To the Editor:
This is in reference to Debbie Carbornaro '97's op-ed ["The Shades of Multicultural Crayons," April 17, 1996]..
In the same breath, Carbornaro both calls for "[the day when] multiculturalism is no longer a separate category to be found in a campus committee" and bemoans the dismantling of affirmative action, citing the University of California's recent decision. If multicultural crayon sets are not "separate but equal," then how can admissions preferences based on race and ethnicity (i.e., qualities separate from academic strengths and personal character) lead to equality for all?
Indeed, separate is not equal. In order to truly "eradicate the hate," our focus must be diverted away from categorizing ourselves by race (i.e., affirmative action) and towards a community that values personal character and achievement over the level of "raw sienna" in our skin.
