A Particularly Cheap White Whine:
Racism, Scholarships and the Manufacturing of White Victimhood
By Tim Wise
“Fact is, there are plenty of scholarships that have nothing to do with merit per se, but about which conservatives say nothing: scholarships for people who are left-handed, or kids whose parents sell Tupperware, or the children of horse- breeders, or descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, among many thousands of such awards (3). Apparently, it's OK to ensure opportunity for members of these groups, despite the fact that none of them have faced systemic oppression before, but it's the height of immorality to do the same for students of color, who have indeed faced explicitly racial obstacles in their lives.”
This quote reinforces what is being said. In the end it is so true. Why is there such controversy with scholarships that are orientated to those of a different race that need the money? While there are no controversies for those scholarships that deal with having a certain eye color or who write with a certain a hand. So can we argue that there aren’t unfair advantages being played out here.
“As for racism, it is typically defined in two ways, both as ideology and practice. In terms of ideology, racism is the belief in the inherent superiority/inferiority of one race to another, while institutionally it refers to policies, practices or procedures that have the effect of perpetuating systemic inequalities between the races, and which deny persons of a particular race equal opportunity with those of other races.”
This quote wraps up most of the idea that is being presented. Racism is both and ideology and a practice. It is this idea/thought that is represented through the practice of the people. So, in reflection to the quote above aren’t these scholarships just providing an even ground for everyone. It is presenting a balance and equality.
“…it will mean that even highly capable students will be locked out of opportunities, due solely to the disadvantages they have inherited due to racism…”
Having everything be based on SAT scores and the like makes it so there isn’t a variety within the school. It also diminishes the chance that students will be able to succeed. There are many students who are intelligent but when it comes to tests they get nervous and end up flailing. So in the end their SAT scores do not reflect them at all.
I was surprised to see how many scholarships there actually are. While some of them are sort of ridiculous they give everyone an opportunity to get aid. I also have to think it is a bit contradicting because by offering minorities and others scholarships to give them equal rights it is also still separating races. I think that scholarships should not be based on race and that should almost be hidden. Applications should not say what race a person is this way you can judge a book or give them based on race. I agree that scholarships should not be awarded on test scores such as SATS because I like many people do not do good with testing and therefore might not get a scholarship because my scores were not high enough; even though someone who is not smart and scores high might get the award when I deserve it.
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