"You don't fight racism with racism, the best way to fight racism is with solidarity." - Bobby Seale
We must end racism holistically. By this is I mean that we must end racism in solidarity together and with all systems of our society. At SCU, there seems to be strong initiatives to promote diversity and multiculturalism on campus. This affects the world in that students that benefit from diversity education go out into the world as more intelligent and rounded individuals. However, although we have offices and students organizations like the MCC, without administrative support, all students will not benefit from diversity education.
All Santa Clara students deserves to reap the benefits of diversity education and awareness. If the administration does not mandate experience in Ethnic Studies or be consistently active in promoting campus diversity then racism will not end. Right now, SCU has a quasi-Ethnic Studies requirement. This is because this requirement can be fulfilled OR a Gender Studies requirement can be filled in order to graduate. It is the universities responsibility to guide students in the best direction for career and personal success. Making Ethnic Studies an option as opposed to a requirement marginalizes the importance of diversity education and the immense problem of racism.
Racism exists because of ignorance. It has become a worldwide epidemic and it must stop. Living in the Bay Area and telling ourselves racism doesn't exist here is not ignorant, it's stupid. We have to help ourselves and future generations by acting to ending racism and working together. We have to make the fight against racism a priority, not an option.