A scholarship for “whites” is available. Reading that sentence leaves a feeling of uneasiness in my mind, a gut feeling that isn’t unique to me. Recently, the Boston University’s College Republicans released a controversial application for a “Caucasian Achievement and Recognition Scholarship” that requires the applicant to be at least one quarter Caucasian – which gives reason to this feeling of uneasiness.

The scholarship has typical requirements. Students have to submit two essays, the first topic has them describing their ancestry and the second is on, “What it means to you to be a Caucasian-American today.” In addition, they have to be a full-time student and carry at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average.

It’s not unusual to ask for written essays on an assortment of random topics. They vary from asking about one’s background and personal history to why a person decided to follow a vegetarian lifestyle. The “Caucasian Achievement and Recognition Scholarship” does this as well.

Their essay topic is not an odd one, but it lends itself to a racist response. This question may have applicants compare living as their race opposed to other races or the difficulties of being that race. Being Caucasian and comparing yourself to minorities will only make some people more uncomfortable because the essay might sound as if you’re not accommodating to other races. For example, if I was a Caucasian living in California and explained it was difficult going through high school because the school wanted me to take a Spanish class when English is my first language, it might make other people think you’re saying, “If you live in America, then you better know English.”

Questioning the scholarship elimination process has come into focus since the BUCR released the “Caucasian Achievement and Recognition Scholarship” for students. The restrictions in scholarships are similar to many scholarships available for Hispanics. In fact, BUCR President Joe Mroszczyk said the requirements are based on the prerequisites the National Hispanic Recognition Scholarship has.

“If you give out a white scholarship, it’s racist, and if you give out a Hispanic scholarship, it is OK,” Mroszczyk said. “We are not doing this scholarship as a white-supremacy scholarship.”

Why does sensitivity surface when a Caucasian scholarship is given out? Many believe it’s because it’s just another advantage handed out to white America as well as something to keep minorities down. Others argue it just magnifies differences.

The major differences between Caucasian scholarships and minority scholarships is that when minorities write an essay, using the example of learning languages comes off as humbling. To read in an essay that a person came from another country and didn’t know any English but worked hard to learn it and says, “Accept me, I’m just as good as the norm,” – with the norm being white America. When Caucasians try to do the same many can misconstrue it as, “I’m better than most of my own peers for knowing two languages.” It’s because in the back of some peoples’ minds there is an assumption that Caucasians have full advantage in society and any extra accomplishments they have is just flaunting their superiority.

Ideally, scholarships should be given out according to financial need, which is an idea many support. That idea appears to be the point the BUCR is trying to make by providing a scholarship that they think mirrors affirmative action. However, their example belittles many other factors that are taken into consideration.

Let’s say we switch to an economic comparison for scholarships. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “Poverty rates remained statistically unchanged for blacks (24.9 percent) and Hispanics (21.8 percent). The poverty rate decreased for non-Hispanic whites (8.3 percent in 2005, down from 8.7 percent in 2004) and increased for Asians (11.1 percent in 2005, up from 9.8 percent in 2004).”

Using these statistics, financial aid still favors minorities. Notably, there are still poor non-Hispanic whites, but their representation isn’t as prominent.

If the economic comparison doesn’t suit whole tastes, then the next step would be to look at academic achievement, which is why many scholarships ask for a minimum GPA or why a higher GPA can increase the grant amount for aid.

Other factors play into academics. There are so many distractions to handicap achievement, such as the crowded public schools many minorities attend and students’ poor-quality neighborhoods.

Looking back, BUCR’s scholarship raised awareness and brought about discussion but its fault lies in the fact that it just reminded our society of the animosity and resentment associated with social differences. It brought about a discussion without a solution that could transition into change.

One recommended solution is a point system to take in account all the exceptions and situations that warrant attention, then distribute financial aid accordingly.

To make scholarships and aid fair, all we need is a little more trust in each other and our system. Any solution that has been presented has gone under scrutiny and has been combated by conspiracy theories. By absorbing ourselves in conspiracy theories we just thwart chances toward a more fair society.

-Cyrille Villaflores is pre-political science junior.

-This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Send e-mail to letters@thedailyaztec.com. Anonymous letters will not be printed – include your full name, major and year in school.