The Badger Herald: Opinion: Letters to the editor

Updated Saturday, November 21, 2009, at 6:41 p.m.

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Opinion

Letters to the editor

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Wednesday, November 21, 2001 12:00 a.m.

0 Vote 0 Votes

In response to Jamie Seiberlich’s article (11/19) in the Badger Herald: Exactly what “special privileges” are students of color recieving? I can’t think of many, now or at any point in American history. I certainly would not consider the formation and underfunding of student organizations a special privilege, especially considering the obstacles many if not all students of color face not only on this campus but everywhere else in society.

My question to Jamie Seiberlich is this: what is this “white culture” she writes about? I argue that white culture could also simply be called American society. When white culture is dominant and even enforced on all other cultures then the least we can do, after centuries of undeniable oppression and discrimination, is give some money to a few student organizations that encourage and help students of color gain a voice at this overwhelmingly white university and in this overwhelmingly white society.

Jaime Seiberlich jokes about the formation of a Caucasion Culture Club in her article, I guess she doesn’t know that one already exists. It’s called the University of Wisconsin, it’s called Madison, it’s called America.

Sarah Klemme UW Senior social welfare/sociology

I truly enjoy reading articles like the one written by Jaime Seiberlich (Student-of-color groups segregate campus). I consider it a delight because her entire argument is completely void of any deep thought. Comparing minority student organizations with potential Caucasian student organizations is unfair on this campus and in society in general. Consider this argument. Why is there no White Entertainment Television network? After all, there is a Black Entertainment Television network right?

The answer is that there numerous WET?s out there, and you don?t even need cable to view them.
There are about as many minorities on ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS as there are caucasians on BET. That would make the primary networks relatively equal to the only channel dedicated to African-Americans. Similarly, almost every student organization on this campus is dedicated to the majority. They serve the entire student population, but the vast majority of the student population is caucasian. Therefore, the majority is the primary concern for these groups.

Seiberlich’s absurd argument equating minority student organizations to fictional all-white organizations incorrectly assumes that minorities and caucasians are equal in society. Only a foolhardy person who has never before dealt with racial problems could possibly make that argument. With a minute student population on this campus, minorities are surrounded by a population that, due to the vast difference in numbers alone, wants them to assimilate into their culture. With such a large percentage of whites, the only way for minorities to keep their own culture is to be involved in communities with students of similar ethnicity. Since whites are constantly surrounded by their own color, all-white student groups are not necessary.

Rather than compare whites and minorities on one campus, compare minorities on this campus with whites who decide to attend historically minority institutions (yes, they exist). Can you honestly say that you wouldn?t be intimidated if you left your exclusively white neighborhood and your predominantly white high school and landed on a campus that is virtually all African-American? This is what minorities on this campus are forced to deal with.

Of course, minorities should interact with caucasians and vice- versa. The complex societal dilemma that race produces will never subside unless everyone interacts with each other in a way that is actually meaningful. However, it is unfair to feel that minorities shouldn?t have minority student groups. They are a necessary tool in a world where the majority wants the minority to assimilate into their culture.

The SSFC would hopefully never acknowledge the ?CCC? because any services that this incongruous organization would offer are not necessary due to their redundancy. Because the creation of a majority atmosphere is not needed (what do you think this campus is?), there would be no advantage for such a program. Too often, writers who mention ?being labeled a racist? and creating an ?open dialogue about race? are simply not educated enough on the issue of race to write an informed column about it.

Thinking of minority student groups as special privileges ?that only students of color are entitled to? is a very closed minded statement. With the supreme disadvantage that minorities are forced to deal with the second they land on this campus, minority student organizations are merely an attempt to even the playing field. Also, the best thing about minority student organizations is that they are completely inclusive. Maybe Seiberlich should attend a function sponsored by the MCSC and see what they are all about.

Nathaniel Holton nfholton@students.wisc.edu Freshman-Mechanical Engineering

In her article “Student-of-color groups segregate campus,” Jamie Seiberlich misinterprets the mission of the MCSC. It’s goal is not to act as a racist separatist group, as she so bluntly and ignorantly suggests; but instead to improve a campus climate for all students and promote racial diversity and harmony.

Perhaps Ms. Seiberlich has never heard of the term “hate crime”, or maybe she has the fortune of never having to feel hostile in a classroom predominated by only white students. However, no person with a conscience should have to experience these things directly to understand the need of organizations like the MCSC. Ignorance and racist attitudes obviously still permeate our campus. While it is true that diversity is not only limited to race, but viewpoints and ideas as well, the argument that the SSFC and the MCSC are actually promoting a racist atmosphere is completely ridiculous.

Further, the SSFC is not just throwing money at the MCSC, “a group that only serves one subset of students.” The MCSC is an umbrella organization, supporting many different student-of-color organizations. Moreover, there are several groups funded by the SSFC that celebrate the various kinds of diversity: the Armenian Student Association, the Bellydancing club, Hillel, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Campus Center, to name just a few. There is no need for a Caucasian Culture Club — the campus as a whole already resembles one. Moreover, the absurdity of even suggesting such an establishment further exemplifies the need for an organization like the MCSC.

Katie Rose UW-Madison junior