New ideas, not social ‘band-aids,’ combat racism
By Daily Bruin Staff
Jan. 24, 1995 9:00 p.m.
New ideas, not social ‘band-aids,’ combat racism
By Randall Park
James Lebakken’s Viewpoint article ("Is success in life a foot
race or a state lottery?" Jan. 23) is yet another example of the
problem of reaching for the apples of exception to support an
argument.
Lebakken takes great lengths to prove that affirmative action is
racist, supporting the ideas that there are many "accomplished
minorities" and many activities against "racism." I wholeheartedly
agree that affirmative action is racist. It excludes hard-working
Americans from achieving the goals that they have worked for with
great determination "since youth" simply because they are not part
of the minority.
But that doesn’t mean that affirmative action is wrong.
Affirmative action is but a mere band-aid applied to the deep
cuts of injustice that have left the lives of minorities in a state
where their only hopes are set on the NBA, the entertainment
industry or industries unlike that of Johnnie Cochran or UC Regent
Ward Connerly.
To assume that a particular person’s "record" is an accurate
reflection of that person’s ability to become "successful" is yet
another means of subliminal scarring performed by minds like
Lebakken’s. Some of the greatest thoughts and ideas come from the
minds of those who aren’t expected to attain success.
Though Lebakken quotes J.S. Mill’s term "collective mediocrity"
in support of his thesis, I believe Mill would have thought
differently.
"Collective mediocrity" is represented in the white faces of our
country’s leadership. It is the reason why so many "successful
minorities" want to separate themselves from their roots. It is the
reason why Lebakken wrote that article: to keep the future of
America under a rule of "collective mediocrity."
We have to face the facts  society is racist and as a
result, we are all racist. Mill would argue that the only way to
fight this racism is to add diversity to society, thus bringing
forth new ideas, instead of the same shit that "collective
mediocrity" has been feeding us ever since and even before Mill’s
time.
Mr. Lebakken, I do not appreciate the racism laced about your
presentation of ideas, not because they are racist, but because you
claim not to be. We all have "minority friends," but whether we
care for their thoughts as opposed to ours is another matter
entirely.
Park is a junior English student.
