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Editor:
In response to the letter written by Jeff McCuen ("'Minorities' should just stop whining," Sept. 11), I offer my rebuttal. As a minority student on campus, I would like to support the decries of the minority "whining." For without the voice of the minorit ies, many services would be denied to us for the simple fact that we are minorities on campus. Since the inception of this country, minorities have had to fight for all of the rights that we now enjoy. This fight consists of a voice of the people at the v ery least. In some cases, it has involved the loss of life.
Consider, for example the right to vote. African Americans were not allowed to vote in the south until 1964. Consider something else: there were laws disallowing minorities to own land, to patronize certain establishments, and even to make use of certain public facilities such as restrooms. The term "public," not long ago, excluded minority participation.
Whether Mr. McCuen's family had its origins here in America or elsewhere, the fact remains that he and his family are allotted more opportunity than any minority who has been rooted in this country on the basis of race. The point he makes regarding the Co nstitution, and the fact "that everyone should be granted the same rights and given the same opportunities" is indeed something that I believe all Americans are working towards. It is a common goal for all who make up this country. Unfortunately, minoriti es must use greater effort and creativity in order to reach this common goal.
In closing, I would like to advise Mr. McCuen to review his perception that minorities have more rights and opportunities than he does. Maybe by observing what minorities have, he is choosing to ignore what we do not have. Many of the opportunities he enj oys and possibly takes for granted, have been and continue to be denied to minorities. I would like to offer an image to Mr. McCuen. Has he ever been denied service in a restaurant for what apparently seems to be no reason and has he observed that everyon e around him has been served and he is being ignored. Then he realizes that he is the only person in the establishment that has received this treatment.
As a minority, I may say that I have experienced this and it is still a regular occurrence in today's American society. Another question I would ask Mr. McCuen is whether he has ever been a minority in an establishment? If so, how was he treated and could he accept this treatment or deem it acceptable behavior in light of the common goal of all Americans?
Clifford Papin
Sociology senior
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