‘Because He’s Mexican’
Conservative writer Bobby Eberle discusses race preferences from a personal angle in the Hawaii Reporter. Eberle says he prefers to embrace his nationality over his ethnicity. Half white and half Hispanic, he’s experienced firsthand the stigma of skin color-focused policies, practices, and perceptions. He writes:
“There was that box that always popped up: White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander. Pacific Islander??? Anyway, being half Hispanic means that I’m also half White, so whenever it came to choosing a race, I chose White.
…
“I chose White, not because I’m anti-Hispanic — which I’m not. If that were the case, I’d hate half my family — which I don’t. In fact, I greatly admire the work ethic and sense of family that are demonstrated by many Hispanic families and individuals. No, I chose White, because I knew in doing so, I’d be judged on merit. No one gives bonus points to a White person.”
Eberle recounts a story in which he and other high achieving students were gathered in an assembly. While they received $500 scholarships in recognition of their hard work and top grades, a “middle of the pack” Hispanic student received a $10,000 scholarship…for being Hispanic.
In another anecdote, his grandmother’s employer assumed Eberle was admitted to college “because he’s Mexican.”
I share Eberle’s frustration over these and other incidents, but they are to be expected when colleges and universities across the country admit racial minorities under lowered standards. Erroneous assumptions and negative stereotypes are part of the package. These are two of many reasons why the practice should be eradicated.
“Why someone would want to get rewarded for being of a particular race, I’ll never know.”
Neither do I. It will take more people like myself and Bobby Eberle to speak out against race preferences and to do our part to convince others such policies must be dismantled.
