2008 Woodie Awards
Discrimination should universally end among students
Issue date: 3/10/06 Section: Rocket Letters
To the Editor:
Crystal Hawkins' column brought up some valid points in the fact that students seem to segregate themselves by their race on campus, which I think is a problem that will always be around. I have been here since the fall of 2002 and have always noticed the invisible racial lines drawn. I have eaten with my Fraternity brothers for the past four years at common hour and have always seen the same races in the same groups.
The thing that throws me off the most is the fact that I am a minority, yet unlike the majority of minorities on campus I have a vast array of friends and have never really used my race to separate myself. I'm Asian and honestly have never exclusively with Asians, just because I think that is plain stupid to limit my potential friends on race. I think that other then comfort, the organizations on this campus play a large part in racial and cultural lines, especially groups like the Black Action Society, why can't I join or a Caucasian person join without scrutiny from other members; simple, the skin color. When there are groups that restrict membership based on culture and race such as BAS, the student body can only get so far. I pledged Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity 4 years ago and unlike BAS, Alpha Sigs never discriminate or disallow people membership based on their culture.
All I'm saying is that it's time to stop separating ourselves into minority groups and time to venture out of our shells. I have never understood the need for African Americans to stand together so tightly, as I have never seen a group of Asians huddled together on campus, I just do not see a need for it. Despite segregation being eliminated years ago, SRU is faced with a new type of discrimination, that is, minority-based organizations that restrict membership based on race.
To end this rant, I just don't understand some of my fellow student body at times, just get out there and talk to other people. While this may be difficult for minority groups, especially in this area where I have seen more confederate flags in four years then my entire lifetime in Philly, it's a challenge we have to overcome. Like I said, I'm a minority, and my friendships are based on personalities, never race.
Dan Hooven
Senior
Communication major
Crystal Hawkins' column brought up some valid points in the fact that students seem to segregate themselves by their race on campus, which I think is a problem that will always be around. I have been here since the fall of 2002 and have always noticed the invisible racial lines drawn. I have eaten with my Fraternity brothers for the past four years at common hour and have always seen the same races in the same groups.
The thing that throws me off the most is the fact that I am a minority, yet unlike the majority of minorities on campus I have a vast array of friends and have never really used my race to separate myself. I'm Asian and honestly have never exclusively with Asians, just because I think that is plain stupid to limit my potential friends on race. I think that other then comfort, the organizations on this campus play a large part in racial and cultural lines, especially groups like the Black Action Society, why can't I join or a Caucasian person join without scrutiny from other members; simple, the skin color. When there are groups that restrict membership based on culture and race such as BAS, the student body can only get so far. I pledged Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity 4 years ago and unlike BAS, Alpha Sigs never discriminate or disallow people membership based on their culture.
All I'm saying is that it's time to stop separating ourselves into minority groups and time to venture out of our shells. I have never understood the need for African Americans to stand together so tightly, as I have never seen a group of Asians huddled together on campus, I just do not see a need for it. Despite segregation being eliminated years ago, SRU is faced with a new type of discrimination, that is, minority-based organizations that restrict membership based on race.
To end this rant, I just don't understand some of my fellow student body at times, just get out there and talk to other people. While this may be difficult for minority groups, especially in this area where I have seen more confederate flags in four years then my entire lifetime in Philly, it's a challenge we have to overcome. Like I said, I'm a minority, and my friendships are based on personalities, never race.
Dan Hooven
Senior
Communication major
