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Issue date: 4/22/09 Section: Opinions
Everyone deserves equal voice, platform at University
Zaid Jilani and Kimberly Moxley both successfully articulated the reality of our University in Tuesday's paper. The University population is voluntarily segregated. This is a significant problem.Many minority students do not feel welcome in many different aspects of campus especially when some students vocalize that black students were admitted admission to the University because of their race. Of course, they couldn't have been admitted because they were in the top of their class in high school - not the greatest environment.
But I love this University. I have thrived academically and socially due to a significant part to the race-based organizations that Chris Chiego would like to eliminate.
I challenge white students to be conscious of their environment. Understand your position as the dominate group. Don't be afraid to speak to someone of another race. Get to know them instead of their skin color.
Until minority students have an equal platform and voice on campus, these organizations are vital to this University.
Yasmin Yonis
Sophomore, Lawrenceville
Newspapers and International Affairs
Columnist unfairly attacks personal qualities, viewpoints
The recent attempts by Red & Black op-ed contributor Zaid Jilani to defame Chris Chiego's character are troubling to me. I know Cheigo and can attest to his personal integrity. If Zaid wants to have a real debate about race at the University, he should keep whatever personal vendetta he has against Cheigo to himself. I hope University students realize the unprofessional nature of Jilani's comments and endeavor to keep future racial debates objective and unbiased. I fear, however, that many such as Zaid don't want a real discussion at all - it is, after all, much easier to simply label someone a "white racist" than to have a frank discussion about real problems.Rocky Cole
Sophomore, Kennesaw
International Affairs and Economics
Racial groups only exacerbate differences on University campus
I am a black male at the University, I am very in touch with my African and Jamaican heritage and I also agree 100 percent with Chris Chiego. University-sanctioned organizations that imposed a sense of quasi-diversity are detrimental and pernicious to the University community as a whole. Unions, leagues and support systems based only on one's race only further divide. Today, racial tensions are not due to unjust laws imposed by the judicial system but voluntary segregation. If we as minorities stop playing the role of "minority" and separating from the "majority," only then will we achieve true equality all minorities are striving to achieve.Gordon Ritchie-Haughton
Junior, Atlanta
Financial Planning
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 6
James
posted 4/22/09 @ 9:47 AM EST
Gordon:
Your thoughts are not only impressive but refreshing. It's all about attitude.
You will go far.
Enlightened
posted 4/22/09 @ 12:02 PM EST
Thanks, Yasmin, for articulating the feelings of the overwhelming majority of ethnic minorities that I know on campus. And, Gordon, although you are a black male, you would not know what the majority of students go through as they arrive on campus. (Continued…)
D
posted 4/22/09 @ 1:33 PM EST
Yasmin,
Since you argue that minority students are admitted on their qualifications and not race, you should really look into proof reading your letter. (Continued…)
Sala
posted 4/22/09 @ 2:28 PM EST
"I challenge white students to be conscious of their environment. Understand your position as the dominate group. Don't be afraid to speak to someone of another race. (Continued…)
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