Monday, October 20, 1997
USAC supports biased political agenda in their advertisement
USAC Obsession with racial issues reveals ridiculous
contradictions
By Dan Ruppel
If there was any question about how out of touch with reality
USAC is, there can be no doubt after reading the full-page ad (that
all of us paid for from our compulsory fees) in the Daily Bruin
this past Monday. Regardless of one’s political views, the
ridiculous premises and conclusions of USAC’s "Native American and
Raza Solidarity Day Resolution" which graced that ad should make
any reasonable person wince.
The resolution is simply too long to properly address in all of
its nonsense, but a selection will convey the general tenor of
their propaganda. The first statement is a good example: "Whereas,
(UCLA) is an institution, created in an inherently racist, sexist
and homophobic society, never intended to serve women, gay,
lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people and communities of color,
used to perpetuate a system of inequality which continues to
marginalize the original inhabitants of this land …"
USAC continues their distorted view of reality from there,
addressing such pressing matters as their desire to exclude Native
Americans from Proposition 209. According to USAC, they are members
of "sovereign nations" and not a racial group, and 209 only
prevents discrimination based on race or gender.
Of course, USAC’s theory has two glaring weaknesses: the
California Civil Rights Amendment also bans discrimination based on
national origin, and the American Indian Nations are not sovereign.
(It’s a good thing too, or Native Americans wouldn’t be eligible
for in-state registration fees).
For USAC, another issue of grave concern (literally) is their
demand that the anthropology department "repatriate" the remains
and burial artifacts of tribal ancestors that have been held
captive in the dark recesses of Haines Hall.
USAC then complains that the half dozen or so
"fill-in-the-victim" studies departments already on campus are just
not sufficient to make up for all the oppression for which UCLA is
directly responsible. They won’t be happy until every incoming
freshman is required to pay homage to the advocates of their
racially preoccupied world view.
If USAC wants to rid UCLA of oppression, they need look no
further than their own policies. The various racial groups that
USAC claims are "oppressed" are actually the most privileged groups
on campus.
Check out the current USAC budget and you’ll find that
race-based SAGs receive the vast majority of the funds allocated to
student groups. In addition to the thousands of dollars they
receive for operational costs, these SAGs enjoy office space in
Kerckhoff which is withheld year after year from equally deserving
student groups.
It is clear from USAC’s actions that their entire focus is on
racial issues. It’s time we had a student government that addressed
issues which concern all students; not just those of a few
race-obsessed extremists.
If you want a student government that will focus on issues like
parking, campus safety, and maybe keep ASUCLA solvent, we invite
you to join our efforts in throwing out the Students First! slate
this spring.