Faculty perpetuates racism
Letter to the Editor
My friend, dark-skinned and of Mexican descent, sat in class this week and received his paper back covered in red marks. The teacher later talked to my friend, who incidentally is the only dark skinned student in the class (although one of several that received a poor grade), and asked him, "Was English your first language?" My friend was stunned at the question and felt incredibly awkward. This is the same friend who, after submitting his resume at the career center earlier this year, was asked by a woman working there to remember to add a line indicating that he was indeed a United States citizen.
Are these standard questions and comments that professors usually ask all and every student when the student performs badly on an assignment or wants to apply for a job? Or do they have something to do with the color of my friend's skin, a technicality that too often leads to unfair prejudices against people of varied ethnicity?
In the incipience of a new century, at one of the finest universities in the world, it is appalling to discover the ignorance at Notre Dame. In all fairness, the process of improving cultural relations at Notre Dame is commendable, and even for many who fail to appreciate the importance of embracing and feeling comfortable around diversity, I do not believe that it is because of their evil intent, but once again, because of ignorance. The ignorance thrives in baseless stereotypes and outdated categorizations of people inflicting senseless pain and confusion. Yet, the problem becomes intolerable when professors and known departments at Notre Dame perpetuate this ignorance in the most inappropriate manner and fall victim to stereotypes and prejudices. It is then that I begin to truly question the standard of professionalism to which this incredible faculty feels obligated to adhere.
If the students at Notre Dame are to fully respect and understand racial diversity and combat stereotypes which continue to plague this country, then at the very least, Notre Dame must ensure that its leaders of this movement, namely the faculty and administration, set a precedent. I have strong hope that my friend's experiences will exemplify to students and faculty alike that there is crucial work that remains to be done by everyone in regards to improving good racial relations and understanding. Rather than viewing this as a setback, I challenge readers to acknowledge the subtle, yet painful forms of prejudices that ubiquitously affect people and develop an interest to positively bring about change.
Ken Seifert
Freshman
Multicultural Commissioner for Stanford Hall
February 16, 2000
All Viewpoint Stories for Friday, February 18, 2000
