sadatx, this whole thread seems to be now going about the right of the black community to call upon past sufferings.
What the students themselves however did and intended, as far as I can see, is call the university on their vague PC notions like African-American if what they really mean is black.
Just to be an ass to the PC crowd, I'll say it again, BLACK.
I don't agree with the notions of past suffering that entitle them to such unique awards.
I DO however agree that these awards are just. Like it or not, there is alot of poverty, uncaring and just generally uncivilised behaviour all around us. This award gives a person that stands out because of his behaviour, excellence and achievements some praise, brings a bit of focus to their example and rewards them for embellishing who they can be, in spite of their surroundings.
So as far as that goes, I say the award is a good idea. Let it exist. And get rid of stupid euphemistic, pussified, never-get-to-the-point language. That's what the students imho were pointing out. Not that it was a racist award.