Letter to the Editor: Diversity scholarship winner donates money

Dear Editor,

In response to the recent campaign by the College Republicans criticizing affirmative action as reverse discrimination, I would like to voice my opposition.  They offered a $100 so-called “diversity scholarship” (January 23rd Statesman) to a non-white student who submits the best response to their prompt: “Does reverse discrimination exist in America and in what form?”  This was meant to be both inflammatory and mocking while drawing attention to their position.

In response to this hypocritical publicity stunt, I decided to submit the following satirical essay:

“Reverse discrimination exists. Through institutions such as slavery, disenfranchisement, and segregation, white Americans have driven a metaphorical car over members of ethnic minorities. Now, by undoing remedies to such past injustices, we have put the car in reverse.”

To my amazement, they informed me that I had won the scholarship.  I suspect they failed to appreciate the subtlety of my metaphor.  Before receiving the $100 cash award for this submission, I had the opportunity to speak with Spencer Taylor, the president of this misguided organization.  I tried to point out the importance of cultural and racial diversity; that there is a real discrepancy in the resources available to ethnic minorities and the status quo and that there is a need for institutionalized mechanisms to begin leveling the playing field.  He responded with canned arguments and was unable or unwilling to see my perspective.

Rather than use this award for my own research, I felt this was an opportunity for the College Republicans to join in a good cause.  I donated the entire amount to USU’s Multicultural Student Services to administer as part of the Café Sabor Scholarship to support multicultural student leadership.

Joshua Der