The ACLU meeting coverage in Thursday's Collegian refers to attendees suggesting that a class on racism is better suited for high school because "racial misunderstandings have already been established by college." Are we not embracing these "misunderstandings" if we justify them by saying they're already embedded? When we are talking about social justice and dispelling dangerous misconceptions of race and racism, the you-can't-teach-an-old-dog-new-tricks routine simply does not work.

Our campus problems extend far beyond racist acts and prejudice; there is a lot of ignorance and a belief that racism no longer exists here. An introductory class on racism would at the very least spread a recognition and awareness as to what goes on today, without denying difference. To say that any 17 or 18 year old's mind is so fixed does not lend enough credit to education or consciousness.