Tuesday, November 14, 2000

A moment on racism. As many of you know, I work at the Bursley Library. I mainly got the job because my friends is the head librarian. She, therefore, makes the purchases in regards to CDs, VHS tapes, and books. Let's call her Lil.

A little background on the Bursley library collection. The collection tries to be very diverse, although it has its shortcomings. The VHS tapes reflect the diversity of campus. The CDs somewhat do too. For instance, we have two drawers dedicated to pop. Pop includes techno, boy bands, metal, rock, alternative, adult contemp, and alot of other types. These are huge drawers. However, we only had btw. 4-6 techno CDs. We had a row for country, a drawer for soundtracks of all genres (inc. R&B) int'l, world, and others. We also have a smaller drawer solely for R&B, 1.5 for classical, .5 for folk, and 1 for Jazz. We expanded R&B to 1.5 drawers. (only a couple more CDs, really.)

So, this year, Lil decided to expand the pop genre, while trying to satisfy the R&B people as well. She has bought a number of techno CDs to reflect the growing number of listeners, a few pop, and a few R&B. However, according to a patron, she has not bought "enough" R&B to reflect the number of listeners. The complaint also hinted at racism. Keep in mind, we have a suggestion box as well. First, I have to ask is why should we placate to one genre of music, especially when we have a plethora of CDs for that genre. And, what about the neglected genres? Shouldn't we reflect those too? World, New Age, and Jazz has been purchased this year as well as techno and regular pop. Or, is this just another case of projected racism from the black culture. (an offensive statement to some)

I am slightly racist, but that has developed in my college years, where racism is supposed to be crushed. Why? Because of the black sentiment that Blacks are worse off, and less represented, than whites at all times. "We" are the most poor, and poor whites don't matter. I am not poor white, but I still understand the full ramifications of affirmative action. Not to mention, with such loud voices such as DAAP and BAMN (why don't they just join together?) all opposition is loudly crushed with the race card. I wonder how many inner-city whites got benefits...none? Don't they have the same education too. I would much prefer economic affirmative action that not.

More on race cards and segregation next time.

Today's thought: If we are such a diverse campus, why is it the whites job to walk up and say hello to the blacks who sit together loudly in the lunchroom?

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