De facto segregation at SDSU a result of cultural, racial division

[starang21]

Originally posted by DeltaSigStan
Despite what I said about our greek system, those who actually hang out on campus during the day (instead of going to the beach like a normal person) comprised the "inspiration" for this article, which I wanted to see if your school had the same kind of effect. I think this girl is really ignorant; if she ever took a look on a regular basis, these so called spots aren't ALWAYS dominated by one ethnic group (Or maybe it's cause I hang out at ALL these spots at various times) :

By Kinsee Morlan, Staff Writer

Even with the recent budget cuts that have caused a drop in numerical enrollment, San Diego State University President Stephen Weber promises to maintain the university's diversity enrollment in order to achieve its shared vision of creating a community that can be proud of its diversity. As far as sheer numbers go, the school has actualized this vision and Weber, along with the multicolored, multicultural student body, should scramble to the top of a mountain and proudly announce to the world that we have achieved what the civil rights movement set out to accomplish.

But wait - perhaps from the top of the mountain, Weber and the students will have a better view of what really goes on here at SDSU. From an aerial view, I'm afraid San Diego State would look more like a southern segregation state from back in the day than an integrated, highly diverse college campus. Just take a look for yourself if you haven't already noticed. Take a walk around campus to see just how "integrated" our campus really is.

Let's start our little stroll from the West Commons area where there is almost always a small pocket of black students who hang out in front of the Aztec Market. Rarely - if ever - will you see white or Asian kids in the mix, as it is simply known to be one of the black hangouts. Yet another well-known black hangout is in front of East Commons where, at almost any time throughout the day, you can find these students enjoying each other's company.

When you walk inside East Commons the theme of segregation continues. You'll see Latinos sitting at one table eating lunch and a group of Asians sitting at a table right next to them. If you walk down Centennial Walkway, you're likely to be watched by the row of generally white fraternity boys who consistently line the way.

How about a break for a quick game of pingpong? If you make your way to the lower level of the Aztec Center, there is a good chance you'll run into a large segment of SDSU's Pacific-Islander population. I could go on and on, but I'm sure you've all noticed this yourself, so I needn't waste your time.

The only reason I even bother to point it out is because this sort of de facto segregation is not supposed to exist on a college campus, but it seems to me it is the college campus itself that seems to perpetuate the problem. Groups like MEChA or the Japanese Student Society or any other culturally based student organization are a great way of maintaining one's sense of cultural identity and provide a wonderful social outlet for minority groups. However, they also draw boundaries and limit an individual's overall social network.

Personally, I would like to eliminate these culturally based student organizations, but I know that would eliminate minority voice and expression on campus, so all I can do is be aware of my self-imposed segregation and try to do something about it. I'll vow to hold on to my own culture and personal baggage, but promise to be brave enough to carry it with me to "foreign" destinations. I'll stop being so narcissistic in wanting to hang out with others who are just like me, and instead branch out to try to include a wider array of friends. If you do the same, who knows? Perhaps our aerial view will look less like Birmingham in the '60s and more like something Weber and all of us students can truly be proud of.

- Kinsee Morlan is a journalism junior.

- This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Send e-mail to letters@thedailyaztec.com. Anonymous letters will not be printed - include your full name, major and year in school.

sounds eerily like the movie "Higher Learning"