Achieving diversity with policy of affirmative action is racism
Alas, it is true — I see no value to diversity at all. But how can it be so, that I am so callous a blue-blooded brat as to suggest such a thing? In my defense, when discussing diversity or affirmative action one undoubtedly comes across a variant of “but diversity allows for different perspectives and is therefore invaluable in the educational process” — in other words, diversity of skin color, race or even gender ensures a diversity of thought. Titus Lee’s letter to The Daily Forum page Monday concedes the clumsy assumption implicit in this notion: Somehow a diversity of skin colors ensures anything beyond mere multicolored assortment.
This assertion, though benign at first, presupposes something thoroughly absurd: A person’s values and personal views are shaped by race — that a white person must necessarily think one way, and a black person must necessarily think another way. The only way to sustain this silly proposition would be if all people of the same race had consonant views on every issue. Needless to say, this is not the case.
It does not take a perceptive mind to realize that on the other side of this coin lies the ugly head of racism: The way people are is determined by race or skin color at birth.
I see no greater difference between two individuals of the same skin color than I do between two individuals of different skin colors. If I am accused of rejecting racial determinism, well, then I am proudly guilty.
A corollary to the question of diversity is using race as a criterion toward that end. It is in the best interest of schools and businesses to admit and hire applicants based on their qualifications, merits or achievements. Because these terms are used today with an amusing lack of precision, it is useful to provide a definition: Achievement, whether it be scholastic, extracurricular or athletic, is something accomplished by an individual. The notion that being born of a certain race or skin color is an accomplishment of some sort, to be treated and weighed as such in an admissions process, is both ludicrous and unjust.
I have a dream where the shroud of racial identity is rent asunder and where individuals are viewed and treated as such: judged according to their accomplishments, neither superficial stereotypes nor the injustices inflicted upon or at the hands of their ancestors. The end of racism presupposes at least this.
Henry Bowles
Medill freshman
College Republicans vice president
Daily ad representative
>NU Web site does disservice labeling students ‘consumers’
For the past two years I have had the opportunity to work for Northwestern’s Web Communications office. Job tasks lead me to NU Web sites that I would contest have never been seen by students.
Today I came across one that I think all students should know about. Point your web browsers to www.registrar.northwestern.edu/consumer-info and your disdain might be in unison with mine. The Office of the Registrar administers this informative page, entitled “General Consumer Information.” I have a problem being identified as a “consumer” by the same office that will grant me a diploma — especially after I have heard University President Henry Bienen say that he hopes students aren’t viewed by the university as consumers. However, it might be expected from an office tucked away in the Rebecca Crown Center, a building equipped with what appear to be gun silos overlooking the courtyard and a protected, underground parking garage for our university’s highest administrators.
When I think of the word “consumer,” the image of a late night Red Bull purchase from White Hen Pantry comes to mind, not the investment of my time and money over the past three years to a university in constant pursuit of the highest order of excellence. Although it is true students walk away from this university with a well-recognized diploma and a lighter piggy bank, the time students spend here could hardly be defined as “consumer” behavior.
Since I have been at NU, I have worked with a variety of students committed to giving back to this university through campus programming, community service and research jobs. This university wouldn’t be what it is today if it weren’t for what we are doing when we aren’t “consuming.”
This label needs to change, and not just with an edit to the above-mentioned Web site.
Barrett Griffith
McCormick junior
NU Web Communications Web tech
Student group aims to do job ASG already should be doing
Am I the only one who laughed out loud while reading Monday’s Daily article about Take Back Northwestern? The article was fine until the third paragraph when I found out the new student group was founded and led by everyone’s favorite activist, Tamara Kagel.
After a thoroughly heartbreaking loss in the Associated Student Government presidential election, it could only be hoped that I would never again have to hear her name or read another obnoxious poster. Monday’s article proved some dreams just don’t come true.
I am all for “taking on controversial issues” and “building a sense of community,” but what exactly do those two things have to do with each other and why do we need a special group to do so? Why not just create a new group dedicated to “solving problems”? Isn’t that what ASG is supposed to be about anyway? I can only hope Take Back Northwestern will serve some purpose other than adding to the resumes of its members.
It is hard to take the group seriously when it is all too easy to see it as nothing more than an embarrassing attempt by Tamara Kagel to be in a position of power. A new student group for resume-builders? Score!
Why go through the hassle of winning an ASG election when we can just create our own organization devoted to the exact same thing!
Jason Alt
McCormick junior
Daily still a reliable source — despite some views to contrary
You might assume that as an editor of the Northwestern Chronicle, reading the recent scoldings from previous editors and Medill students, would obligate me to rejoice like a Special Olympian who just won fifth place.
But in the midst of the Daily “breakdown,” those who hover over the Daily with a magnifying glass fail to realize that it still functions as a powerful force in the Evanston community — and with good reason. The writing is professional, the design is efficient and — except for the disgustingly-unbalanced editorial view — The Daily is a superb newspaper. Hell, if I ever want to know what an Evanston alderman had for breakfast, I pick up The Daily.
I find it difficult to manage my time and fill two pages a week lampooning sororities, fat girls and Joel Richlin — I can’t even fathom the type of time and dedication it takes to produce a 12-page, daily paper complete with “ethics.” I think the fact that so few people wrote in to complain except a few whiney Medill snobs attests to the fine job the writers and editors do. So they got scooped by one of the nation’s largest newspapers about a flippin’ monkey.
My life will go on — Daily in hand.
Kyle Western
Medill freshman
Northwestern Chronicle opinion page editor
