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Show MINORITY GROUPS Before you enter my room. . . a. Knock Three Times (10 sec. 1. Areyou Black? between each knock) If you are anything other than b. Say: "Your Beautiful Black Black. . . (Negro, American, Cau- Womanship, 1 wish to speak casian, whatever) to you." 1. Your presence is not desired c. If no answer, Get Lost Punk! 2. If you feel that what you have to d. If there is an answer you must say is really important, you be kneeling or the door will must do as follows to gain instantly slam in your face. entry... -Ayema Aduke Hasani Almost any organized body with different ideals from the average student can justifiably be called a minority group, but only a few are distinguished by having their roots outside the general WASP community. There are four cohesive groups on the University campus that have few local ties: Amerindians, Spanish-Americans, Blacks and International students. These "on-campus" groups are virtually unknown to the average student. Most students are aware of the Black minority as a national phenomenon, but very few actually know a Black person. Even fewer are aware of the problems facing native Indians and Spanish-Americans. International students are most often seen at a distance. A campus minority is a relatively small, cohesive group of persons set apart from the rest of the stu-dentbody by special characteristics. Racial, cultural and linguistic barriers are the most obvious walls surrounding the minority groups. Racial distinctions are especially vivid to American Blacks and students of foreign origin. Some reactions to the local populace are positive: others not so. One Black student commented: "Lots of people here treat us like we have one foot in Hell." "I have not experienced so much open discrimination." said a student from India. "But sometimes an apartment we are told is taken will be advertised again the next day." And a Pakistani student remarks: "People here are very friendly-right now I have ten invitations to dinner." Aside from the obvious physical differences, there are other powerful isolating forces in action. Minorities set themselves apart in drive and ambition. They are steering away from the conventional WASP standards and are seeking to find and promote their own cultural identities. "If we can just get a few Chicanos (Spanish-Americans) into high positions, so these young kids will have someone to look up to who is like them..." "My scholarship from the tribe doesn't say I have to go back, but I want to help my people when I'm finished with college." "Look. Most foreign students are here for graduate work. We really don't have time to participate in everything." "The Indian needs more of a sense of responsibility to his people. A Group situation serves the needs of all Indian people by making an Indian aware of his people." Groups, held together by common culture, language, race or fear. Groups, acting in concert to achieve ends common to all members. Groups, a strength or weakness? 58 |
