As a black male student on campus, I can understand how Asians and Asian Americans feels about racism sometimes. It’s aggravating and frustrating and demeans you as a person. I’ve been upset many times from the negative connotations that come with being a black male, like I’m sure the Asian community deals with as well. I think if the Asian community is offended by the “Just Sayin'” submission that used the word “squintey” as an offensive slur towards Asians they have every right to be upset.

But under no circumstances should this be considered another example of racism on campus. I’m not saying you shouldn’t be upset because it’s not my place to decide what you can be angry at. Would I, as a black male, be offended if I saw something in a paper that said “I saw a coon in the building, they’re taking over!!!??” Of course I’d be upset. I understand that hurt. I understand that pain you feel of not belonging and feeling like an outsider. Trust me, I know. I’ve been told by white people go back to the hood or go back to Africa. And it hurts. It really physically hurts you.

As a human being, having people judge who you are based on your race is almost too much to bear. But I think as a minority group we are all too quick to jump to conclusions and label everything as racist. Mistakes happen. Accidents happen. Did you write a letter to the editor explaining your dislike for the writings? No. Did you go and talk to the editor at the Daily? No. Instead of going to the source and actually witnessing and being able to attest the staff at the Daily are filled with insensitive racists, you again assumed that this was allowed to be printed because you thought people don’t care about you feelings. You talked about steps being needed to be taken in order to prevent racism. Well wouldn’t a good start have been actually going to the Daily and trying to talk with them personally about why this offends you?

People can be very cruel sometimes, yes, but I also know there are good people in this world as well. Good people who are kind and care for everyone black, white, Asian, Mexican and whatever other race I’m forgetting. Those people exist, and there are plenty on them on the campus which you have chosen to bash along with the writings from the Daily. You are right, though: Something should be done to help combat racism on this campus but not just towards Asians, everyone needs to take a step back and walk in another person’s shoes. I personally have met plenty of Asians who have been just as racist as some of the whites I’ve encountered on this campus.

Maybe you could have used that same conference that you had with the vice president of student affairs to express how you felt, instead hold a conference with other minorities so we can all express how we feel about the topic, maybe you could create discussion groups trying to bring together minorities and whites, or have a summit dedicated to racial tolerance and many other things can be done. Yes, steps need to be taken but this is not the right one.

This wasn’t racism, this was a misunderstanding. Again, you are right, racial attacks should not be tolerated. But in this case, show me a racial attack. Show me an intentional attack on a person’s race that the Daily has published, and I’ll show you the countless articles they’ve published praising minorities for their accomplishments and the achievements they have made in their own community and other communities as well.

Before you judge think about who you affect with your actions. Think about Jake Lovett, editor in chief of the Daily, who wrote that apology expressing his deepest empathy for you. Think about Katherine Klingseis, who attended the meeting as well and wrote how she was saddened by the events that took place and the effect it had on all of you. And think about the staff writers and reporters like myself who felt so distraught by this that I felt the need to write to the editor in chief about it.

You say others need to be more sensitive, but take a look in the mirror at yourselves and see who you are hurting.