Ramirez is a fourth-year American literature and culture and
chicano studies student.
By Erica Ramirez
As I stepped on to this campus this quarter, I did not see the
diversity we so often tout at UCLA. As a public institution that
should be representative of the public, particularly that of Los
Angeles and the surrounding areas, we are quite a distance from
achieving diversity on this campus.
We are quickly reminded of this as the number of
underrepresented students continually drop. For this reason, along
with the disturbing comments made in articles and viewpoints I have
read since last spring and in the last few weeks, I feel compelled
to respond.
As a graduating senior, I refuse to bury my head in shame or
lower my voice in guilt. I will not render myself invisible for the
sake of “getting along” or focusing on
“similarities.” I am different, period. I have no
qualms with admitting it, yet it seems like Elizabeth Houston
(along with others) has a problem with that. Perhaps she feels
threatened by that. I wonder, though, if it is perhaps the
realization that we the people of color, the women, the queers will
not just shy away in the face of ignorance. The fact of the matter
is that if we wait until we find an issue that addresses the
majority of the campus, then there will be no need to advocate for
diversity, because the homogenous group remaining will have
forgotten what that was.
As for the need to address only a “minority” of the
campus during Welcome week, I am appreciative of those that
supported such an event. These events are not only helpful, but are
necessary. There is a reason why we are the minority. Not only have
many of us been systematically discriminated against, but it has
also been very difficult for us to feel welcome on this campus.
UCLA does not have to say, “All the people of color, working
class, and queers, stay out,” or “You don’t
belong here.” Yet, for many of us this is not only the
impression we get when stepping on this campus, but it is also
something we’ve encountered throughout our lives. This is our
history.
On several occasions Houston has asked us to “move beyond
the past,” yet that is extremely difficult when the past, our
history, continues to shape our present realities.
Malcolm X once said, “Of all our studies, history is best
qualified to reward our research.” This quote not only speaks
to academic research, but it also includes the personal research we
must do throughout our lives.
When I am asked to “move beyond the past” or stop
harping on prejudices and racism, I do not have to look far to know
that I can’t. I can not move beyond the fact that my mother,
an immigrant from Mexico, continues to work day after day as a
housekeeper to make it easier for her children. I cannot move
beyond this country’s history of exploitation and oppression.
Nor can I simply move beyond the long legacy of struggle that
allows me to write this article today.
Author and activist Audre Lorde reminds us that, “by
ignoring the past, we are encouraged to repeat its mistakes.”
So, this “wound of racism” Houston speaks of cannot be
healed by a token salve of “unity.”
Unity, as a band-aid remedy to the hemorrhaging wounds that have
ruptured deep within us, will not suffice.
Unity for unity’s sake is an insult to the dedicated
communities that continue struggling for visibility and justice. I
need not cite Webster’s Dictionary to speak of diversity,
because it will not tell me that diversity is about more than just
being different. It is also about respect, which cannot be achieved
by simply saying we will all unite, without really understanding
our points of departure as well as our future goals. A false sense
of unity can never replace a genuine understanding of
diversity.
Furthermore, I am appalled by Houston’s comments regarding
homophobia (specifically, the lack of) on this campus. Houston
said, “I don’t think anyone on this campus is
(homophobic); maybe those people who are from wacko backgrounds or
something “ (Daily Bruin, “Houston’s
speech ruffles feathers,” Sept. 29).
Not only does this statement dismiss the numerous hate crimes
against queers on this campus, but also by refusing to acknowledge
it, she ignores that countless ways in which homophobia,
consciously and unconsciously, permeates this campus. By ignoring
the present realities of the queers that have to deal with this on
a daily basis, she is only perpetuating another form of homophobia:
ignorance.
So, until I can walk on this campus without feeling inundated
with heteronormative assumptions, until I can hold hands with
someone of my same gender without receiving cold stares or
insensitive murmurs, and until I can feel free to express myself as
an individual and as a member of my communities, we cannot argue
that this campus does not need to be made aware of queers,
especially queers of color.