An orchid is just as lovely as a daisy, from an objective
standpoint. They are both intricate organisms with aesthetic value.
That is why florists will sell one flower as often as the other,
and why society treasures them both. It’s a shame that we
don’t feel the same way about humans and their activities as
we feel about flowers.
In too many events and opinions I reviewed at the Daily Bruin,
various campus groups have treated others thoughtlessly. At UCLA,
this discrimination is often cloaked in intellectualism. We aspire
to certain systems of knowledge and disparage others. Most
frequently, this discrimination occurs on cultural lines.
Unfortunately, many perspectives and systems of knowledge are
disregarded because they aren’t mainstream or traditional.
This intellectual separatism works to society’s disadvantage.
What cures have been overlooked because Western medicine scoffs at
traditional Asian remedies? How many civilians die in religious
wars because opposing parties do not respect each others’
rights and practices? Which forms of art are underappreciated
because they do not adhere to the traditional European standards
students are indoctrinated with?
Things fall apart when people ignore each others’ cultural
knowledge. The center does not hold. And during my year writing
about these events, I have watched the bud of the problem grow at
UCLA.
There are enormous tensions between the Muslim Students
Association and the Jewish Students Union because the two groups
haven’t tabled their arguments. The English department
doesn’t offer a single class on spoken word poetry, and many
students lose the chance to experience this innovative form of
expression. And UCLA is still the only university in the UC system
without a diversity course requirement. These are only indicators
of our larger societal problem.
In the information age, we are losing vital knowledge that other
cultures could provide us. And as we overlook cultural wisdom, we
miss opportunities for social progress. In fact, sometimes we drive
our communities backward.
In all the subjects that I covered, I was most amazed by the
number of people who backed Proposition 22. The measure’s
supporters did not try to understand the intimacy of long-term
commitments in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community
or learn about relationships from couples largely freed from gender
roles. Instead, they ignorantly reduced the chance for a specific
group of people to enjoy the right of marriage.
I have written about such events all year long, but never in my
own voice. As a Viewpoint assistant editor, my position has been to
compile the editorial board’s opinion. But now in my last
week at the Daily Bruin, I finally have an opportunity to address
the campus. And I would like to remind students of one truth.
We are all beautiful people. We are all like flowers. Sometimes
little demonic flowers with bloody red petals and pointy thorns,
but flowers nonetheless. So let’s value everyone’s
needs and cultures, learn from the convergence of our knowledge,
and give ourselves a greater potential to fulfill our roles as
leaders of society.