Kevin Sullivan’s letter (March 18) on curing racism by abolishing student associations based on race and culture is a shoddy excuse for bigotry masquerading as logic.

First he mistakes their membership composition as tantamount to being racist. These organizations, like the African Students’ Union to which I belong, aid in the orientation of new students in a foreign setting and in the maintenance of one’s cultural identity. They are not only open to all, but beyond that they foster and promote opportunities or forums for cultural understanding between the university community and their members.

The last point is an essential part of learning and educational exposure not available in formal class which I wish more people, like Kevin, would take advantage of before rushing to write two-bit letters. They would, for example, meet a member of the Malaysian Students Union and realize or learn that not all Moslems are Arabs. Neither is “Moslem” a synonym for “terrorist.” The Northern Star, political science professors, or Dan Rather do not provide such knowledge; it is acquired by interaction with members of these groups.

I am all for a White Students Union or a Bohemian Choir if, like the existing groups, they help others in appreciating their culture—but not to sponsor joy-riders to shout slurs at anyone.

I hope “poor” Kevin’s naivete is not a reflection on the international relations program when he states, “Martin Luther King has been immortalized because he furthered Black causes.” What Dr. King fought and died for, thousands of Asian-Indians, Latin-Americans, Africans, etc., have sacrificed their lives for. And that is for political self-representation, economic determinism, civil and human rights—which are hardly “Black causes,” but universal concerns.

Finally, I would be more than willing to introduce Kevin to fellow members of my group. He may learn something new.

Milton Ochieng

graduate student

secondary education