As a member of the University community, and someone that could be identified as a person of color, I was shocked by Ty Schwoeffermann’s commentary regarding the University’s “culture of whiteness.” The article was dripping with antagonizing language that cannot possibly do anything but widen the social gap and disconnection between “white people” and “people of color.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. once wrote that his dream was that his children would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” While the “people of color” community reveres Dr. King as a civil rights activist, I feel that they have forgotten those very principles that they are trying so hard to implement. Mr. Schwoeffermann writes of “white students” as if by having pale skin, they automatically cannot understand subjects that “people of color are concerned about.”
Before coming to the University, I had never experienced racism or racial and ethnic prejudice. After coming here and listening to others speak about their life experiences, I have started to understand how difficult and frustrating it has been for some to get here. However, the only racism and ethnic bigotry that I have seen here at the University has been the reverse of all that I have heard about: “People of color” expressing their hatred and contempt for “whites.” This kind of language and behavior will do nothing but worsen the distrust and misunderstanding between “white people” and “people of color.” With “people of color” acting so standoffish and portraying all “white people” as antagonists, it is hard to imagine why they would not reciprocate the attitude.
As one that identifies as a minority, I feel that it is my responsibility to emphasize how important it is to practice what we preach, and that the true solution to racism and ethnic bigotry is to create positive connections amongst different cliques and groups on campus. While I cannot fully understand the hardships and frustrations that many people of color have endeavored through to be where they are now, I have come to the firm conviction that community connection and communication is the ultimate key to equalizing opportunities for people of color. What we need to do is to actively build bridges from our circles of comfort toward those who are not as aware or educated in the issues that are important to us, but not in the hateful, angry, and negative language that so many of us use.
Sean Jin
University student