University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, March 7, 1990
5
Foreign students are not minorities
Last week, a group of students calling, themselves Students Concerned About Discrimination (SCAD) sent a letter to Judith Ramaley, executive vice chancellor, asking her to take immediate action on five points, for which they suggested a policy statement. The first of the points advocated by SCAD was that the term minority "should include, but not be limited to, religious minorities, gays and lesbians, international students and the physically challenged." Although SCAD members deserve praise for their dedication to a change, this particular suggestion reflects a misconception of what international students are and what their role on this campus is.
Just like U.S. students, international students differ in race, religion, sexual orientation and, of course, national origin. There are 91 different countries represented on this campus, and to put all the students from these countries under the same label is simply unrealistic. I would rather be "Miguel, a student from Bolivia" than just "a foreigner."
Another reason why it is inappropriate to include international students in the term minority is because they do not constitute an integral part of U.S. society. International students are merely visiting this country because they have the motivation to come to a U.S. university. The presence of an international student at KU says that he or she can afford a costly education or has enough talent to come with a scholarship, or both. In other words, international students come to KU to pursue an education and to discover the United States. They consider being a student in government or education, go back to their countries where they are likely to have a leading position in industry, government or education. In fact, many stoch leaders are among KU international alumni. What is more, these leaders' attitudes toward the United States were shaped when they were students at KU. On the other hand, when international students stay in the United States after graduation, it usually is because they have been offered a good job. Then, and before, is the time to think about if they want to consider themselves a minority in this society.
Furthermore, an important difference between international students and other groups that face discrimination is that we are here by choice. If the difficulties in this environment outweigh the benefits we gain from being in it, we can move somewhere else. There are many educational opportunities for international students in this country and outside of it. Many European universities, for instance, are more affordable than U.S. ones. Nevertheless, international students on this campus are here because they have good reasons to be here.
Miguel Roca
Guest columnist
I was told by several SCAD members that they want to stop discrimination of any sort at KU, something I consider quite a commendable undertaking. But in their letter to Ramaley they asked for compassion toward minority students, a feeling or attitude that intrinsically accepts the dangerous notion that one party is above the other. I agree that there should not be any kind of discrimination against international students or anybody else. Accept them? Yes, Respect them? All the more so. But feel compassion for them? Absolutely not, unless they are in a particularly distressful state. Of course, there have been cases of discrimination against international students in the past. Although Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent," in those cases where discrimination goes beyond an attitude or a comment and becomes injustice, the Office of Foreign Student Services has always been open with its staff ready and willing to listen to the problem. If the complaint is found to have a case, it is taken to the Office of Affirmative Action where the problem can be resolved.
Although international students are relatively few in number, they have a great diversity as far as race, religion and culture are concerned. They are not part of this society and the problems they face are different than those faced by groups that call themselves minorities. Besides, international students don't need compassion, thank you very much.
> Miguel Roca is president of the KU International Club.
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