To the Editor:
After reading various heated responses to Nathan Bruschi's commentary ("Affirmative Action Too Skin Deep?," Feb. 13), I feel compelled to add a moderate and impartial position to the fray. While Bruschi's comments were insensitive and I imagine somewhat satirical, there is some merit to his argument.
Obviously, humans make judgments based on perception. Often times these judgments may be rash, biased, or even discriminatory, but that is the nature of the human mind -- it categorizes based on previous experience. We can try to educate and reform, but it is irrational and dangerous to think that we can eradicate prejudice in society that values free speech.
If Mark Pruner ("Why skin tones do not matter in affirmative action," Feb. 19) knew there was discrimination against Native Americans in his chosen field, he should not have included Native Americans at Dartmouth on his resume.
This omission would not mean he is ashamed of his heritage; it would merely indicate a pragmatic worldview. There is little difference between this omission and a student omitting his fraternity or Dartmouth Review membership from his resume. Pruner tried to profit from a system of affirmative action geared to help victims of discrimination, opened himself up to unneeded scrutiny, and failed according to his own commentary. Apparently there is some justice in the world.
