Daily Northwestern,
Like much of the Northwestern community, we were infuriated after reading the recent op-ed regarding affirmative action by Sydney Zink. While our own personal backgrounds are quite different — two distinctions being our gender and race — we were both equally repulsed. It was an irresponsible piece flooded with racist overtones, outrageous misinterpretations of history and general ignorance of the chosen topic. It is our firm belief that The Daily would be doing the Northwestern community a favor by removing this piece from its website.
Such an inflammatory article from our nationally renowned student publication generates bad publicity, which reflects poorly on the Northwestern community. Remember — anyone from anywhere can see Zink’s article and read the inner-ramblings of a young girl, and now the entire university is associated with this tripe. It is particularly disappointing that The Daily chose to publish this article while Northwestern is actively focused on increasing minority enrollment. Did an editor consider that this may pose as a deterrent to prospective students? How unwelcoming to read that a person of color is probably not considered to be included in this “we of merit” that Zink discusses!
One obvious concern should be addressed: we wholeheartedly embrace freedom of the press. We acknowledge The Daily’s right to publish material of its choice. However, an academic institution like Northwestern should not present itself as a place where prejudice is acceptable, let alone disseminated. By publishing this article, The Daily Northwestern is essentially validating a misinformed and racist argument against affirmative action. Zink has the right to believe in and write about whatever falsehoods she chooses, but The Daily does not need to publish them. Some could argue that Zink’s article has the redeeming quality of facilitating a contentious, but healthy, discussion — and we agree. But her unfortunate, public, and misinformed article is a shameful way for this conversation to have begun, and we cannot afford to further compromise our school’s image.
Northwestern students from all backgrounds have expressed concern with Zink’s controversial comments, and the grim reality is that many students of color, current and prospective, do feel disconcerted when someone thinks their race is the “determining factor to what makes them acceptable.” We can acknowledge that taking down this article will not fantastically eradicate prejudice beliefs or undo all the damage done to our university’s reputation, but we do believe the Northwestern community would be better off without public blunders like this.
In the likely case that the offending article is not removed, to all prospective students and concerned alumni — Northwestern does not endorse prejudice.
Trenton Rogers & Ferila Sausi-Maea
WCAS ’14
Note: After submitting this to The Daily, we learned that “Daily policy is to not remove content once it is published.” We respect their decision; however, The Daily, a prestigious college newspaper, is responsible for providing the most accurate and informed content possible, and with this article it failed to do so. For the same reasons listed above, The Daily would be wise to consider the correction of glaring inaccuracies in Zink’s article. Our reputation is at stake.
