The Growing Problem of Racism and Appropriate Solutions - Essay Example

Part II: Public Argument Letter Miami Dear Sir/Madam, Re: The Growing Problem of Racism and Appropriate Solutions Racism is a serious formof social injustice that is common in most public schools throughout the country. Miami University comes out as one of the universities that has experienced many incidences of racial intolerance from the academic staff and among students themselves. Students from the Asian community, especially the Chinese students, are currently finding it difficult to study at Miami University because of the high incidences of racism directed against them. For instance, the students from China were recently described by a member of the university staff as unqualified and "dead weight" (Staff Writer par. 5). In the opinion article, the person argued that Chinese people should not be admitted to the University because their continued admission is lowering the standards of the University. It is critical to note, however, that racism in Miami University is not only directed towards the people from the Asian community, but also towards the minority students in the university (Fast par.3). Almost all the people from the minority races are complaining that they are abused racially in one way or another. The state of racism in the school can be compared to the days when the Jim Crow law allowed racism to be practiced openly. The Jim Crow law allowed racial segregation that was practiced blatantly against the minority, the blacks in particular then. However, racism in Miami is now even more evident. Chinese students, in particular, currently find it difficult to study in the campus because they are targeted by racial abuses and stereotypes. With the technological advancements that have occurred in the recent past, racism is currently being practiced in a much different form. Unlike in the past, when racism was blatantly expressed in the open, today, the majority of racists direct their racist comments to their victims via the Internet, social media in particular. In fact, most racist abuses that are currently directed towards the students from the Asian community at Miami campus are expressed through social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. As an example, a Miami senior posted a tweet in respect of an Asian student, “Found the cutest cat outside of Thompson. I named him lunch box special” (Wong par. 2). Clearly, the senior student was equating the Asian student to a cat, a statement that is expressly racist. However, it is high time for the university administration to rise and fight the ghost of racism as it affects the students and entire university negatively as noted by (Staff Writer1 par. 5). In fact, most of the students from the Asian community who have suffered the most from racism in the university say that racism has impacted badly on their education. They claim that they have been having trouble studying or concentrating in class because some people see them as non-human beings that ought not to be studying at the University. Some note that racism in the university has terrified them because they fear that other students might racially attack them (Wong par.2). Students who have been racially abused state that they are contemplating changing universities because the administration has not put appropriate policies and measures to safeguard them from racist students and academic staff (Mackson par. 4). Additionally, students that face racial abuse say that they have found it difficult speaking their first language or identifying with their culture at the campus for fear of being teased or harassed. Others attribute their low grades to racism that has significantly affected their concentration both in class and outside the classroom. It is important for the university administration to understand that the rampant racism in the university is not just impacting negatively on the students, who experience racism, but also the university. Firstly, the rampant racism at the university has painted the University in a bad light to the society. Having a positive image is very important for the success of the university. Unfortunately, the image of Miami University has suffered significantly because of the high incidences of racism that is reported in the institution now and then. Potential international students are likely to read the negative images painted of foreigners through social media. The bad image is likely to see a decline in the number of international students and minority communities seeking admission in the school for fear of experiencing racism in case they are admitted in the school. Secondly, allowing racism to continue being practiced in the university is not doing any good to the university because it increases the incidences of conflict between students themselves or between students and lecturers, which paints the name of the school in bad light. In fact, the campus has witnessed numerous incidences of conflicts between students because of racism. This is bad for the school since it has the effect of making the parents and students lose confidence in the university. Additionally, the lack of integration in the school also impacts negatively on the teachers by making them lose the enjoyment of teaching. This has the effect of lowering the level of the Universitys academic standards, which is not good for the university. Therefore, it is important for the university administrators to address the problem, not only in Miami, but in almost all universities across the country. In fact, there are a number of solutions that university administers can adopt to solve the problem. Firstly, school administrators can solve the problem of racism in universities by making diversity part of an organizational culture by defining it in the vision, mission and goals of the institution. This will help everyone in the campus ensure that diversity is promoted in all the departments of the organization. According to Vaggalis (3), this strategy has particularly worked very well for Harvard University that is known for the diversity both in its admission and protection. Secondly, ensuring that all admissions are done purely on merit can solve the problem of racism in the institutions of higher learning. For instance, in an article by NoÃlle (par 6), the author revealed that Charissa Newkirk was admitted to high school, not because of her qualification, but because the university saw her as an asset because of her race. Such racial biases in admission are what promote racism throughout the organization. Therefore, solving the problem requires ensuring that all admissions are done based on a students academic qualifications but not based on the color of the skin, race or nationality. This can be implemented by the formation of a racially diverse oversight committee that is dedicated to seeing that admissions are solely based on academic performance. Going this direction will ensure that no one ethnic group or race is favored or disfavored compared to the rest. Thirdly, institutions of higher learning, such as Miami University can consider solving the problem of racism by introducing cultural education. Evidence across all the universities in the country shows that racial integration remains a problem because of lack of understanding of each others culture. This is because some students from a particular culture do not understand the colleagues culture while others view their culture as superior to the rest. Therefore, solving the problem of racism should start by ensuring that students are made to understand and embrace the uniqueness of other students culture. The most appropriate way to do this is to make cultural education mandatory for all the new students are admitted to the university. This will help promote cultural integration since it will make every student that is admitted to the university understand and embrace other cultures. All first year students joining the university should take a core course on cultural education within their first two semesters. The course that should be taught by professional sociologists should be tested like all other courses in the university. Fourthly, the problem of racism is still rampant in most institutions of higher learning because the administration appears to entertain it (Staff Writer2 par. 6). Evidence shows that most lecturers and students practice racism in the schools because they know that they will get away with it whether the administration learns of the racism or not. Therefore, to solve the problem of racism in the institutions of higher learning should ensure that harsh punitive measures are taken against any lecturer or student found to be directive racism abuses against other students at the university. The punitive measures that the university administrators should consider implementing include expelling any student or lecturer found guilty of racism abuse. It is only through standing tough that school administrators will be able to tackle the problem of racism in the countrys institutions of higher learning. Additionally, the problem of racial intolerance in institutions of higher learning can be solved through affirmative action as suggested by Sue (45). Implementing affirmative action policies will help in promoting racial tolerance and harmony in the offices and classrooms. Further, solving the problem of racism in the universities might require establishing diversity programs, where students and lecturers participate in sharing their cultural heritage and experiences. Such programs will make students and staff from other races understand the cultural aspects of the students from other races, thereby improving racial tolerance and harmony. Further, the university administrators can effectively deal with the problem of racism in the school by exposing all the students to racism so that they can see for themselves the negative effects of racism on the individuals. It is noted that some students practice racism in schools because they do not understand the short-term and long-term effects that racism might have on the students and the university as a whole. Therefore, the administrators can use past videos of racism as it was practiced in schools during the Jim Crow era or the videos of the Apartheid era in South Africa. From the videos, the students will see for themselves why it is not right for them to practice it against their fellow students since racism not only impact on the individuals who experience it, but it goes beyond. Moreover, the university can deal effectively with racism in the school by promoting cultural integration through sports and cultural festivals (Sue 56). Evidence has shown that sporting events and inter-cultural festivals are an effective way of promoting cultural integration among people from different cultures. For instance, during inter-cultural festivals, students from different cultures are given the opportunity to showcase their talents and cultural practices that students from other cultures may not have been aware. Accordingly, this gives students and lecturers a chance to learn and embrace the uniqueness of other cultures, thereby helping break the cultural barriers that cause racism and discrimination. Sporting events have also helped many schools minimize the incidences of racism. Sociologists have noted that sports help in eliminating racism in schools because it requires that all the members of a team depend on each other in order to win. In the process, the members of a team get to learn about each other, make friends and embrace each other as members of a team. In the process, this helps in eliminating racism in schools. In this respect, the institution should organize yearly tournaments that pit racially diverse groups (such as one class) against other racially diverse groups. In conclusion, racism remains a serious problem in American society and the institutions of higher learning, in particular. Currently, as much as students from minority races face racism at Miami University, evidence shows that most racial abuses are directed towards international students, especially those from the Asian community. Currently, the students from the Asian community, Chinese, in particular, are finding life extremely difficult at the university since they are racially abused, teased, discriminated against and stereotyped. This has made learning difficult for these international students to the level that the majority is even contemplating leaving the university in such of another university, where they can be accommodated, and their unique culture respected. Therefore, it would be very important if the university administrators acted with speech to salvage the situation before it gets out of hand to eliminate this form of social injustice. Fortunately, the university administration has many strategies that it can employ to eliminate the vice to enable Chinese students learn in a friendly environment where they are respected and valued. Accordingly, some of the strategies that the administrators can consider adopting include making diversity a vision and goal of a company, admitting students on merit, introducing diversity education, affirmative action and creating diversity programs where staff and students can learn about each others culture, thereby promoting racial integration. Additionally, the university administrators can eliminate racism by ensuring zero tolerance for racism. In this respect, the university should ensure that any student or lecturer found to practice racism is expelled immediately to act as an example to the rest. Further, administrators should also consider promoting sporting activities and intercultural festivals in schools to give students a chance to integrate and learn from each other, thereby helping eliminate cultural misunderstanding that trigger racism. Yours sincerely, Name & Signature: Ying Jiang Works Cited Bernard, E, NoÃlle. “Miami Needs To Look Beyond Race So Students Can Live Above Stigma Of Affirmative Action.” The Miami Student, January 30, 2012. Web. 23 March 2015http://miamistudent.net/?p=108462 Fast, Austin.” Achieving Diversity A Test Of Courage.” The Miami Student, April 30, 2010. Web. 23 March 2015 http://miamistudent.net/?p=109125 Mackson, Rachel. “Miami Students March On D.C. “The Miami Student, December 4, 2006. Web. 23 March 2015 http://miamistudent.net/?p=115147 Staff Writer. “A Miami Faculty Member Paints A Different Picture Of International Students.” The Miami Student, November 7, 2014. Web. 23 March 2015 http://miamistudent.net/?p=17002844 Staff Writer1. “Open letter to President Hodge: Miami Needs to Step up To Improve Reception of International Students.” The Miami Student, November 18, 2014. Web. 23 March 2015 http://miamistudent.net/?p=17003076 Staff Writer2. “Faculty Members Disagree With Anonymous Letter.” The Miami Student, November 11, 2014, Web. 23 March 2015 http://miamistudent.net/?p=17002928 Sue Derald. Overcoming Our Racism: The Journey to Liberation. John Wiley & Sons. 2003. Print. Vaggalis, Mike. “University Letter Prompts Reaction.” The Miami Student, November 29, 2010, Web. 23 March 2015http://miamistudent.net/?p=100832 Wong, Chris. “Miami Needs To Take Action And Condemn Racist Twitter Account As A Form Of Clear Cyberbullying.” The Miami Student, February 28, 2013, Web. 23 March 2015 http://miamistudent.net/?p=116878 Read More