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Relations
Week
Usually when anyone discusses race rela
tions, particularly during things like the
University’s Race Relations Week, they
often limit conversation to ways whites and
blacks can better interact outside of the
workplace or the classroom without alter
cation. The mentality taken during such
discussions suggests that the only people of
different ethnic backgrounds are black or
white, forgetting the many cultures often
referred to as “other” that exist in our soci
ety.
People who fall into that “other” catego
ry, consisting of Hispanic, Asian and
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DTH/ZEBULON HOU
While most people would notice that these students congregating outside of Union Station have segregated themselves along color lines, few would notice
that no Hispanic, Asian or Native Americans are integrated among either group.
Asian Americans active in racial equality quest
Historically, the Asian American
community has followed the
lead of African Americans in
the discussion of race relations. Some
would criticize the Asian American
community for its difference in actively
participating in the discussion. These
same critics often form strange theories
to explain the Asian American commu
nity’s background presence. Here are
three that we have heard:
1) “Asians are among the more capa
ble and intelligent members of society
and don’t need the opportunities that
other minority groups seek as a product
of race relations.”
2) “As members of a shy and permis
sive race, Asians are inclined to defer to
another minority group when it comes
to carrying the banner in the struggle for
racial equality.” And our own personal
favorite:
3) “Asians are more like white people,
thus have fewer racial tensions to
resolve.”
These theories are interesting and
somewhat humorous all around, but
they stray far from the truth about Asian
Americans and their involvement in race
relations in the United States. Moreover,
by relying on stereotypes, the theories
are inherently damaging to strong race
relations.
Rather, the Asian American commu-
... as well as red, yellow, beige, pink, nutmeg,
mauve, puce well, you get the idea. It’s a ver
itable rainbow out there in the real world. So
why is our discourse locked into black and white
with no shades of grey?
nity’s partici
pation in the
discussion of
race relations
is both appro-
JEDLAU&
MICHELE LIU
GUEST COLUMNISTS
priate and timely.
We would be in error if we failed to
recognize the contributions that African
Americans have made in the struggle for
racial equality in the United States
contributions that have, for the most
part, benefited all minority groups living
in this country.
However, the Asian American com
munity has not always followed in the
footsteps of the African American com
munity with regard to race relations. At
the same time, the community has not
always remained silent behind the
majority’s status quo.
When the occasion has arisen, the
Asian American community has
demonstrated an ability to take firm
stands on issues.
The current activism in California
over new non-affirmative action-based
admissions policies per Proposition 209
demonstrates the solidarity of this com
munity.
In this particular struggle, Asian
Americans are significantly more upset
about the racism that has motivated the
new admissions policies (which, inci
dentally, are still going to be ineffective
Native Americans and non-citizens of
the United States, made up 10.2 percent
of the total enrollment for fall semester
1996. That was .6 percent more than the
total enrollment for African American
students. With that in mind, it’s amaz
ing that society generally excludes non
blacks and non-whites when discussing
issues surrounding racism and discrim
ination.
Including people of all cultures and eth
nic backgrounds in the discussions about
society’s race problem is the only way to
find concrete solutions, rather than special
“To stay current, the
discussion of race relations
will have to move away from
the long-seated focus of block
and white relations ...”
in fostering diverse student bodies) than
they are upset about the new policies
themselves.
In general, the Asian American expe
rience will continue to meet the chal
lenges of the current state of race rela
tions in the U.S.
This idea of focusing on the “current
state” is, we believe, very important. The
current state of an institution’s demog
raphy should be the driving force behind
policy making, not history.
While the cause of a current state can
be attributed in large part to history, the
policies themselves must not be based on
history; otherwise, they run the risk of
neglecting the needs of the here and
now.
The implied message, of course, is
that a policy needs to have room to
adjust over time. As populations evolve,
so too must the standards that are
applied. Only then can policy be fair,
and only then can race relations be eval
OP-ED
uated and discussed accurately.
The future of race relations promises
to be exciting as it gains more momen
tum than ever before. According to The
Seattle Times, the rate of married inter
racial couples has jumped 275 percent
since 1970, while the rate for same-race
couples has grown only 16 percent.
The implication is that the United
States is going to continue to experience
a tremendous increase in the population
of interracial citizens. By then, America
will be a true melting pot not only on
a demographic level, but also on an indi
vidual level.
To stay current, the discussion of race
relations will have to move away from
the long-seated focus of black and white
relations for a more inclusive, decentral
ized examination of multiculturalism.
We are optimistic that appropriate poli
cy-making will follow suit.
As members of the Asian American
community, we look forward to contin
uing our participation in this valuable
discourse.
Jed Lau is a junior computer science major
from McClean, VA. He is co-president of the
Asian Students Association.
Michele Liu is a senior biology major from
Charlotte. She is the Cultural Committee Chair
of the Asian Students Association.
Distribution of students by race
Contrary to discourse on race relations that worry
about blacks 1 and whites' relationships on
/ v campus, the "other” category made up
more of the total student enrollment for
minorities than did blacks in fall 1996.
White 80.2%
African American 9.6%
Non-resident alien 3.3% -
Native American 0.6%
SOURCE OFFICE OF INSTITimONAL RESEARCH DTH/IAKE ZARNEGAR
weeks or frivilous discussions for diversity,
equal opportunity and understanding to
better get along.
TEXT COMPILED BY DEVONA A. BROWN
South Asians accepted
because of assimilation
Race relations is often a difficult
subject to discuss, despite the
time the campus sets aside a
week to “celebrate” it. And even when
we do get together to talk, we most often
scrutinize race relations as a black and
white issue. However, when I was
approached to write this column, I was
asked to ponder the question, “Do I, as
a South Asian, feel included on this
campus?”
After carefully thinking about my
response, I guess I’ve decided the answer
is probably not. You must realize that I
can’t speak for the entire South Asian
community. This is primarily because I
think the question is a personal one that
is difficult to comprehensively answer.
Nonetheless, I’ll share what I have
specifically observed at this University.
First, let me state that to a small
degree there is some acceptance of the
South Asian culture. But even this state
ment has to be qualified, because the
fact is, what most people know about
South Asia stems entirely from the
North Indian perspective.
However, there are handfuls of peo
ple who truly care about the enlighten
ment brought about by intercultural
exchange. With a scholarly pursuit,
these few immerse themselves in differ
ent cultures to learn more about them
selves. It’s not that difficult to point
them out, they are the ones who live in
UNITAS or stick out like sore thumbs at
Sangam meetings. But like I said, those
people are few and far between.
As for the rest of the University, if
they accept us and include us, it is not
because of their eagerness to learn from
us.
Instead, it is because of our willing
ness to assimilate into their culture, or
into the typical “American” culture.
And of course, there are those of us
who have been more willing to assimi
late than others.
This willingness to assimilate may
explain why the Asian studies depart
ment at this University is so weak.
South Asians have not taken the ini
tiative to demand an in-depth Asian
studies curriculum; and only when they
see the need to academically educate
themselves about their own culture will
they see the potential value of such a
DTH/ZEBUIONHOII
Students gather along racial lines to eat lunch in Hanes Pavilion.
Even here, the line is drawn between cultures and colors.
Monday, November 10, 1997
curriculum. In
contrast,
African
Americans in
order to main
tain and high
fight then
diversity have
passionately
fought for the
development
of the African
American
Studies
; MINESHP.Vin
EDfTORttL WRITER
Program.
Generally speaking, I’ve noticed that
South Asians have not taken as active a
stand to improve race relations for them
selves. This is probably due to the fact
that, as a community, it’s really not nec
essary.
South Asians on this campus, and in
this country, are lucky we usually get
along with everyone. We have been
endowed with a number of positive
stereotypes that increase “our mar
ketability” as a community.
Consequently, we have been accepted by
a number of races. I almost think the
basic truth is white people like us
because we are not black, and black peo
ple like us because we are not white.
Even though this is just my opinion
and a broad generalization, I honestly
believe this statement warrants some
attention and merit. Nevertheless, for
whatever social, economical, and/or
political reasons, South Asians have
found a niche in a number of racial and
ethnic communities.
Regardless of what has been said, I
ultimately see value in discussing race
relations outside of black and white
issues. But before the dialogue can even
begin, South Asians as a community
must comprehend the importance of
true cultural awareness.
They will have to partially abandon
the “American” culture they have come
to embrace. Race relations must be rede
fined for South Asians. Similarly, the
same discourse that has been used to
improve interactions between blacks and
whites must be revamped.
Minesh Patel is a sophomore biology and eco
nomics major from Raleigh.
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