Minority Report

ANN ARBOR, place of diversity

For token chicas Elizabeth Kassab and Jacquelyn Nixon, four years at the University may never have been possible had it not been for affirmative action. Nevermind GPAs, AP and SAT scores, difficulty of course selection in high school, numerous after-school activities and varsity letters.

“Thank goodness I’m not a regular black person or I might never have gotten anywhere in life,” Nixon said.

Kassab, who is Japanese, Lebanese and Polish, agreed. She said it would have been nearly impossible for her to become a member of The Michigan Daily had it not been for their newly-installed quota system and mission statement.

Kassab said, “Now there are a few of us they can point to and refer to as minorities when someone accuses the Daily of being racist. I really wanted to be a journalist, so I’m glad the doors were finally opened for a token like me.”

Nixon said becoming an editor at the Daily was the decision of former editors who wanted to see more minority students in higher positions.

She said it was these people that made sure the work environment was comfortable and inclusive, because she never knew what that felt like before.

“I know they probably looked at me, saw my skin was not really so black, more of a light brown/honey shade, and thought ‘let’s help out that poor black girl cause she’s not that threatening.'”

— The Daily does not discriminate. And if you think we are anyone’s tokens, you’re a whore.

Latino students push for recognition

All across the U.S.

Often grouped into the general category of Hispanic, Latino students nationwide have banned together in their fight for recognition.

“For some reasons, the media and the public insist on calling all of us Hispanic. Well, we’re not. Just because we are Latino does not mean we are Hispanic – it means we are Latino. Call us Dominican, Jamaican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, whatever, but Hispanic is just too broad. We are individuals,” said Jose Rodriguez, a student at the University for Ethnic Integrity By All Means Necessary.

Rodriguez, a member of Students Fighting to be Special, said he and his classmates are faced by a fight like that of no other culture.

“Our ancestors span so many countries, and nobody else can say that.”

Indian students tired of dancing, shows

Anywhere, USA

Despite the publicity and increase in campus awareness, members of Indian student groups across the country announced yesterday that they are tired of cultural and dance shows.

“Look at the calender of events. They are all dances, and between the rehearsals, the costumes and the make-up required each weekend, we just can’t handle it anymore,” said one University of Michigan student who wished to remain nameless. But local performance venues are concerned that the cancellation will cause massive scheduling problems. “We make millions of dollars a year from the Indian student groups. Their performances draw so many spectators, artists and photographers – that sort of publicity is irreplaceable,” said John Small, manager at The Main Theatre in Troy.” To help make up for the profit loss, Small said the theatre may have to recruit other types of groups, including local punk and folk bands that represent more mainstream culture.