After reading Ayrel Clark’s column in Friday’s Daily (“Oscars not colorblind after all”), I realized that she does not have a clear picture of what occurred at the Oscars and what happens in the African-American community in general. Her comment that actors who “made a big deal out of the fact that they won and they are black” really affected me as an African-American of Nigerian descent. Why shouldn’t someone who has just won his or her first Oscar and is the first black woman ever to do so not be excited? Halle Berry had every right to say what she said and be proud of a momentous accomplishment.

In the past decade, more and more firsts for blacks have been occurring, such as the first black female in a two-man bobsled to win a gold medal at the Olympics. So many minorities work extremely hard to achieve their goals and the fact that we have much less exposure in the media makes every publicized success so much more important.

Clark also mentioned that when asked, the black actors were rooting for each other. Well, why wouldn’t they? They obviously have seen each other’s performances and think they were Oscar-worthy. Another thing Clark doesn’t realize is that when you live in an environment where you are a minority and a lot of the power is in the control of the majority, you tend to look out for each other.

Another point Clark made was to liken the Oscars to “discriminatory ideas like affirmative action and minority scholarships.” Although to some people minority scholarships and affirmative action are discriminatory, for others it was these things that gave them a start on their roads to success. In my opinion, minority scholarships and affirmative action have both positive and negative aspects. For many in the minority communities in America, where so many are underprivileged, a little or a lot of help paying for college or getting a job can mean a new beginning and a possible new productive member of society.

I am not saying that Caucasian people do not have trouble finding money for school or are all well off monetarily. Both minorities and Caucasians have these same problems. It just seems that it is more of a struggle to find applicable solutions if you are in an underrepresented group.

I know Ms. Clark meant well with her article, but skin color has been and most likely will be a factor in the lives of minorities for a long time. Until it becomes commonplace for minorities to win awards, be recognized for their accomplishments and appear in large numbers in magazines, television shows and upper-level management, things most likely won’t change.

Stephanie Adewunmi

Sophomore

Biology