Issue date: 9/19/06 Section: Mail Call

It is really hard to believe that some people still do not think that we have a problem here at Texas A&M. This is my third year here, and I wouldnt't think about going to any other university. But there are times when I walk around this campus and cannot help but feel that I stand out. When I hear comments like, "Go back to Mexican-ville" and "Look at all those immigrants," it makes me sad. First of all, even though I look Mexican, I am not. My father is of Spanish decent and my mother is from Samoa, an island in the Pacific Ocean. And I was born in Germany because my father was enlisted in the U.S. Army, but I was practically raised in Texas, so I am just as American as anyone else here in this country. But when people assume that I am not from here just because of the way I look, it bothers me. It also bothers me when Aggies say that diversity should not be a concern. Well, what does Mr. Alexander expect when he goes out into the real world and has to work with people who are not conservative, closed-minded and Caucasian. This may be a shock to you, but Aggieland does not represent well what the real world is really like. A&M has its own unique environment. Some people think A&M is diverse, but they are in for a huge surprise when they graduate. There are also many high schools where the top ten percent is nothing but minorities. And the reason why minorities do not apply here is because there are intimidated by the largely Caucasian environment and people like you. But this is not just a black and white issue, I'm sure many other Latino, Chinese, Vietnamese, Phillipino, disabled, lesbian, women, Indian and gay Aggie students were angry with your comments.

Enrique Garza
Class of 2008

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