It is disgusting and appalling that Wednesday’s dialogue
on Bruin Walk degraded to the point of insults and slurs. Students
should use their voice for constructive purposes, not ugly and
divisive rhetoric.
Next year’s student leaders will have a difficult
challenge ahead of them if they have the courage to address racial
tensions on this campus.
Bruin Walk echoed with anger after 12 p.m. during a rally
organized by Samahang Pilipino. The speakers spoke about various
issues, including reverse-racism, but the event itself was quickly
overshadowed by allegations of bigoted comments directed against
members and supporters of both the Student Power! slate and the
opposing Bruins United slate.
No Daily Bruin reporters were present at the rally, and despite
several hours of investigation, it was not possible to confirm
exactly who said what.
However, it is clear that racist comments were made and that
members of various student organizations traded accusations of
racism and intolerance throughout the rest of the day.
It is time to stop wasting First Amendment rights on petty and
immature insults and for the UCLA community to confront the issue
of race. Yes, UCLA should promote free speech on campus, even if it
is offensive. But no student should hide behind the First Amendment
so that he or she can perpetuate racist beliefs and make derogatory
comments.
Students should feel comfortable debating substantive issues
such as affirmative action, class division and ethnic identity.
However, students must be aware that there is a difference between
constructive discussion and bigoted narrow-mindedness.
Last fall, Chancellor Carnesale told The Bruin, “When I
talk to students … one of the biggest disappointments is not
about the curriculum and diversity, it’s about interactions
among students. It’s the degree of
self-segregation.”
From students to faculty to administrators, more people should
be working on this issue. The students elected in this week’s
USAC election will have to think outside the box when it comes to
improving group interaction and racial division on this campus.
UCLA is too good of a school to be dragged down by a few
miscreants. Student leaders of all colors and creeds should think
past this election and find a way to reach across their divisions
in a genuine demonstration of solidarity.