Thursday, February 13, 1997
Chancellor calls for respect on campus
It has come to my attention that a certain group recently has
been carrying signs and shouting slogans on Bruin Walk that are
disparaging to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
community. These activities have been reported in the Daily Bruin,
and many members of our campus community have registered their deep
concern.
As one of the nation’s premier universities, UCLA places a high
value on diversity of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation,
religious belief and thought. I have stated publicly many times
that I believe our excellence is closely tied to the diverse
environment we have created here, where we respect the differences
among us.
The First Amendment offers broad protection for individuals to
speak their minds, and at UCLA, we cherish that right. But speech
that targets a particular group for insult is offensive and
counterproductive. Rather than contributing to any sensible
dialogue or exchange of ideas, such speech only inflames emotions
and causes hurt. I’d hope an institution of higher learning could
do better.
We strive for an ideal at UCLA where individuals from many
different backgrounds can interact with sensitivity to each other.
I appeal to all members of our campus community to do what you can
to help us achieve that ideal and ensure that UCLA remains a place
that is inclusive and respectful to all.
Charles E. Young
Chancellor
Inappropriate headline
I am addressing the Daily Bruin staff and editor(s) concerning
the title, ‘Endangered Species,’ given to my article last Tuesday,
Feb. 4. This title chosen by The Bruin was an insult to the
representation of Pilipinos and completely undermines the purpose
of my article in bringing Pilipino issues into light. The history
of Pilipinos has been marked by degradation and the American,
racist perception of my people as ‘brown monkeys.’ The title that
was chosen for my article perpetuated this animalized stereotype
and absolutely disregards the history of racism in the Pilipino and
Pilipino American experience.
The Daily Bruin proclaims it is committed to ‘prohibiting the
publication of articles that perpetuates derogatory cultural and
ethnic stereotypes,’ yet it reserves the right to edit submitted
material. I question The Bruin’s actions of choosing the title of
my work and then contradicting their own guidelines by making a
derogatory stereotype on Pilipinos.
This is undoubtedly a deep violation of The Bruin to its
commitment to its code of ethics. The Daily Bruin Viewpoint
editor(s) and staff have committed a grave injustice to myself, to
the Pilipino community, to Pilipino history and to Pilipino
American history.
I hope The Bruin considers this criticism as constructive and I
hope that whenever they place a title to a work, they have full
knowledge of the article’s subject matter and are sensitive to the
history and present struggles of cultures and ethnic groups.
P.J. Gagajena
Vice president
UCLA Samahang Pilipino
Support for
retention
In response to the article by P.J. Gagajena in the Viewpoint
section of the Daily Bruin printed Feb. 4, the American Indian
Student Association would like to articulate our complete and
unwavering support for Samahang Pilipino and their retention
project: SPEAR. We also have a retention project, RAIN!, and in
conjunction with the African Student Union’s ASP retention project
and MEChA’s Calmecac program, we will continue to support the
retention of students of color at UCLA. As the Campus Retention
Committee board begins negotiations for the renewal of Statement of
Understanding with the chancellor and Vice Chancellor Winston Doby
of Student Affairs, AISA and our representative to the board, plans
to support and advocate on behalf of SPEAR and all of the retention
projects. We will not allow arbitrary administration decisions to
change our views on what students of color need at this campus.
Samahang Pilipino can count on our support in these negotiations
and also our overall support of their effort to address students’
needs at UCLA. The university administration needs to be held
accountable to the students and the communities that comprise UCLA.
The American Indian Student Association urges all other USOs and
student organizations to voice their support and take an active
role in ensuring that student needs are met at UCLA.
Nina Stanton
President
American Indian Student Association
Why so radical?
The debate over Ebonics has been distorted beyond recognition by
those who would use it as political ammunition.
What the Oakland School Board really did was simple.
1. They acknowledged that many of their students speak a
non-standard dialect of English  which they call Ebonics
 rather than continuing the traditional practice of sticking
their heads in the sand and pretending that it’s all just
slang.
2. They realized that calling such language "bad" or "sloppy"
was counterproductive to their goal of teaching their students
standard English.
3. They decided that, as a teaching tool, it would be wise to
illustrate for their students exactly how standard English differs
from the language they are used to.
Why is this so radical?
Lance Menthe
Graduate student
Department of physics and astronomy