Friday, October 17, 1997
Letters
We must prevent ignorant thought
I am so ashamed of the mind state of some of my fellow students.
It amazes me how young, open-minded, intelligent students can be so
misinformed. It proves that what each person takes from this
educational experience is totally different.
In response to "The Real Bigot" (Monday), claiming that original
Africans had blond hair and blue eyes, and that "little" Malcolm
X’s "little" book was racist, I would just like to know what where
some of your sources for this information? Do you honestly view
Malcolm X as a "little" man with racist views? Where did you hear
that the original Africans, or original people from anywhere for
that matter, had blond hair and blue eyes? Instead of imposing more
of your domineering, covert, racist ideologies on students of
color, maybe you could, for one second, realize the oppression that
closed-minded, ignorant persons such as yourself have imposed on
people of color for the last several hundred years.
No, you didn’t cause or commit these acts that I speak of, but
it was certainly people with your exact mentality that did.
This is why diversity requirements and other measures have been
implemented today. Somehow we must prevent this type of
closed-minded, ignorant thought.
Cori Shepherd
Internal Public Relations
African Student Union
Avoid traffic woes: Ride your bike
In response to Wednesday’s Viewpoint article, "Lack of space
angers Bruin commuters," the article failed to even mention another
option for getting to class – bicycling.
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to commute to UCLA by
bike. While there are some minor inconveniences – certain clothing
limitations and occasionally arriving to class all sweaty – the
benefits are many. First, you save money. Second, you save time: I
can get to campus in 15 minutes, more quickly than by any other
mode.
There’s the environmental factor. It can actually be a pleasant
experience too. The "short cut" through the Veterans Affairs Center
(which connects Westwood to Brentwood) is traffic-free, quiet and
serene. It’s a nice way to wake up in the morning.
Finally, I like to think of it as my own small, personal way of
saying "Bite me!" to the UCLA parking tycoons who have the nerve to
charge $5 a day or a quarter for 7 1/2 minutes at a meter. (Are
they joking?)
I realize that biking is not an option for everyone, but those
who live in the communities neighboring UCLA might want to consider
it. I don’t know what it is about living in Los Angeles that
compels people to hop in their cars any time they’re going farther
than the next block.
Jennifer Musick
Graduate student
School of Public Health