Letter To The Editor

I have pretty much breezed by my four years at UB undetected. I have voiced no strong opinions on any controversial subject publicly before this moment. I read Feb. 24's paper, and I knew that I had to offer another response to Jamie Lynn Perna's opinion on affirmative action, and I would like to address Mr. Laniyan('s letter to the editor), as well. I hope that this will be the last of such comments so that we might stop pouring salt in the proverbial wound of American history.

I will indulge my naivet?(c) and afford Perna credit that surely she did not intend to offend any African Americans or any other minority group represented on UB's campus by offering her opinion on affirmative action. Unfortunately, I can't quote Perna verbatim, but if my memory serves me correctly, her overall feeling was that affirmative action serves as a "crutch" for minorities to milk "the system" for advancement. Whether it is used for secondary education, employment, or any other opportunities, many (I did not say all), of the majority cannot see why it is necessary for us to use such programs to obtain our slice of the American pie. I must note that it is crucial that programs like these exist, as I can speak for minorities and say that it is difficult for us to get loans to own our own homes, start our own businesses and receive monies to improve our neighborhoods.

I will not address Perna's comments as a "gross sin" as Laniyan has chosen to do, although I will call them severely negligent and errant. As one who has been enlightened and exposed to secondary education through the help of affirmative action and its subsequent programs, I am mindful to not make such grievous errors and rash judgments, especially not on paper. Ms. Perna, be grateful that you are not a suspect in a variety of daily situations that many take for granted, like driving in suburban neighborhoods, shopping in more upscale stores, standing on a corner in a poorer neighborhood, et cetera. Be grateful that you have any school to choose from based on your ethnic group first and then your academic ability. It must be nice to instantly be treated like you matter to society and to be trusted everywhere you go.

Unfortunately, this is not the case of minorities. I can say without hyperbole that we are all stereotyped in one way or another in respect to our various and most beautiful cultures. Ms. Perna, racism is alive and well in 2003. To deny its existence is a "gross sin." A look at the glaringly untrue and hurtful comments of Asians, blacks, Arabs, and others on the walls of the carrels of our fine libraries will tell you this. I could be sitting in class next to these people who use cowardice and anonymity as their weapon to convey a strong message of hatred of me and the people I represent.

I resent affirmative action being called a "crutch" for me and other people of color to use to achieve our most dear and personal dreams. Calling it a crutch makes it equivalent to an excuse, which it is most certainly not. In a perfect world, we would not need such programs, but we do not live in one and we did not ask to be made to aspire using a broken leg. I will most gladly use my "crutch" to achieve my goals, and, Mr. Laniyan, right on, soul brotha (sic).