I think Meghan Durbak’s article yesterday was really interesting and I wanted to comment on it because I feel the article is very racist.

Before I came to college I had never experienced racism; however, in the time I have spent here I have learned racism is not something that specifically targets minorities. Sometimes those of us who are white also experience racism.

I have no idea what it is like to grow up as a person of color; however, I was in an ethnic studies class with Manny Vadillo and he taught me that racism is wrong. According to the Oxford English dictionary racism is “The theory that distinctive human characteristics and abilities are determined by race.” Saying that this gentlemen applying for the job is incapable of performing the job because of his race is racism.

People are so afraid of the word “racism” they will censor themselves for hours; however, I would like to stand up and be counted by saying “racism in all forms is wrong.” Just because you are using racism against someone with white privilege does not justify what you are doing.

I feel we should go back to what Dr. King said “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’ …I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.”

It is these words that remind me what the goals of our society should be. I pray and hope that people will stop judging each other on the color of their skin and start judging each other on their credentials and ability to perform said jobs.

michael lambert underGRADUATE STUDENT [email protected]