<p>Just read an article in this week's Newsweek regarding racism on the UVA campus. It sounds like the administration is doing everything possible to address the issue, but...</p>
<p>Since top schools can be selective, top students can likewise be selective. And this might be a tipping point for some considering UVA.</p>
<p>I'm not bashing UVA, just making an observation.</p>
<p>Yes, it's very unfortunate what happened earlier this year. As a minority alumnus, I am happy that the University, the students, and my fellow alumni have definitely taken a stand against intolerance. (Furthermore, we don't know if the incidents were perpetrated by students or townies.) Whatever the case, we won't allow a few losers lessen the supportive educational experience at UVa. </p>
<p>Also, let me remind you that racism exists everywhere even in the more "tolerant" Northeast and West Coast. The 2 places (surprisingly) where I've experienced the most blatant and vicious forms of racism have been in Los Angeles and London. Even here in New York City, I've been called a "chink" on the street.</p>
<p>No need to remind me, I know. </p>
<p>But incidents like this, along with the fact that UVA was one of the last universities with a national reputation to integrate, gives me pause.</p>
<p>I'm a current student at the University. These incidents are indeed unfortunate. If anyone is concerned about attending, however, let me add that these haters and racists are really in the minority. These incidents always get a sharp reaction not only by the administration but by the student body. I've been really pleased with the way everyone has united in opposition to these sorts of things.</p>
<p>I agree with QueenCaroline....I am sorry that your were called that in NY, Globalist.</p>
<p>Truth be told, UVa is an excellent school for minorities. Of course, no one is 100% happy w/ any institution, but UVa still maintains the highest graduation rate of African-American students among all public schools (87%) - 20 percentage points higher than the next public school, the University of New Hampshire (or is it Vermont? I can never remember.) UVa also graduates more black students than 5 of the Ivies as well as Duke. The average college graduation rate for African-Americans in the US is between 30-40%. </p>
<p>Furthermore, 10% of the undergrad population is African-American - among the highest in the US apart from the historically black colleges like Morehouse, Howard, etc.</p>
<p>If UVa was a racist school, the University would have a hard time recruiting, retaining, and graduating black students.</p>
<p>what article was this?</p>
<p>" Even here in New York City, I've been called a "chink" on the street."</p>
<p>aw...........................that sucks. i'm sorry.</p>
<p>Thrills4ever, </p>
<p>My info comes from a book published by the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education called "College in Black and White: African American Students in Predominantly White and in Historically Black Public Universities". You can find it in Barnes & Noble.</p>
<p>Here, I also found it mentioned in Inside UVA.</p>
<p>Untilted & VirginiaAlum, yeah, it sucked. It was pretty stupid actually. It was raining hard, and I was hailing a cab. A guy steps in front of me and tries to get the cab. I said, "Excuse me, but I was here waiting for the cab," and he says, "You f-ing chink!" After a volley of expletives, I jumped into the cab and laughed at him as he stood there getting soaked. New Yorkers can be so rude sometimes. </p>
<p>Once I was lost in a pedestrian mall in Virginia. I was walking around looking for the reception hall where my friend's wedding was taking place, and it began to rain. Then surprisingly someone not only approached me and showed me where to go, but also insisted that I take his umbrella so I wouldn't get my suit wet while he proceeded to walk away all drenched. Man, that would never happen in NYC. </p>
<p>Don't get me wrong. I love NYC, but it drives me crazy sometimes.</p>
<p>All of the top schools have struggled with race issues. I know at Penn students dressed up in Klan suits and marched on campus in the 80s. Unfortunately racism is pervasive in the world, college is about as far as people can get from racism really. I would encourage everyone to challenge bigotry not run from it (i.e. avoid uva because a rep. based on the stupidity of a very few).</p>
<p>jacl11905, I agree - if you are in the majority. That's easy. If you are in the minority, you have to factor these things in.</p>
<p>If you are going to wait for the majority to stand up for you, you will be waiting a long time.</p>
<p>I really don't understand your post.</p>
<p>My point was that it is easy for the majority to say "stand up to bigotry". </p>
<p>But, if you are a minority, looking for a good place to send you child away to college, it is no badge of honor to send your child off to a place where they need to fight bigotry.</p>
<p>You should visit the schools you're interested in so you can see first-hand what a school is like. That is the best way to gauge an institution's/town's commitment to diversity. </p>
<p>Just because I experienced racism in NY (next to NYU mind you) would I suggest that New York University and New York City are bad places for minorities.</p>
<p>go5878-- I guess I disagree with you. If a minority is a Virginia resident who pays taxes for UVa, or has decided that UVa is what he or she wants academically, to be intimidated by the possibility of racism enough to not attend seems very weak-- paramount to letting the very people that don't want them there win. Life is not easy. The only reason UVa even accepts applications from minorities, including women, is because people have pushed and challenged the status quo. I absolutely think it would be a "badge of honor." Certainly we look at those integrating the Alabama public schools in the face of mobs and the governor as heroes today. This is a pretty extreme example, but although racism is no longer this overt it cannot be tolerated or ignored and must be constantly challenged at every level, it is far from gone.</p>
<p>You obviously don't have children. No parent ever relishes putting their children in harms way, even to make a moral stand.</p>
<p>go, I don't know what you're talking about by saying that "no parent relishes putting their children in harms way." Their is absolutely no "harm" to be found at UVA that wouldn't be found elsewhere.</p>
<p>The Daily Progress (cville) had an article about this Sunday. All of the "victims" claim they feel safe, would come back, and encourage their friends to go to UVa.</p>
<p>The one parent is unsure. No one else is. Is he wiser, can see the big picture? Or does he just not have the first hand experience of UVa today and remains prejudiced by events in the south a generation ago and the endless inflamatory press?</p>
<p>I don't have kids, no, but by the time my children (by now legal for war, smoking, sex and choosing the leaders of our country) are ready for college, I certainly won't "put" them into anything, much less something that will determine their next four years, lifes friends, honor etc.</p>