In my previous blog, I almost agreed that affimative action was sort of discrimination. Actually I am sorry I agree their for a second with you guys. But going to tech day at University of Michigan today completely changed my eyes. No, when one of the professors gave a lecture he said there were only 11% minorities in the whole university, and they like it that way. I am not exagerating, and that was verbatim. Now, you are telling me minority students get equal chances...plz....Look at the world we live in. We are more racist today, than we have ever been. Universities say they strive for diversity, when 98% of the population in the university is white. Look around you and truly see how you are treated.
I was at one of the student panels. I was raising my hand for about 20 minutes, and I am positive the guy glanced over me a million of times, and did not call on me. One of my friends had to get his attention for my answer to be questioned. Now, I guess we live in an equal world and that is why my question was not answered. I was furious. As I right this I am actually shocked at the attention we receive.
Why do we have a different office for minority recruitement? Why is there a complete different office for us? That is because people know that we are intimidated by the ticket price of the college, and the environment. When there are hundreds of white kids around and you are the only dark person, ya anyone would be intimidated by that. Some minorities may say, well, that shouldnt be a problem I am in that situation all the time. Or, something like they are really friendly. Please, who are we kidding ourselves when we make that judgement. I am not saying that all white people are racist, I will admit it I can be very racist somtimes; but there are those who have taken a step farther intoy physical action, and that is why we need all these support systems for all the minority group. (not related to race, but religion; same discrimination) I will never think about stepping into a campus that does not have a muslim student association. I need to know that there are enought Muslim students that are going through the same things as I am, and that we could all be there for each other. I know many of you will lash at my blog. Please feel free to do so, and I will not be offended.
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I never let my schooling interfere with my education. - Mark Twain
I am white. I'm not offended. I know a lot of what you say is true for many others. I know what you say is also the stem of more racism.
I don't really feel like I can offer much comfort through words because I can hardly step into your shoes. I think the closest I've come is going to the "Asian side" of Atlanta, with my Korean friend. I was the only white person and I liked it. It was this new feeling for me, but then again, I'm always the privileged white majority.
I do notice that my friends who are minorities tend to want to go to more diverse places for education and even to settle. This does make sense. Sometimes, though, I am offended because I tend to develop intimate relationships with all of my friends. And to me, I take that as I am just not that close to them where we can share our lives enough so s/he feels comfortable. I guess maybe you understand the other side of this.
I honestly love all of my friends. However, I still need that Bengali community as well as a Muslim community for support. I am honestly scared of ending up in a majority white or majority black college. It is nothing against them, it just that I need more diversity.
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I never let my schooling interfere with my education. - Mark Twain
I know how you feel about needing diversity. I'd lose my mind relatively quickly without it and cannot understand why people are so afraid of a little diversity. It's truly astounding to me.
"Reality is not for the faint of heart."
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter."
I know what you mean, yet these universities publicly acknowledge themselves as diverse.
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I never let my schooling interfere with my education. - Mark Twain
Some colleges and professors out there are still racist, which is evident by the visit which you described. However, most are improving.
I don't agree with the your reasoning behind the separate offices for minorities at colleges. I'm white and I'll tell you straight off, I'm terrified of that price tag that comes with college. All I qualify for is the needs and merit based scholarships, which you pointed out in a previous conversation. I don't qualify for any of the minority scholarships that are out there. Why? Because I'm white. I guarantee that you'll have more of an advantage to get scholarships than me. I actually hoped I'd shrink an inch or two so I could legally be a midget, therefore opening myself up for a whole other area of scholarships. =)
OH man, you do not know how much I wish I was a legally midgit. Although, I have always been labeled as the short one.
Or like a feet or two taller.
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I never let my schooling interfere with my education. - Mark Twain
I completely agree. With another foot, I just might be able to see over the damn steering wheel or be able to hand money to the person working the drive thru.
Forget catering to ethnicities.
What about us short people? I would like to be able to buy jeans that I don't have to cut four inches off of.
Thank you! Exactly what I mean, when trying to find a dress everything goes under your knee, or doesnt feet your hips. Not everyones a size 2.
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I never let my schooling interfere with my education. - Mark Twain
I think I've found my topic for a new blog. =)
I must have been your muse!
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I never let my schooling interfere with my education. - Mark Twain
Yepyep, thank you greatly for the idea! I never can think of good topics...
Me either! I guess my topics come out of anger and frustration.
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I never let my schooling interfere with my education. - Mark Twain
I found this to make plenty of sense, as I've often wondered the same things as well -- why people make such a big deal about affirmative action, when the university that practices it still has an overwhelming (as in far more than half) percentage of Caucasian students. In my opinion, a college with only 11% minority students NEEDS something like affirmative action.
I dont understand why people cant wake up and see that. A lot of minorities think it puts them down. How?
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~~I never let my schooling interfere with my education. - Mark Twain~~
~~Tell her not what she wants to hear. Tell her what she deserves to hear--me.~~
Well, I know of a few minorities that believe that affirmative action policies make it seem as if they only got accepted into the school because they were a particular race -- not because of their good academic record. However, I doubt that any school would accept someone "stupid" -- most minorities that apply ALREADY have excellent academic records, what it boils down to is whether or not he/she will be accepted over a Caucasian with the same type of academic record. So the stigma that "less-intelligent" minorities are being accepted over "more qualified" non-minorities is extremely exaggerated. All applicants are high achievers, but there are so many factors tied into minority status, i.e. parent income, whether or not he/she is a first generation college student, the type of environment one was raised in, etc., etc.
colleges will not admit minorities just because of affirmative actions. Colleges want themselves to be represented highly in the eyes of others, in order to do so they must have the cream of the crop.
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~~I never let my schooling interfere with my education. - Mark Twain~~
~~Tell her not what she wants to hear. Tell her what she deserves to hear--me.~~