Race-Based Scholarships

Recently, national attention fell onto the Boston University College Republicans. They initiated the small ($250), but meaningful, "Caucasian Achievement and Recognition Scholarship," which requires a 3.2 GPA, 2 essays, an application process...and for the applicant to be at least a quarter caucasian.

I must applaud this group for attempting to raise awareness on this topic of inequality while taking blows from their fellow students, the BU administration and the national media. Many people have spoken out stating this is racism and inappropriate, and this is exactly what BUCR Chair, Joe Mroszczyk, was hoping for. Through this scholarship, which was intended to be the precursor for a dialogue on racial preferences, they have exposed the hypocrisy of race based scholarships and affirmative action. “We think it’s silly to quantify race like that, just as it’s silly to give any scholarship based on race,” said Mroszczyk, “We don’t think racial preferences are good or have a place on a college campus.”

Joe, I must agree. I believe its sad that we have reached a point in our society where the attempt to merely help out others is smashed and paraded around with the tag of "racist" simply because of how the individual was born into this world. Scholarships should be merit and need based...and the color of your skin qualifies as neither.