In her Nov. 8 op−ed "Confronting integration with education, empathy," Sarah Tralins, yet another student who has claimed to empathize with the minority populace, has said, "I am a student who has actively advocated for racial equality and assimilation at Tufts." Her flawed, somewhat ignorant ignorance of racial inequalities is perhaps her greatest downfall in her attempts to advocate on the behalf of individuals she does not understand. Closer reading and analysis of my Nov. 1 op−ed entitled "What happens when assimilation and integration fails?" would have revealed my message that minorities at Tufts are tired of being told to assimilate. By minorities, I am referring to non−white Tufts students on campus: This includes countless Asian and Asian−American students, students of African descent, students of Hispanic descent, Native American students and all other ethnically identifying groups. Instead of being told to assimilate, we would like to be accepted and embraced for who we are as human beings, despite our cultural and socioeconomic differences.
To touch briefly on another topic Tralins mentioned, as a biracial individual of both African−American and a Caucasian heritage, my "desire for whiteness" has been caused by my longing for social acceptance and my own privilege while at Tufts. I do not desire whiteness because I am culturally confused or envious, but because, as a person of mixed race who identifies as a minority, I am systematically denied opportunities and acceptance that I so rightly deserve. To continue on the topic of privilege, the term "white privilege" is not derogatory, nor is it meant to be offensive. In my experiences at Tufts, many majority (white) students exercise their white privilege subconsciously everyday. This term refers to more than just a socioeconomic advantage, but a feeling of superiority and, as Tralins says, "immunity" that comes with their white skin, and, in some but not all instances, economic stability. Based on my experiences with a plethora of individuals at Tufts, many deny their white privilege claiming that they can relate to minorities because they are from certain neighborhoods or grew up impoverished.
Just because you can relate to some minority hardships (which is not to say that all minority individuals grow up impoverished or in underdeveloped neighborhoods), being white in this world is a privilege that is parallel to no other.
I challenge these individuals who claim their white skin and associated benefits are not a privilege to ask themselves, have you ever been oppressed based on the color of your skin? Have you ever had people refuse to speak to you or acknowledge your presence for no apparent reason? Have you ever been discriminated against because of your race? Most likely you will not encounter too many white individuals at Tufts who have.
In my own attempts to gain majority support for the elimination of social inequality, I will shed more light on my own experiences at Tufts, although I cannot claim that my experiences are typical of all minority experiences. Too often have I heard defamatory racial slurs used by majority individuals without repercussions or reprimands. When I approach said individuals they respond by saying they "don't mean it that way." When I walk around this campus and speak to majority individuals, too often am I given cold stares or sometimes, people look down at their feet as to not acknowledge my presence. Why is that? Oh, I know, it's because Tufts is just not a friendly place. Yes, that was sarcasm! I must say, as I have said before in my previous article, I have struggled and still struggle with gaining social acceptance at Tufts, and this is true for many minority students.
To respond to the claims of the author who says, "At Tufts, privilege is just being here," I suppose this is true for you and others like you. But I, and many others, viewed Tufts as an opportunity; instead it has been one big disappointment after another. What privileges have I gained from feeling oppressed, discriminated against or feeling that others refuse to acknowledge my presence, in addition to other illnesses? Furthermore, the author also says that she does not feel that all minority individuals must partake in three options I originally suggested: Assimilate, leave or struggle. She instead suggests that minorities and majority students should engage in dialogue to resolve these issues. Well, if you and other majority persons feel this way, come to the cultural houses, attend ethnic symposiums, engage in conversation with others you do not know and lastly, do not empathize but act. I urge you to use your white privilege to make concrete change. When I speak out against racial inequality, I am labeled as a misfit, but when my majority friends do it, they are viewed as sympathizers who want to cause change. Why is that?
The author also goes on to say, "I know that in all of my activity on campus, not once have I been able to ask minority students questions and get direct answers; I have always felt as part of the ‘others' and never a member of the group. I have been told that I just ‘wouldn't understand' or ‘can't identify.'" Well, you can speak directly with me at any point in time. If there is anything I can do to facilitate integration, I will do my part. Lastly, I ask that you do not feel empathy for me. I have come to terms with the institutionalized oppression at this university and will to the best of my ability to challenge inequality wherever I may see, in addition to exposing it. Additionally, if you are as willing to advocate for integration as you say you are, I expect to see your face at future black solidarity events or perhaps even at the cultural houses, such as the Start House, La Casa, the Women's Center, etc., or at Association of Latin American Students meetings, to which you have just been cordially invited. My only advice to the author is to understand that while you may empathize with us in our endeavors to eliminate minority inequality, you must be willing to be an "outsider," and realize that integration is possible and that you can do more.
So to the author who claims to empathize, move forward and fight for progression, James Baldwin says it best: "If the word integration means anything, this is what it means: that we, with love, shall force our brothers to see themselves as they are, to cease fleeing from reality and begin to change it."
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Samuel Murray is a sophomore who is majoring in sociology and religion.
