Cerberus, I do see where you?re coming from, however you and others should also realize that ones color/ethnicity/religion does play a indirect role on who we become as a person, whether positive or negative. Therefore, ones ideas, background and experience could indeed be shaped the individual?s phenotype/and or beliefs?for better or for worse.
On the other hand, I completely detest the ?chip on the shoulder? attitude that some minorities carry with them?blaming all there problems on the ?white people?. Although slavery/racism has greatly contributed to the socio-political and economic inequalities that most minority communities experience today, I feel the ?minority? mentality we tend to carry further perpetuates the problem. We as a under represented community should aspire to be the best we can be, while finding ways to use our past and current struggles to make ourselves and our communities stronger. I know this might sound a little daisy and na?ve but this is what needs to be done to improve our personal and community esteem?to show that we can rise above the detrimental effects slavery(causing the unequal playing field) and racism (morale breaker) had and still has in our society today.
For those who truly believe racism or a ?glass- ceiling? is non-existent in the US, please explain to me why the most ethnically/culturally diverse nation in the world is yet to have a minority presidential candidate win their parties primary... talk less of becoming the president . As a matter of fact, why hasn't their been a Jewish president, or better yet, a Muslim? Why is it called a riot/protest when minorities congregate and not a meeting/demonstration? On the social level, why is there still burning of black-churches in the 21st century? Why are some Mexicans attempting to cross the border killed, when all they?re seeking is a shot at the American-Dream? Why is there ?White-flight?, when successful minorities move into predominantly ?white? communities or affluent suburbs?
The United States has truly come along way from the demoralizing institution of slavery, and overt racism of its past, however we should not pretend as if everything is A-Okay? though I wish it was?. 🙂
Oh yeah, though I like and support the intent of the OP, I would like to advise current and future URM-applicants to please look beyond the demographics of an institution when applying. Though it is important, other factors such as net-working opportunities, quality of education, and other person-to-person variables should be considered. In addition, by congregating at particular schools, we are indirectly endorsing segregation? something many individuals before us spent there entire lives fighting against.
