Think before you write

In an opinion piece published Tuesday, Oct. 4, Josh Brewer discussed his thoughts on what he called “two overwhelmingly segregated traditions... at Duke,” the first being minority recruitment weekends. In one short paragraph, he dismissed events on Duke’s campus that are of much significance to minority students. Brewer claims that “there was a time when it was necessary to show students of color that Duke was a safe place” and “that time has passed.” According to the picture provided by your article, Mr. Brewer, it is safe to assume that you are NOT a minority student at Duke. That being said, I am not exactly sure what gives you the right to make such a statement or comment on minority student life. It should be noted that the goals of minority recruitment weekends are not to reveal a sense of safety but rather a sense of belonging. Although I am a minority student who did not attend a minority recruitment weekend, I have come to understand their significance. Upon acceptance to Duke, or any university for that matter, potential freshmen have to take time to evaluate a school in order to determine whether it is their best fit. Although the number of student activities and academic programs are of interest, it is essential that minority groups feel that they can be included and find a place of communion with other minorities; students who will have similar experiences to theirs while at Duke. I also wonder whether Mr. Brewer did his homework to see just how successful minority recruitment weekends are in bringing students to Duke. Next time you want to carelessly disregard a tradition that you have NOT participated in, I advise that you choose, or rather type, your words wisely.

N. Lily Negash
Trinity ’14