Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

Matthew Dulin      Geronimo Rodriguez         Shaun Salnave          Cara Sarelli

Dynhh!!

An ad posted in Tuesday's edition of The Daily Texan, the student newspaper of the University of Texas at Austin, proclaimed: "If you are white, you may be a victim of illegal discrimination."

Oh my.

The ad goes on to mention a little-known Texas Department of Transportation grant extended to minorities and women in accordance with a 1991 state mandate.

The grant, officially called a "conditional grant," issued by the transportation department, was geared toward minority high school graduates who are interested in civil engineering. In exchange for a hefty scholarship, all the recipient has to do is graduate with an engineering degree and work for the department for two years.

The idea in mind, of course, was to diversify the department's largely white work force -- a perfectly good intention.

While the sensational Daily Texan ad, which was paid for and endorsed by the American Civil Rights Institute, might seem ludicrous to some, it raises an important point and reopens discussion of something that shouldn't be kicked to the side.

Discrimination in any form is detestable and should be avoided by public and private institutions. One wonders if a white, high school-age boy is looking at civil engineering and thinking, "Man, I wish I could get a scholarship to help me get into a good career." It's sad to think that he won't get the same opportunity a black or Hispanic kid will get, just because he's white and male.

Now, very few white men have been disadvantaged as a result of this and other guidelines set in motion by affirmative action. But that doesn't mean it doesn't or won't continue to happen. It should never be an issue.

This isn't a race discussion. It's a discussion on whether or not scholarships and other opportunities should be totally merit- and need-based.

The "Race" section of every college, scholarship or job application form needs to be removed. If that were the case, the ad would be irrelevant. The Department of Transportation should be able to say "We have the most qualified staff," not "We have the most diverse staff."

Actually, they should be able to say both. And it doesn't take a targeted scholarship program to accomplish that.