Minority Groups

To the Editors of the Crimson:

Commonalities bring people together. It is a natural human tendency to associate with those with whom we share a common ground. Classical music brings musicians together to form orchestras. Political ideologies bring people to form Republican and Democratic organizations. And historical and cultural similarities and common political, educational and social needs bring minority students together to form minority groups.

Are minority groups self-segregating? Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. Albert Hsia, in his March 9 editorial, criticized the Asian American Association (AAA) and other minority organizations for what he believed was their tendency toward self-segregation. But in backing up his opinion with outright falsehoods and blanket statements, he overstepped his bounds and demonstrated an ignorance of what minority groups strive to do and actually do.

AAA was formed 13 years ago to address the cultural, educational, political and social needs of Asian Americans on campus: culturally, to celebrate the richness of our heritage; educationally, to discover our identities; politically, to obtain the rights to which we are entitled as human beings and as minorities are being denied; socially, to develop ties with those with whom we share commonalities. Our focus is the Asian American community, and we have and always will encourage all Harvard-Radcliffe students to explore its many facets.

Are we "losing our focus," as Hsia suggests? The answer is no. Every year, we hold a food festival, a cultural festival, a film festival and host speakers and workshops to celebrate and educate the Harvard community about the Asian American experience. More than half the positions in our steering committee deal specifically with political and social concerns of Asian Americans, "social" being defined as having to do with human beings existing and interacting together. This year alone, we organized an intercollegiate conference on Asian American social concerns and played large roles in bringing about Actively Working Against Racism and Ethnocentrism week, Cultural Rhythms and Visions '89, an unprecendented event which brought together minority students from all over the East Coast.

We wish to refute specific misunderstandings and false statements that appeared in the editorial. First, we never sponsored the Wellesley College Blind Date Banquet. Second, the production of A Chorus Line, which was attacked as an "unnecessary networking of a particular minority," provided much needed opportunities for Asian Americans who seldom get the chance to act. Asians are usually typecast and, thus, never get parts in traditional plays. The production finally allowed them to express their dramatic and musical talents.

Third, the quotes from the position paper submitted by a pair of candidates for co-president in our organization misrepresented their ideas. Their comprehensive five-page plan, including strategies for strengthening AAA's political voice and ties with other non-Asian minority groups, and adding a program to the Model U.N. Conferences, was summarized as plans for "long nights of Pictionary."

Fourth, it is true that minority organizations on other campuses operate differently than Harvard groups, but this is only because different campuses require different actions. But these differences in actions do not imply different levels of commitment to basic political and social issues. In fact, minority groups at Harvard are known across the country as leading minority organizations in combatting racism and insensitivity, and we are often asked by groups at other schools to help with their organizations.

Fifth, the editorial's criticism of long tables lined with "Blacks, Asians or Chicanos" misses on three points. Firstly, it calls into question the legitimacy of discussion tables about politics, gay and lesbian issues, women's issues and theatrical events, each of which is made up of people with shared experiences and interests. Secondly, it sees the one table filled with people of color, but misses the surrounding 20 long tables lined with whites only. Finally, it sees each of the individuals at these tables as a color instead of as a human being.

To notice only the colors and not the individuals is a racist act. To think that "you are Asian and so am I so I shouldn't eat with you because that is self segregating" is itself racist. Tragically, such subconscious attitudes are commonplace at Harvard.

A final point. Every activity involving the interaction between two or more people is inherently social in nature. Every festival, every rally, every game and every dinner is a social event.

There is no doubt that AAA and other minority organization do serve a social function on campus. But we feel that the "true spirit which drives our minority organizations" has been negligently misrepresented. Even as we strive to understand ourselves, we strive to share our experiences with others. But it is not enough for us to reach out with one hand. We hope that all our fellow students will reach their hands out to us as well. David Chiu   Arlene Mayeda   Co-Presidents   Asian American Association