As part of National Take Affirmative Action Day, student leaders across the UW-Madison campus held a “funeral” on Library Mall Tuesday
Co-sponsored by the United States Student Association, United Council, the Multicultural Student Coalition and the Associated Students of Madison, the rally, called “The Death of Education,” featured a host of speakers and a metaphorical funeral procession into Memorial Union.
According to Jenny Chen, ASM Diversity Committee co-chair, the rally was intended to raise awareness and “to reaffirm the UW’s dedication to diversity on campus.”
USSA wanted to hold the nation-wide rally because there are too many people who have misunderstandings about how important affirmative action is in the education process, said Pabitra Benjamin, a campus organizer for USSA.
“USSA stands for equal access to education,” Benjamin said. “[It’s] a necessary thing to have at a university.”
USSA is a 50-year-old national organization that firmly believes that “eliminating race as a factor in admissions is turning a ‘blind eye’ to racism in educational opportunity. Ending affirmative action will only exacerbate racism and racial inequality in public education,” according to the group’s website.
Other speakers at the rally included ASM Chair Jessica Miller, the Asian and Pacific American Council Chair Heidi Kong and USSA Vice President Jo’ie Taylor from Washington, D.C.
“We do have the support [for affirmative action],” Miller said. “Last spring [Board of Regent’s] President Jay Smith voted to reaffirm affirmative action in freshman admission policy. That’s really great.”
Miller went on to point out that when it was put to vote, all but three of the 16 members of the Board of Regents voted in favor of affirmative action. However, members such as Fred Mohs are noted critics of racial-preferencing programs.
Miller wanted to demonstrate to these critics that students support these types of programs, which have been historically used to diversify schools.
“Diversity is a problem on this campus,” Miller said “It was a show of support.”
The funeral procession metaphorically depicted how, without affirmative action, education would “die.”
“If diversity dies, education dies,” Kong said. “Students have to understand that diversity is absolutely linked to the quality of education.”
Miller reminded students that affirmative action is not just about race — it includes gender and sexual orientation, as well as other categories.
Chen denounced the gradual movement by campuses across the nation to end affirmative action programs in the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students.
She said there has recently been “an onslaught against affirmative action” in some states such as Texas and that diversity “is so integral to having [a good education].”
Benjamin said despite its controversial nature, affirmative action is necessary to combat racism.
“USSA strongly believes race must be a factor because racism always is,” she said “The less diversity we have [on campus], the less our education is worth.”
