University of California Regent Ward Connerly recently proposed that the Board of Regents investigate ethnic studies courses for possible political bias, lack of substance, and "feel good" celebrationism. However, he made no proposal for investigation of possible political bias, lack of substance, and "feel good" celebrationism in courses studying Euro-American society and culture.

Connerly expressed concern that ethnic studies courses might be "frivolous ... putting [students of color] in touch with [their] heritage." But he did not question the utility of White students taking courses in which they get in touch with their White heritages.

Connerly voiced dismay over an alleged observation that the students in the African American and Chicano studies classes he had visited were "all Black and Brown." He expressed no dismay, however, over the possible existence of European studies classes that were predominantly White.

On June 20, I attended two graduation ceremonies. In the morning, I attended commencement for one half of the graduating seniors of the UC-Davis College of Letters and Science. It was a predominantly White and Asian affair, steeped in Euro-American culture, with music performed by the UC-Davis symphonic orchestra and songs sung -- very well, I might add -- in operatic style.

In the evening, I attended a supplementary celebration of the African American community. The predominantly Black affair was steeped in African American culture, with several songs sung -- very well, I might add -- by the UC-Davis gospel choir in a style particular to African Americans. There were also student dance performances, poetry readings, and speeches.

I was pleased with, and proud of, both celebrations. Although both were racially integrated, both were also racially unbalanced, culturally mono-ethnic affairs. However, Connerly believes that traditional European-centered commencement ceremony is "unifying" and the supplementary ceremonies for peoples of color is "divisive."

Try as I might, I cannot find any label for Connerly's racially selective concerns other than racial prejudice. The fact that this racial prejudice comes from the mouth of a Black man only proves again that racial physiology does not determine cultural ideology. I am very pleased that the UC Board of Regents is currently rejecting Connerly's prejudicial proposals.

The Republican Party of California has just named Ward Connerly as its chief fundraiser. Could it be that Connerly's recent statements reflect the racial ideology that the California Republican Party plans to promote in its attempt to secure campaign funds and win votes?

Connerly's past and present statements presume that Black, Brown, and Native American peoples have less to offer society than White and Asian American Californians because of their ethnocentrism and their refusal to fully engage, and trust, in the fairness of the free enterprise system and the Republican Party's politics. His statements presume that White racism, past and present, had no influence on these differentials m or at least none that cannot be compensated for by color-blind, class-based programs.

If Black, Brown, and Native American people would only give up trying to advance the interests of their communities and concentrate on advancing their own individual development, as White people supposedly do, then California's racial conflicts would largely disappear -- or so Connerly and his supporters would have us believe.

In Connerly's California, European-themed, predominantly White organizations, events, and courses would be presumed to be unifying and meritorious. Organizations, events, and courses with strong representations of people of color and non-White cultural themes would be investigated for ethnocentrism, divisiveness, and frivolity.

Conservatives often complain that every time they criticize the actions of people of color, they are automatically accused of being racist. I agree that conservatives are sometimes falsely accused. But sometimes they are guilty.

Dr. Carl C. Jorgensen is an associate professor of sociology at the University of California-Davis.