Last week, the Young Conservatives of Texas at the University of Texas at Austin protested affirmative action by organizing a bake sale with prices based on race and gender. They created a sign that put financial values on certain groups of people based on race and ethnicity.

This inherently racist sale occurred previously in the years 2004, 2008 and 2013 by the same organization. The fact that it was organized again this year shows that racism is still present at the University.

“Inherent privilege comes for people like me, white cisgender males,” Student body president Kevin Helgren said in an interview with KVR News. “Affirmative action helps to fight that and even the playing field.”

The bake sale was condemned by hundreds who stood in support of affirmative action. Although members of the Campus Climate Advisory Board considered the event to be “offensive, inaccurate, and hate-filled,” wholeheartedly condemned the event, it’s up to students at the University to stand up for others’ rights. Organizations such as the Young Conservatives will continue to host events insinuating racism and staying within the bounds of the First Amendment. Events such as racist bake sales will momentarily give students a wake up call, and the organization will likely continue

The Campus Climate Advisory Board forwarding a statement the next morning will never be enough. Our students deserve much more. The protest was full of emotion — from exasperation to disheartenment. But most of all, minorities on campus were tired. Time and time again they are reminded that they will never be treated with the inherent white privilege that Helgren mentioned.

“The quality of an education here at the University of Texas hinges on and is affirmed by the differences that our peers bring forth both within and beyond the classroom,” Helgren said. “Affirmative action helps us recruit a more talented and diverse student body, and trying to suggest that it doesn’t is pretty disheartening.”

The bake sale organized by a few racists was met by the hundreds of students and faculty alike that stood in protest against racism. Protesters fought in support of affirmative action for hours. Although the nature of the bake sale was offensive and hurtful to minority students like myself, seeing such a huge crowd of protesters form within minutes superseded the sadness caused by the nature of the sale. Racism will likely always be a part of society but seeing a much larger group supporting minority students spoke volumes about the values of the majority of Longhorns.

Saifullah is a neuroscience junior from Richardson. Follow her on twitter @coolstorysunao