Editor,

In the past several weeks, I have read many letters to the editor that express distress and anger over the institutional and social racisms at Pomona. I have noticed that the majority of these letters are written by individuals in "the constructed margins" of this institution and of American society as a whole. In other words, the people who are the victims of racism at Pomona. It is time that the white, middle class, heterosexual community becomes more vocal and active in fighting racism (as well as sexism, heterosexism and classism) on campus. I am tired of hearing white students complain that "minorities at this school are just too sensitive." Well, I am a rich white girl, and I’m pissed off. And in this land where ignorance is bliss, I think it’s time that the happiest (white) students in America start getting pissed off too.

Currently, this institution and this community operate on the premise that racism is the victim’s problem. People who are victimized by discrimination must self-organize to create support networks and combat efforts to minimize their validity/viability as human beings (various mentor programs are examples which students and faculty have struggled to establish). People involved in such efforts should be commended, not criticized. Trouble is, these efforts come up in the face of a persistent white denial that racism is even a problem at Pomona. If we ever want to see things change, it’s time that we (the privileged majority) wake up, look around, and start caring about the well-being of other groups in our community. Racism is everyone’s problem; created by privileged groups and projected upon other groups who are made to suffer because of it. So maybe you never made a slur against a black person, or a woman, or a queer person. If you’re sitting back and allowing ignorance and bigotry to flourish in your community, you’re contributing to the problem.

So educate yourself, second guess your assumptions about racism at Pomona, care about the individuals who you live with, start giving a shit about something that actually matters.

And support the DDP requirement, it’s about time.

Sincerely,

Camilla Clark, ’04