September 27, 2007
Schmautz disregards affirmative action
In response to the Sept. 19 editorial entitled “Awarding Scholarship by Race and Gender Unfair” by Emma Schmautz, Kaimin News Editor:
It saddens us that a person in her position would write such an uneducated and thoughtless editorial. We are also appalled that Ms. Schmautz would twist the words of the great civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in her crusade against affirmative action.
Schmautz states that the University “runs the risk of rewarding a less proficient student over a more capable one” when considering minority status as part of the criteria in the awarding of scholarships. This suggests that minority students who receive scholarships from the University may be less capable then non-minorities.
Was there any research, (the basic criteria in journalism), in her accusations? Why didn’t she state actual cases or tell us specifically who, if anyone, received scholarships based on something other than merit, and at the same time, tell us how many non-minority scholarships were given out in the same manner. Also, how many scholarships were given to non-minority students when compared to those given to minority students?
Schmautz appears to lack basic knowledge of Montana Native Tribes, treaty rights, and the effects of colonization which have led to state and national legislation being passed including Indian Education for All, No Child Left Behind, and Affirmative Action.
Let us educate Ms. Schmautz on what affirmative action is about. It is “government policies or programs that seek to redress past injustices against specified groups by making special efforts to provide members of these groups with access to educational and employment opportunities” (We The People, An Introduction to American Politics). Is she determining that no such injustices occurred or are still occurring and that minorities, including women, no longer deserve or need such policies or that treaty obligations to tribes have now been met?
Regardless of her misconceptions, the fact remains that race still plays a huge role in determining who gets what in the U.S. In response to her statement that “race does not determine our actions or set our destinies in stone,” we invite her to visit our reservations to witness the effects of colonization evidenced by extreme poverty, education being our antidote. Witnessing this may help her understand that unfortunately the playing field is still not completely leveled for us or other minorities. Until it is, we hope affirmative action will be there to protect the underdogs.
Like Dr. King, our grandfathers also dreamed of a time when their descendants could “one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”. We, as minorities, know that there have been vast strides toward equality, but we still have a long way to go.
We guarantee that any scholarship committee has been impressed at one time or another with the scholarly and humanitarian efforts accomplished by minority students. The growing diversity at the University of Montana should be a point of great pride for the State of Montana.
An editorial recently submitted by Schmautz suggested that graduating from the Davidson Honors College is a waste of time and does not mean anything in life. The dedication and achievement of DHC students, as well the pride of accomplishment for graduating with this honor, was totally dismissed. Belittling editorials such as these shows the lack of respect and consideration Schmautz has for her fellow students. A recent quote by a UM professor was, “Some people are born on third base, but go through life thinking they hit a triple.” Minorities continue on the road to graduation regardless of the fact that many of us are still at home plate trying to hit a home run with one arm tied behind our back.
While education may bring some students individual success, we Native students are here carrying our people on our backs with dreams of a better life.
We are proud to be Blackfeet and part of the Montana Native American student population at UM. We are not only students but reservation visionaries as well, who dream of a time when reservation reality becomes life ability.
Lona Burns, junior, journalism
Wendy Running Crane, senior, sociology
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