The concept of race is one that has haunted this nation from its very birth. The U.S. has taken tentative step after step forward, trying to reach that mythical future Martin Luther King Jr. once spoke about — a world in which everyone was color-blind, and race no longer mattered.
To some, the election of a black man to the highest office in the land was an indication that perhaps we had finally reached that point. Don’t be fooled, however. Even that event, as momentous and important as it was, was simply yet another step forward. We still haven’t reached the light at the end of the tunnel.
A question was recently raised on this page about whether or not groups that organize around the concept of race should be given student tax dollars. Certainly it’s a valid question; however, one with a clear answer.
If one were to approach almost any minority student and ask them about their life experiences, it’s likely they would not hesitate to state a white student could not appreciate the trials they are forced to go through simply because of the color of their skin. Given this fact, is it really surprising that, when they arrive at a university the size of MSU, they’d seek out those with similar experiences to socialize with? How is that any different than a student interested in organic farming or archery seeking out groups of people who share those interests?
For many students, the transition to college life can be a hard one. Many leave behind their family, and many if not all of their friends, and are suddenly thrust into a brand-new life situation without their usual support structures.
These groups ease that transition. This alone justifies their existence, not to mention the level of support and friendship they offer to even those who have been in East Lansing for years.
In terms of the charge that they shouldn’t get tax dollars simply because they’re only working for the promotion of one race — should student engineering groups then lose their funds as well simply because they’re working solely for the interests of engineers?
The groups are not being exclusionary in membership. It’s not like they’re being maliciously discriminatory.
People also should remember that nobody is forcing students to join these groups. Students who feel race doesn’t matter can simply ignore the groups and continue on with their lives or join multiracial groups such as Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience, or MRULE.
However, they shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that simply getting rid of these groups will make others think like they do.
It’s likely the same people who are in these groups would simply socialize on their own time. But as long as they’re helping students, and benefiting the university, aren’t they worthy of support?
The world is imperfect. As much as we’d all like to be living in a post-racial world, the fact remains that we simply don’t. The weight of history means that you can’t force people to ignore that reality.
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