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March 01, 2005
Letter to the Editor: Racism and Diversity are more than just words
We attend a university where diversity is part of our vision. However, the words "diversity" and "racism" recklessly get tossed around this campus with disregard to their meanings.
Diversity: celebrating people's differences by embracing all cultures, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and religions.
Racism: the systematic subordination of members of targeted racial groups who have relatively little social power in the United States, by members of the agent racial groups who have relatively more social power. This subordination is supported by the actions of individuals, cultural norms, and values and the institutional structure and practices of society.
In regard to Jenna Witt's article, "Different Races Should Follow the Golden Rule," she mentions a theme of "reverse racism." This idea does not exist simply because people of color have never had social power over white people or the society they have created.
When we look at what Hamline's faculty is generally comprised of, we see that the majority of faculty is white. We are not asking to have a faculty member representing each and every country, but as students of color, we would like to see more faculty of color so that we may be able to freely express my opinions to someone who can understand where we am coming from.
You are ignorant when you write about affirmative action. Without affirmative action policies, students of color would not be given the chance to attend college or receive an education. Affirmative action has given students of color chances and equal opportunities as white students to be admitted into colleges.
You state that "if something is not acceptable for one race, it cannot be acceptable for another race." If this is true, then how do you explain white privilege? You also write that "race should not even be required on a college application." If that was the case, then we would be evaluated as a white person. Why should we have to hide my race and ethnicity?
In your letter, you write "And when I get into the workplace, I would never want to get a job just because I am a woman." Do you think that we want to get hired for a job solely based on our skin color? Stop and think about how you would feel if you didn't get a job because you are a woman; like so many people of color who are denied jobs every day because of their skin color.
We cannot all live by the same basic principles. Our society has forced us to make distinctions between black and white, which clearly demonstrates that our society is run by white people who are blinded by their privilege.
We are proud to be women of color and celebrate our race and ethnicity. It is not our choice to be victims of white privilege, it is the burden that our institution has forced upon us.
Shefali Aggarwal
Lisa Radnitz
CLA Students
Posted by msveum at March 1, 2005 07:50 PM
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