Letter to the Editor: Newman misses the mark on race

Bridget Newman's Sept. 3 column highlights some interesting observations about Duke culture, but goes too far in criticizing people who in fact share her objectives, merely prefering different solutions. By her metric, the majority of my black friends who oppose affirmative action are racists-- if not even uglier terms she probably heard at school--as are fans of Chris Rock, presumably regardless of color.

I find nothing shameful in a 3-year-old's categorizing people by appearance, but even if you were to accept her self-deprecation, certainly pointing fingers is a singularly unproductive first step in addressing a complex issue.

Silly metrics aside, Newman does raise some legitimate complaints against the predominately white environment here, but ultimately the effect of every race's habits must be considered when defining the problems at hand. I will not claim that segregating oneself among familiar peers is a bad thing, but I'd question a black student whose idea of experiencing Duke's diversity was hanging out at the Mary Lou Williams center.

I refuse to frame this debate in black/white terms, however: I'd make the same argument against a Jewish student who always dines in Freeman Center, or to name something I'm guilty of, a music student who never leaves Biddle.

Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities here and elsewhere to sample different cultures; I have equally little sympathy for her proverbially uncomfortable white student.

Perhaps it will "always amaze" Newman how this Dukie spent his summer internship subordinate to entirely Indian bosses, surrounded by mostly Indian coworkers and thoroughly relished the experience. Not just for the cuisine, either.

I think experiences like these prove her closing dichtomy false: anyone with the intellect to succeed at Duke can recognize the value forming friendships, both within and across ethnic lines, without resorting to statistical justifications that only obscure the value of individual relationships.

Choosing friends solely to fulfill an agenda rooted in history best forgotten would be dishonest to both parties. Even were she to generalize her argument to the institutional level, I'd disagree: Duke has a far greater responsibility to the disadvantaged people of today, regardless of race.