Favorable treatment of minorities unfair

My college is smack dab in the middle of a very white, very upper-middle class town, and has historically catered to white middle-class students. Our acceptance qualifications were stringent and students were rewarded primarily for their achievements in academics or athletics.

We have maintained a successful and nationally-recognized institution because of these strict standards, but these standards are becoming marginalized for the sake of diversifying our school.

I have no problem when students from diverse backgrounds earn admittance to our school, as long as they have earned that right. Nothing should marginalize the importance of a good academic record. By treating some individuals differently because of their ethnic background, we are destroying any previous attempts at equality.

So what happens when a white, middle-class girl wants government help for college? What happens when that same girl is denied scholarship opportunities because of her ethnic background? Isn't this inequality what started the whole race mess? What happens now to the blond-haired, blue-eyed girl who isn't ethnically diverse enough to qualify?

At my school there is a black pride club, a Hispanic club, and an Asian club; all considered perfectly acceptable in the realms of cultural exploration. Isn't Caucasian a culture? Are we no longer allowed pride in our European ancestors? If we are so colorblind, then why are only some clubs allowed to exist, and not others? Doesn't my race count? Can't I have any pride in my heritage? What happened to equality?

Bri Roozen

Batavia