I hate to quote this detriment to society, but "Why can't we all just get along?" The reason we can't get all get along is minority groups who segregate themselves and authorities who try to force integration. There are more than 50 clubs on campus for minorities only. And The Daily Collegian's editorial opinion on Feb. 1, 1995 has the audacity to say minorities are "underrepresented." They aren't legally allowed to exclude anyone based on race, but due to the nature of these groups, they only encourage membership of a specific type of people. Among these are Black Caucus who is using University funds, from taxes and tuition that you and I both pay, to sponsor the speaker, Conrad Muhammad. I understand that Black Caucus does not represent the views of all blacks, but many would think that they do due to their large presence on campus.

In addition to this self-segregation, there are also authorities trying to force integration. The editorial opinion says the University and students should make black issues a higher priority year-round. They also ask Black Caucus and National Pan-Hellenic Council to bring more speakers or sponsor a black filmmaker's festival. The editorial opinion says that February is Black History Month "to make up for past transgressions." I never owned slaves and wasn't responsible for any lynchings or hatred, etc. The University is constantly recruiting minorities, which is unfair since it is not based on qualifications. Every time a minority is given reparations for "past transgressions," the people who pay for this often are not the ones who committed the act in question. This can be compared to socialism.

What do we need to do to all get along? We need to leave the past behind us and stop the perpetual hate. We need to let people integrate when they want to and go their own route when they so desire. We have to stop whining about being underrepresented. I have yet to hear of a club for whites only or even one day out of the year dedicated to whites only and our proud history. Society would see that as being racist. However, whites are now minorities also. This country no longer has a majority based on race. That is not all we need to do to get along with each other. Education is important. As far as history goes, it has to be updated to include the accomplishments and also the pitfalls of blacks and others previously excluded. It should not naively just report the progresses of this country, but it should also teach about the atrocities so they do not occur again. We have to see ourselves as Americans, not African-Americans, Asian-Americans, etc. unless we truly are. I ask each of you who refer to yourselves in such a manner, "What ties do you have to Africa, Asia, or wherever the label you choice refers to? Why do you call yourselves such?" In politically correct talk, I would be called a straight, white-male type oppressor. In segregationists' language, I would either be a European-American or a Polish/Czechoslavakian-American. I prefer to call myself American only. This is my home and I love it here. I have no real ties to Poland or the former Czechoslavakia even though I may have distant relatives there.

Whatever happened to "the great melting pot," as this country was once referred to, where all immigrants were received and welcomed to leave the oppression from overseas behind them? Some seem to have brought this misery with them and enjoy spreading it around. Stop spreading fear, hate, contempt, and misery so all of us can get along.