Joe Mroszczyk, College Republicans president at Boston University, wants to
put an end to race-based scholarships intended to benefit minority students. So what did he do? He developed a $250 Caucasian Achievement and Recognition Scholarship that can be awarded only to whites.
The scholarship, based on the premise that racial preferences are an extreme form of bigotry, ignores the goal of most universities who provide race-based scholarships to create a positive atmosphere and expand diversity among students.
Considering UW-Madison administration was recently accused of providing poor access to deserving minority and low-income students, it would be in the best interest of other schools to be more aware of the messages they send to minorities.
Without certain racial privileges, a number of minorities would be faced with financial shortcomings and unable to earn a college degree. While this assertion cannot be applied indefinitely, it must be acknowledged that U.S. history has contributed to a gap between the races and has placed minorities at an obvious disadvantage.
Two years ago, students involved in College Republicans at Roger Williams University began awarding the same type of scholarship to white students.
While the Boston scholarship has not yet received any applicants, it continues to portray the ignorance and thoughtlessness of the organization's students. If no one applies for the scholarship, the money will be wasted, and will only fuel the fire for those already against the scholarship.
Though Mroszczyk says his intention is simply to begin a dialogue regarding racial preference, he is going about the situation in the wrong way entirely.
As a recognized member of his student organization, Mroszczyk could have easily initiated a debate about the pros and cons of affirmative action through more appropriate means and have elicited just as significant a response.
Student minorities at Boston University have already stated they would welcome honest dialogue and debate about race and affirmative action, but Mroszczyk has chosen a less rational approach.
On the scholarship, Mroszczyk and the College Republicans have stated ""We believe that racial preferences in all their forms are perhaps the worst form of bigotry confronting America today.""
Yet at the same time, they are explicitly demonstrating favoritism for Caucasians by offering the scholarship in the first place.
If they so adamantly believe that money should be awarded based on merit alone, then they should encourage the academic competition that exists when equally gifted white and minority students are given the chance to learn together.
If they are confident that white students are more deserving, let the grades speak for themselves.
While some label the scholarship as expected on the basis that Boston University is a private school likely accompanied by educational, moral and cultural hypocrisies, it doesn't decrease the responsibility it has toward all young minds as an accredited institution of education.
The debate surrounding appropriate educational methods of affirmative action is ongoing and is sure to remain controversial for years to come.
However, fighting minority-based scholarships with white-based scholarships solves nothing. If Mroszczyk and his followers want to be taken seriously, they would be wise to present their argument as the educated, deserving students they claim to be.
Jessica Sprang is a senior majoring in journalism. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
