One Florida Spurs Debate
By Manoucheka Celeste (from The Gainesville Sun)
University of Florida

GAINESVILLE - On a recent morning in my history class, we had a discussion about slavery. I was one of two African-American students in the class.

For some reason, I expected everyone to feverishly defend their ancestors’ actions. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that some of them were more passionate about it than me.

Then, somehow we found ourselves discussing affirmative action.

Recently the University of Florida was rocked by the story that graced the front page of many Florida newspapers: Gov. Bush ordering an end to consideration of race in university admissions.

Bush is trying to stay one step ahead of the anti-affirmative action machine, whose work can be seen in California and Washington. This crusade is led by Ward Connerly, a "black" man who benefited from affirmative action. Now, to save face, Gov. Bush must beat him to the punch.

I hadn’t really formed an opinion on the issue until now.

In class the other African-American student addressed a very important issue. She said affirmative action helped black people because "the majority of them came from the inner city and had broken homes." She was from a middle class suburb and attended a predominantly white school. She mentioned that less-qualified white students who were denied admission to UF thought she was only accepted because she was black.

My situation is similar to hers. I was born in Haiti, and it was not until I was in my teens that I was told that being black was taboo. Since moving to the United States, I have lived in nice neighborhoods and went to school with white and Hispanic students.

I never believed I was inferior to others. I was a good student who took care of business. When I applied to colleges last year, I had no doubt that I was accepted for my performance, not my race.

I was extremely offended this semester when one of my roommates, drowning in ignorance, made a comment. She wanted to write a paper about how people were accepted to colleges because "they’re black."

So I asked her if that was why I got accepted to this competitive university. Did she know that I graduated at the top of my class and had been there since elementary school? Did she know that in a predominantly white school, I was the president of three organizations including National Honor Society? Did she know that I was involved in band, chorus, newspaper, track and numerous other activities? Did she know that I received numerous prestigious awards and scholarships for my achievements?

Affirmative action is not crippling in the fight against racism; racism and ignorance are crippling affirmative action.

Affirmative action not only benefits African-Americans. Hispanics, Native Americans, women of all ethnicities, etc. also benefit.

Affirmative action is not meant to punish white males for the wrong their ancestors did. Instead, it is meant to assure that minorities who, without a doubt, have been and continue to be discriminated against have a fair chance at getting ahead.

Its purpose is not to right the wrongs of slavery and racism. Racism lives in the hearts of those blinded by hatred and tradition. We cannot end it, but we can educate children of its evils. Until the world decides to get rid of all color lines and racist thoughts, laws are needed to protect women and minorities from discrimination.

I will deal with the ignorance and prove my qualifications if it means my children won’t have to. I am where I am only because my parents and others dealt with worse circumstances in order to make things better for me.

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