AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE MINORITIES, BUT MINORITIES AREN’T AFRICAN AMERICANS!

This is a response to the article “Minority students adapt to Iowa State,” written by Tara Deering and published on the front page of the Daily on Tuesday, Jan. 20. The article is a classic example of blatant ignorance and disregard when it comes to the use of the term “minority.” The word “minority,” according to the Oxford Dictionary, is defined as “group of persons differing from others in race, religion, language, etc.” This means that “minority” is comprised of not only of African Americans but also Native Americans, Asian Americans, Latin Americans, Italian Americans, international students and many other groups.

After reading through your article sprinkled all over with the words “minority students,” and your choice of interviewing only one group of minority students (African Americans) and several university officials, I am hit by one question: Is this an article about minorities or African American students alone? If it’s about African Americans (which looks more like it to me), then the title of your article should have been more accurately entitled “African American students adapt to Iowa State.” If it’s about minorities, you have already defeated the whole purpose of the article by your narrow choice of interviews with one minority group alone, and the immense lack of input from other minority groups. Who are the “minority students” you are referring to?

Every minority group has their own unique needs and experience their own brand of hardships. It is insulting enough to see an article on minorities hugely “unminoritied.” But the narrow focus on African American interviewees alone, which seemingly suggests that every minority group go through the same hardship like African Americans, is way out of line. Quit monopolizing the word “minority students” for reference to African Americans alone. African Americans are minorities, but minorities aren’t African Americans. Take a good look around you. Don’t forget there are many other minority groups out there too.

Chow Lai-Chuan

Senior

Journalism and mass communication