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Fundraiser For "White Male" Illness Dropped

gubachwa writes "The student association at Carleton University in Canada recently voted that Cystic Fibrosis was a charity unworthy of receiving money raised during orientation week fund-raising activities. The reason behind the decision, as given in the motion on which the student association voted, is that Cystic Fibrosis 'has been recently revealed to only affect white people, and primarily men.'" I'm speechless.

8 of 241 comments (clear)

  1. Update by thox_rendar · · Score: 5, Informative

    This was a decision reached several days ago, and it has since been brought to the attention of the students that they were misinformed. They have already made a public apology for the negative press to the school and will repeal their decision at the next council meeting of the student association.

    1. Re:Update by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Did they repeal their racist and sexist attitude or is that still okay?

    2. Re:Update by Ed+Avis · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Cystic fibrosis only affects people who have cystic fibrosis, which is a tiny minority of the population (a much smaller minority than white men). So if they must choose a charity that represents the entire student body, it's clearly not suitable, since most of the students do not have CF and never will.

      If that is their criterion, the only choice open to them is just to give the money back to the students. Any other use would be favouring one minority or another.

      --
      -- Ed Avis ed@membled.com
    3. Re:Update by OeLeWaPpErKe · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The point isn't to benefit either the students OR their communities. Otherwise it would be called "investment", not "charity". "Charity" means helping people AGAINST your own intrest.

      If they're mere investment bankers, a sort of insurance salesmen, then they should call themselves such.

    4. Re:Update by sjames · · Score: 5, Insightful

      So if I claim it's wrong to fund sickle cell research because it only affects black people that's OK? Somehow it sounds like I could get tarred and feathered if I actually said that!

    5. Re:Update by Lulfas · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Didn't you know? Racist and sexist opinions against white males are encouraged. Feeling different is considered racist and sexist.

    6. Re:Update by cvd6262 · · Score: 5, Informative

      As a faculty member, I must say that... ... I totally agree.

      Some members of our faculty recently read a book on "white privilege" which cited documented falsehoods to justify the author's position.

      What's worse is the rise (far more in the social sciences) of "critical" research methodologies. With these, the "researcher" doesn't control for their own bias, but admits to researching in support of their stated biases (usually the empowerment of the disenfranchised).

      I told one colleague that when you begin research knowing the answers (rather than the questions), you're a lobbyist, not a researcher. That wasn't well received.

      --

      I'd rather have someone respond than be modded up.

  2. Awwwwww... by Syrente · · Score: 5, Funny

    When I first saw the news topic I thought that some smarmy prankster had started a fundraiser to cure the disease of 'being a white male.' I was going to laugh.
    Now it's all serious, you jerks.

    And thanks to the severity of my condition (whitus maleus) I'm going to die, soon. Way to ruin a dying man's fun.