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
[email protected]
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