Census statistics released earlier this month show that 42 percent of the Texas population is white, non-Hispanic, down from 50 percent ten years ago. As white males are now the minority in the state of Texas, the newly founded “Former Majority Association for Equality” is granting scholarships to white males.
Colby Bohannon, an Iraq War veteran and president of the FMAE, is the creator of the scholarship. He explains that he was inspired to create the scholarship for white males as he faced a great deal of difficulties on his own personal search for a scholarship.
“Our aim is actually just to help students. We are not trying to jump on any political agenda or bandwagon,” says Bohannon.
In addition to having a financial need, applicants for the scholarship must be male, and at least a quarter Caucasian, with a commitment to education. Likewise, applicants must have a minimum of 3.0 grade point average.
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According to FMAE, however, the scholarship is not racially motivated and does not intend to promote racial bigotry or segregation.
Bohannon explains, “Our organization will have nothing to do with any organization that promotes bigotry, supremacy or discrimination.”
Aware of the criticism he will likely face, Bohannon says, “We know that we’re going to be receiving some vicious attacks from people claiming that we are racists or promoting some bigotry-filled agenda.”
Reuters describes Bohannon’s motivation:
The idea was that there are many scholarships geared toward helping minorities and women attend college, and there are also scholarships for people from certain religions or from certain families. But Bohannon thought his demographic group was missing.
Asserting that the goal of the scholarship is simply to level the playing field, FMAE’s fundraising coordinator, Calysta Spence, adds, “I believe in equality for everyone, as well as being a strong believer that everyone should have an opportunity to attend college no matter who they are or where they come from.”
