Im not racist at all and have many friends of different races but...?

Question

i don't understand why some of these friends get an ethnic minority grant when coming to university. Im not opposed to it if there is any reason other than the colour of their skin, however one friend in particular of an indian race is FAR wealthier than my family, has no real need for 1000 pounds is entitled to it, her family is English, for 3 generations and she does consider herself to be English, i don't mean to ask this question in an offensive way, im literally just curious as to what others think about this and if anyone could shed light on to WHY this is just and equal treatment i'm happy to listen :) thanks

i really don't see how any of what i said there IS racist, misinformed maybe, but not racist, ive asked my friends who recieve this grant and they don't have a clue why they are getting it either, thanks for the info about white minority grants tho, i wasn't aware they were given in an all black school, that does make things seem a lot fairer.

Answer 1

I can tell that you are really interested in knowing why, so no offense taken. You have to remember that most of these types of grants that are set up were not made overnight, they were made by the Government toward a group that the Government seen overwhelmingly had a great need for the grant. I don't have a problem with these type of grants but what I don't agree with is a person, who have the means and the money to pay for their education, receive these grants because it may prevent those that really need it.

Answer 2

From one white boy to another. Get over yourself white bread. I don't know who told you life was going to be fair...but they lied to you. Minorities get grants that you and I do not get, because someone (the government) is trying to level the playing field. When you get to college look around - it is mostly other white people, with a sprinkle of other cultures mixed it. In an attempt to get more minorities to college, they offer specialty grants. The fact that you really don't understand this, really shows that you should pay extra attention in your university studies.

Do I think it is fair given the totality of the circumstances? No. Do I think your friend who's family originated in India gets some cash, HELL NOO. But again, life is not fair - not now, not ever, never will be.

Talk her into being guilty about your plight and give you some money. Or, maybe she will cover your pub costs this semester. But which ever you can get negotiated, stop whining, sack up, and shut up.

Answer 3

im not sure if you're racist but it definitely seems as if you have some sort of subconscious racist attitude toward minorities. if you had any brains at all you'd know that these kinds of grants are in place to help minorities who, for the large part, need this aid. there would also be a lot of discrimination against minorities if things like affirmative action weren't in place. trust me minorities in general need money more than the general population of white people - this is not referring to you specifically! you could be poor as dirt but college policies are not created to coddle you when you think you're being treated unjustly - they are in place to adhere to the GENERAL population statistics.

Answer 4

the words "Im not a racist" are almost always followed by something ... well ... racist.

The governement has decided that it wants to increase the number of minority students in college and is paying for it.

My guess is minorities attend school at lower rates. By sending a few of them to school, they are counting on eventually the minorities being able to send thier own kids to school. I went to an all black school. Everyone I went to school with had parents who were paying for it, had scholarships, or student loans. The "minority scholarships" went to the white kids.

Answer 5

I think it's about balance at the university. They want to attract other races by offering grants to minorities.

Answer 6

race is not about the amount of melanin or pigment that shows through a person's skin, not about color, it's a social construct. it's about a historical experience which has implications today.

race is not biological - there are no "races" within the human race - but as a society we have categorized people by superficial qualities such as skin color, and people have faced and continue to face oppression on the basis of that.

so, as a person of color, one faces life in a different way than those who are of the dominant "race" (white) and are inevitably faced with obstacles, from the subtle (stereotypes or initial generalization) to the overt (hate crimes and slurs) to the internalized (people believing themselves to be inferior and at fault for how they are treated by and perceived by society).

for an example of this - check out this site - http://www.komotv.com/home/video/5001856.html - i hope it still works. it's about the recent redo-ing of the brown v. board study of the psychological effects of segregation on black children.

of course, people of color can have power and dominate others in different contexts (economically for example), but I think those special grants attempt to recognize the struggles that people of color continue to face. (though i think your wealthy friend should refuse the grant!)

Answer 7

I hate it when people ;like this always tries to point out that they have a minority "friend"

Answer 8

I agree with you, the color of your skin, or the conutry that you come from, is not a valid reason to give anybody a 1000 pounds.

Answer 9

It's just an affirmative action ploy.