Rev. Peterson Rocks Yale University!

Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson spoke at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, on Tuesday, September 22, 2009. The event was hosted by the Yale Political Union, the oldest and most respected student debating society in America. The group invites prominent national figures to speak before the Yale community each week.

Before the keynote address, Rev. Peterson spoke to a small group of students (liberals and conservatives) at the “Master Tea” luncheon. The keynote address titled "Resolved: Abolish Race Based Affirmative Action,” started at 7 p.m. and lasted 35 minutes followed by an hour and a half of Q & A.

The main event was packed—standing room only. It was a parliamentary—style forum and the room was divided with conservatives on the right, independents in the middle and “progressives” to the left. 

There was a moderator on stage and the students were allowed to express their agreement or disagreement in a very unique and loud manner during the speech.

When they agreed with a statement they would respond by banging on their desks or stomping their feet, but when they disagreed they would literally hiss at the speaker. It was quite interesting and dramatic!

Rev. Peterson delivered a very clear and simple message to students, pointing out that blacks don’t need affirmative action. He drove home the point that preferential programs stigmatize and devalue minority students.

He said, “If I was to go to a hospital with an injury and a black doctor was assigned to me, I would wonder if that physician was the best qualified, or just a mediocre affirmative action doctor. I’d probably ask for another doctor. That’s an example of how affirmative action hurts blacks.”

Rev. Peterson added, “Diversity seems to be the solution or the excuse to discriminate against whites. Racism is wrong and blacks should understand that better than any other group because of their past experiences with racial discrimination.”

Those remarks caused the liberal black students to disagree and they began hissing loudly.

Overall the conservatives were happy with Rev. Peterson’s address and they showed their approval by banging loudly on their desks.

After the speech, the students began to debate the issue of affirmative action. This was very lively and even entertaining. Many liberal black and white students expressed that blacks “deserved” affirmative action—a chance to be at Yale because of the past history of discrimination in the U.S.

They said that many of them would not have been able to get into Yale without the program. They also said that affirmative action helps bring “diversity” to campus and that many of the white students and faculty wouldn’t have the opportunity to mix or be around other blacks (as if all whites are racists and the cure is affirmative action).

Nicole Gareau from Boston, who drove two hours for this event, disagreed with some of the black students. She said, “Yes, it’s true that not every white person at the school would have these same experiences with black students, but what difference does that make?”

No surprise that the conservative students seemed to understand and receive the message much better than the liberals.

Two white male students (from Illinois and Pennsylvania) spoke about the challenges faced by low-income white students. They said they both excelled in school but their families couldn’t afford to send them to Yale, but because of a grant they were able to pay tuition and were admitted. They said they felt fortunate that they got in because it’s usually the minority kids that seem to get the breaks—even when they don’t have the best grades.

Despite their strong opinions, the students were civil and respectful in the way they dealt with the speaker and one another. A few of the black students were slightly confrontational after the event, but Rev. Peterson dealt with it in a patient and calm manner.

The forum was reported to be the second largest event held by this group. Rev. Peterson used the opportunity to remind the students, especially the black kids, that they are fortunate to live in the greatest nation in the world. And that even though there are challenges and the road over here was not easy for blacks—they should recognize that they are Americans and not African-Americans.

He encouraged the students to drop their anger towards their parents and white people, and to stop listening to the liberal established black leaders who are benefiting from dividing the races with lies.

For media inquiries or to have Rev. Peterson speak to your university, organization, or church contact (323) 782-1980 or e-mail bond@bondinfo.org