I must respond to Sara Ziegler’s opinion article from Friday, Nov. 14, entitled “Fair to all people.”

First, I think we need to define exactly what a minority is. Is this your code word for African-American, or does this mean a group that is simply not the majority?

If it is your code word for African-American, this is a very racist article in and of itself. If you are referring to minorities in the true sense of the word, you must be blind.

This university is teaming with people from all over the world. I have met students and faculty here from every continent except Antarctica. Talk about diverse!

Most of these people are here simply because they are very intelligent and goal-oriented. In addition to the standard requirements for admission, they also have to prove their proficiency in English and often pay a higher tuition than Iowa residents.

Saying that minorities cannot meet the admission requirements in light of these facts is simply not true. Most of these “minorities” have overcome more obstacles than “white Midwesterners” have to be here.

If “minority” is a code word for African-American, however, then Ms. Ziegler should be ashamed of her blatantly racist views. She writes, “Now, there is a very real possibility minority students won’t be able to go to public universities because of the 209 precedent.”

Why could this possibly be? Are you implying that African-Americans are intellectually inferior and cannot meet the admission standards to these universities?

The last time I checked at Iowa State, any person meeting the admission requirements is allowed to attend.

People should be judged based on the content of their character; not their color, sex or creed. Period.

---

Ross Schaefer

Senior

Construction engineering