titled From the Campus to the White House: Perspectives on Leadership. However, the verdict in the O.J. Simpson murder trial and the Million Man March brought the issue of racism to the lips of millions of Americans, including the President. In recent weeks, every one of us has been made aware of a simple truth - white Americans and black Americans often see the same world in drastically different ways - ways that go beyond and beneath the Simpson trial and its aftermath, which brought these perceptions so starkly into the open, Clinton said. He urged his audience to under- stand their fellow Americans and to work together. ... we all have a stake in solving these common problems together. Today we face a choice - one way leads to further separation and bitter- ness and more lost futures, said Clinton. The other way, the path of courage and wisdom, leads to unity, to reconciliation, to a rich opportunity for all Americans to make the most of the lives God gave them, said Clinton. Starting before 7 a.m. on the clear Monday morning in mid-October thou- sands of people lined Red River wait- ing to hear the President speak. Along with Clinton enthusiasts, several sign- wielding demonstrators turned out for the event, including Earth First! and the Taiwanese Student Association. Also in attendance were the Food Not Bombs organization, which distrib- uted free food, and the Young Conservatives of Texas, which sur- rounded a table with signs reading Bill, you suck! and Bite me. Bill! The President ' s visit marked the eighth speaker to visit as part of the Liz Carpenter Distinguished Lecturer Series. Carpenter is a Texan and former press secretary of Ladybird Johnson. During 1993, Carpenter hosted Hillary Clinton to the Erwin Center. In vague terms, Clinton told the average person what they could do to stop racism: ... take responsibility for reaching out to people of different races, for taking time to sit down and talk through this issue, to have the courage to speak honestly and frankly - and then to have the discipline to listen quietly with an open mind and an open heart. - Dustin Harp (Pliotos by joliii Foxu ' orth) 8 - President Clinton

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31 ' fP !Ofos h T.j. Lee ) Fall Ex-Parte - 7

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