Bake sale offensive to students

n The recent uproar spawned by the Boston University College Republicans, though perhaps ideologically founded, is nothing short of imbecilic. I find it childish and petty to purport creating “a marketplace of ideas, a place for free expression” (“Event was not discriminatory,” pg. 7, Feb. 24) under the guise of an activity meant to blatantly disgrace the merits of minorities on campus.

To make the picture clearer, let’s look at affirmative action more closely. First, the assumption that minorities who benefit from affirmative action are less qualified than their white counterparts is absurd. The bake sale, under a similar assumption, placed all preferential focus on race without regard for anything else. At least in university processes, this is simply not the case with affirmative action. Further, this implication alone is a deliberate slap in the face to minorities on campus. Congratulations.

Secondly, a simple look at de facto institutionalized discrimination and segregation still prevalent today warrants an even closer look at the necessity of affirmative action. I don’t think it’s necessary to list all the ills minorities continue to face as a result of past repression. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the innumerable studies done by several noteworthy institutions that chronicle the current plight of minorities in the United States as a result of racial prejudice — a problem that I’m sure the BU College Republicans would assert that minorities are somehow inherently responsible for.

Race relations in America are an issue and pretending that race is no longer an issue is not an ablution of the problem. Although “race-talk” is dirt that everyone wants to sweep under the carpet, it’s inane to think that the consequences of racism don’t continue to permeate our society. Did I forget to mention that, in a basic numbers game, the greatest beneficiaries from affirmative action are single, white females? And that the beneficiaries of affirmative action from a socio-economic standpoint would also be white people since whites make up a larger percentage of the impoverished?

I’m not going to call for anyone’s expulsion or suspension — free speech, in its proper context, can be healthy. However, the BU College Republicans, as evidenced by their bake sale stunt, are nothing more than a bunch of children who threw stones and now have their hands dirty. Stop hiding behind a veil of moral concern and just admit it — the event was never intended to prompt debate or even mobilize individuals to look at ways to reform affirmative action. The event accomplished what it sought to do: openly demean minority students.

If minority degradation was not the goal, where is the debate? Where is the BU College Republicans’ request for an open discussion with administrators and minority groups? Where is the cost-benefit analysis of just what race-based affirmative action has accomplished? I challenge the BU College Republicans to come out and put it all on the line. Either fess up to what the real goal was and show yourself for the insensitive children you are, or follow through with the “opening” of dialogue you claimed to support. I’m an African-American and on the Boston University Debate Team — trust me, I can take it.

Deon Provost

CAS ’06