Minority scholarships hint at racism

When living in a community whose population is largely Hispanic, coming across minority scholarships is quite common. Scholarships that are provided to certain students of certain ethnicities at Elgin Community College hint toward racism and should not be given at all. Minority scholarships themselves are in a way tinted with racism; they are only available to certain ethnicities for their race, which acknowledges that they are in some way different.

Another point is that these scholarships almost violate rights. Students who don't fall under the qualifications of minority scholarships do not have the privilege of receiving or applying for them because of their ethnicities or home life. The World English Dictionary definition of a scholarship is “financial aid provided for a student because of academic merit,” not for being a minority or falling under a certain ethnicity. Scholarships are aimed toward certain talents so students can exercise their skills to a high potential; being a certain race is not a talent or skill.

Minority scholarships in more ways than one quietly speak racism. Providing opportunities not available to others should never be an issue when it involves money and education.

Maren Elizabeth McNamara

Elgin