Asian Americans should be counted too

(in response to “Falling behind: How the UW is failing to represent black diversity and what needs to be done,” by Celeste Flint, Jan. 25)

“Falling Behind” raises an important issue. The article says that the UW is trying to represent the black community. If the UW is not racist, then that same effort should be put toward all races. For example, in 2006 12.8 percent of King County was Asian American, while 26 percent of UW undergraduates were Asian American (the most recent survey I could find was done by the United Way of King County). If the UW is trying to reflect the community, then they are way off in representing the Asian American community in King County, which is where most students are coming from. I hope that the UW accepts one student over another based on grades, test scores and achievements, not on skin color or race.

We just had Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. MLK said, “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” I don’t believe that’s always the case for the people I have talked with about being accepted here. If the UW really cares about under-representation among its staff, then they need to work on the issue with undergraduates. Don’t celebrate a holiday for Dr. King and then oppress his dream. I’m not trying to play the race card — I just want this great school to be fair.

—Rob Pollard,

Junior, biology

Some Greek kudos

(in response to “Sensitivity toward hazing is leading to change, if only slowly,” by Nick Feldman, Jan. 17)

I just wanted to send a word of thanks to you for your article. I have to admit that being Greek and having been in a Greek leadership position, I was very hesitant to read this article. Most articles from The Daily have been very negative about our community. This article really brought to light a taboo, contentious issue. It educated those in the community about hazing and what it means. Thank you again for your frankness and your choice to educate rather than slander.

—Chelsea Bergesen

Senior, political science and international studies

Only purpose of “surge” to give Iraqis more time

(in response to “Inconvinient success in Iraq, as seen in the South Carolina debate,” by Tom Walker, Jan. 28)

If a Democrat said the sun was coming up in the east, Thomas Walker would dispute that. On the so-called “surge” in Iraq: While it’s wonderful that there “seem” to be fewer deaths happening, the only purpose of the “surge” was to give the Iraqis time to get their political act together. On this score they have totally failed. They are no closer to agreement than they were the day we invaded. All sides hate the others. Walker needs to be more open-minded to new ideas (read: liberal) and maybe someday he’ll get it. Until then, he will never know what he is are talking about.

— Richard Ellenberger,

Campus mailing services

Money isn’t always the best solution

(in response to “Creative charities worth your cash,” by Jackson Rohrbaugh, Jan. 29)

First and foremost, let me say that I adamantly agree with your views on charity in your article, especially concerning college students and our false self-perception of poverty. However, in the infant magazine Good, author Jenny Price highlights some inherent problems even within charitable actions in her article “Against Philanthropy.” While pointing out that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation invests 95 percent of its assets and uses 5 percent to fund programs, she asserts that these investments often go to the very companies that create the problems they donate to in the first place, a common problem among big-name charitable foundations.

Specifically, she cites a recent case from the Gates Foundation in which a “$218 million program provides polio and measles vaccinations [in the Niger Delta]. Yet the foundation invests $423 million in five major oil companies whose oil-plant emissions have created a regional epidemic of respiratory illnesses … [and] have also been linked to immune deficiencies that make children more vulnerable to polio and measles.” The point of this is not, “Don’t donate!” but rather that we should give intelligently and effectively. As she aptly concludes, “First, make sure you do no harm. Pay workers fairly for the wealth they help you accumulate, and don’t create and contribute to huge environmental messes. Only then, think about hand-outs.”

—Tauna Soderquist

Freshman, pre-humanities