This is in response to "Affirmative action needed, not vote" (SN 7/14). I commend Andrew Handrich for his recognition of the issues in supporting affirmative action and the reasons behind upholding its torch.
Affirmative action provides the necessary step in closing the gaps of hundreds of years of oppression on the part of all people. The idea behind this diversity is entirely based on the representation of these people.
Our proactive affirmative action at MSU is a working success in battling the grueling amounts of racism and sexism that plague our campus.
Ironically, affirmative action benefits no one; it constructs a helping hand to those that need it and that is everyone. A benefit would imply an additional leg up; I encourage the MSU student body to read a history book. There is no way in the United States for a person out of the norm to receive any such benefit; they are only plagued because of it.
It saddens me that other students do not recognize the harm they're doing to communities by belittling affirmative action because, ironically, they are probably a product of it themselves.
Affirmative actions idea is aimed to desegregate our ideas of what is normal in our society. We can overcome bigotry, racism and prejudice together, but we must work together for our human diversity to survive.
I challenge students to attend a The Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience, or MRULE, meeting, Council of Racial and Ethnic Students, or CORES, meeting or any other student group devoted to improving tolerance at our university.
Learn what a multiracial, multi-personal and mutli-gendered nation can do that would help us to live harmoniously and equally.
You can be rest assured we will keep on until we receive that human justice until that hope prevails.
We will not let our affirmative reaction dissipate and die until every drop of humanity is salvaged, no person is left behind, and as Handrich noted, until others realize the real, serious, political, and socioeconomic repercussions of bigotry, prejudice and racism.
Robert A. Huber
@Letter_Name_Title:international relations sophomore and ASMSU Student Assembly representative for APASO
