Dear Editor:
Regarding Nayeli Chavez's first-hand account of racism against Mexicans (14 January edition), I agree with the need to pay more attention to racism against Hispanics, an attitude at odds with the strongly growing Hispanic U.S. population. But Chavez's column was interesting for another reason. As a humanitarian, my heart sinks at her feeling of being an outsider on our campus; as an academic, it is important to note Chavez is exactly the sort of student SIU should be attracting. She showed both concern and ability for academic achievement, and it is that, more than race, that distinguishes her. Her origin, academically speaking, is only a bonus. The objectionable Caucasians in her class resented her because she achieved. They should have taken the opportunity to try to achieve as well. It is by this friendly atmosphere of academic competition that racism at SIU can be defeated. Instead of seeing race, let us see that Chavez achieved a high level of academic success, beating others by the same standards. A truly academic community praises success, whatever the color in which it comes.
Julian D. Bukalski
graduate student, literature
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
