illustration by Raphael Vicenzi
I ought to be working one of the two pieces I've committed to writing - deadlines loom. Instead, I'm posting pictures on the internet... Because, you know, the internet needs more pictures.
I'm also listening to the radio. A city counsellor is demanding an apology for an editorial discussing the perception that some universities are "too Asian." (This was, in fact, the original title of the article, though it was ultimately renamed after numerous complaints.) This debate has been raging (inasmuch as Canadians are capable of that) since the article was published in early November. I finally went to read the thing and, as always, I am completely mystified. As far as I can tell, the most offensive thing about this piece is the editing:
"['Too Asian' is] a term being used in some U.S. academic circles to describe a phenomenon that’s become such a cause for concern to university admissions officers and high school guidance counsellors that several elite universities to the south have faced scandals in recent years over limiting Asian applicants and keeping the numbers of white students artificially high."
Seriously. That sentence is too long - and terrible.
Granted, I'm not part of a visible minority - maybe I'm missing something. What I'm seeing is a story about how people who work harder for good grades do better than people who don't. Secondarily, it seems to suggest that rather than push their own kids to work harder and do better, Caucasian parents and administrators would rather skew admittance stats so said kids don't feel dumb (or look lazy).
Really, the ones who ought to be insulted are the kids whose parents underestimate their ability to compete on a level field. Viva la meritocracy, and all that. I mean, in the early days of affirmative action, wasn't that the argument those in power held highest?
I openly admit - though it may be I am a racially-entitled brute and, believe me, I am willing to be schooled on this - I don't see how any of it is insulting to Asians. Yet the above-mentioned counsellor thinks an apology is due. As he righteously points out, "feelings have been hurt."
And in all of this, that is the part I find most insulting. Demand an apology because you have been willfully humiliated, injured, or maligned. If that's the case then, by all means, claim a good, hearty sorry - but for heaven's sakes, let's not start talking about feelings. The sheer fact of having them does not entitle you to exist in a world untouched by reason. And your willingness to inflict them on everyone around you? It's infantile.
In fact, I think I demand an apology. I demand an apology from you, dear counsellor, for pretending it is in any way acceptable for a grown-up to drag their feelings into a public arena. I demand an apology for your suggesting that anyone else is responsible for some disruption in the drift of your emotional ether. And finally, I demand an apology for giving the media one more excuse to avoid tricky issues for fear they will make your poor, sensitive heart sniffle. If you don't like what they have to say, fight them with logic. Believe it or not, it's more compelling. At least it ought to be.
Hey - it's New Year's eve.
g.
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