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Prejudice
and racism still exist, but hopefully we will be colorblind soon Within the last month, I’ve been pleased to see in the TCU Daily Skiff a greater awareness of prejudices, stereotyping and biases existing in and around the community, as well as on a political level. These are horrible things that everyone can strive to avoid as diversity increases. For instance, in Jeff Dennis’ opinion column Wednesday he recognized the clear lack of diversity on campus. Admittedly, upon first coming to TCU I was slow to recognize the lack in variety of ethnic groups. I had pictured Fort Worth resembling the more diverse Dallas in a way, as the term “DFW Metroplex” suggested. However, it dawned on me how wrong I was when people started asking, “Where are you from?” or worse, “What are you exactly?” When it is discovered that I am not an international student and English is my native language the short disappointed “oh” follows. This surprised me since where I’m from in San Antonio most are colorblind, considering about half the population consists of minorities. Though I do agree with Jeff’s observation about the somewhat-segregated Main, I disagree that professors do not ask input of students’ experiences. I currently have at least a couple professors who appreciate any personal views students might offer to a lesson. If students happen to say something offensive to a certain minority, it could be interpreted as a learning experience, since more often than not, the statement is said out of ignorance. As I said before, I found Fort Worth and Dallas as different as day and night. If a Caucasian was to grow up in a small community (such as many in between Fort Worth and Dallas) where there are very few minorities in the area, it would be understandable that the person might not to know how to react when the subject mentions those of other races. Minorities have dealt with prejudices for years. In the 1940s the little-known Japanese concentration camps were set up throughout western America in response to the anti-Japanese hysteria from the Pearl Harbor attack. The Civil Rights movement illustrated deep-rooted prejudice toward African-Americans and in part those against other minorities. Everyone has heard of the song “Zoot Suit Riot.” But what many don’t realize it the young Mexican Americans who originally wore them, often were beaten down by white males who did it simply because they were different. Even today, problems with racism exist and many minorities (including myself) having experienced at least one episode of racism of some type. This bias has also spread into the world of politics, as our wonderful president illustrates. When he announced his so-called Axis of Evil theory, the world went into an uproar. He lost all chances of talking with representatives from North Korea and is currently on the verge of bombing Iraq. Already the United States has dropped more than 22,000 bombs in Afghanistan. Ten percent of which resulted in the potential loss of hundreds of innocent Afghan lives. None of these countries he mentions in this axis have threatened the United States in any way. Bush’s preferential treatment of Israelis over Palestinians in the Middle East conflict also shows this biased treatment. Though it has to do with political matters and not exactly racism, our president is not a perfect example of equality and world peace. Needless to say, we still have a long way to go when it comes to racism and prejudice. But we’ve also come a long way. It’s an effort all people have to make to see past color and race. But hopefully, one day all of us will become colorblind. Monique Bhimani is a freshman international communication and news editorial major from San Antonio. She can be contacted at (m.s.bhimani@student.tcu.edu). |
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