Recently, with the numerous crises(LGBTRC at UC Davis being vandalized, noose and racist shit at UCSD, soon to be March 4th and budget cuts already in place) that have struck our community, we have been forced to struggle against the blatant animosity placed before us and have been met with quite outrageous resistance.
When people organized to let the campus know that we weren't going to take shit like the Compton Cook-out lightly, what did they do? The Koala called BSU a bunch of ungrateful niggers. We protested against that, and what did they do? They hung a noose. We protested against that and what did they do? Said they were with us, issued a bullshit document with empty rhetoric and promises as well as increase the police presence on campus to 'protect' black students when the police are a RACIST institution of oppression.
My question is, when we escalate, do we really think that there's not going to be reaction from our opponents? They're going to escalate. We shouldn't be surprised when they escalate, instead, we should strive to understand the nature of this capitalist, racist, sexist, and homophobic system and the actions it pushes people to materialize. And what language does this system speak? Violence.
This system violently oppresses us and threatens our very existence. Understanding this, it would be foolish and naive of us not to take necessary measures to protect our communities. What do I mean? I mean that we can't just fucking keep marching around and shouting at the higher authorities, demanding them to do something because they won't. We have to understand that they are invested in the system. They serve the system. Their privilege exists because the current system gives these people privilege (the chancellors, politicians, police).
What is needed? Escalated and renewed tactics that implement direct people power.
I'm talking about for March 4th, because we anticipate heavy police presence, and from what we've seen earlier this year with police brutality against protestors, let's not just bring cameras and make a fuss when we get beat up by the pigs, instead, lets' bring rags with vinegar, solution to deal with tear gas, and train ourselves with black bloc tactics(how to move as a coherent unit to prevent being singled out and arrested, etc) so we can effectively resist and protect our brothers and sisters. Instead of relying on racist police to 'protect' us from racists, when they themselves are racist, to take it on ourselves to look after each other and pick up knowledge and skills regarding self-defense. After all, who is going to protect us when the police brutalize us? Not the legal system - only us.
I'm talking about a call to re-think our tactics. Yes, critical liberation theory - they're going to brutalize us because it's in their best interest because this system GIVES THEM PRIVILEGE. What makes you think they're going to willingly give that up? The more we resist, the more we see that those that hold power won't give up their privilege and if we really want to prevent our brothers and sisters from being hurt, why the fuck are we looking to the power system for answers?! The solution is within us to defend our community the way we see fit.
We've reached a point where going back only means returning to the way it was in the beginning - more shit like the Compton Cook-out or Warren College's 'Night of the Orientals Party' or vandalized LGBT resource centers, etc. Either you free or you not - no such thing as in the middle. This second class, oppressed citizenship shit still means we're not free, so let's get real and down with it and stop fronting. It's time to escalate.
Showing posts with label UCSD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UCSD. Show all posts
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
'Compton Cookout'
" OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR -
STUDENT AFFAIRS
CHANCELLOR'S DIVERSITY OFFICE
February 17, 2010
ALL STUDENTS AT UCSD
SUBJECT: Campus Response to Racial Incident
Over this past weekend in an off-campus apartment, a racially-themed
party was held that mocked the commemoration of Black History Month.
The party was announced on Facebook, and while the announcement has
since been removed, it was viewed by many UCSD students before being
taken down. The text of the announcement has been widely circulated, and
news of its creation has been posted on community blogs and
prospective-student recruitment sites.
Many members of our campus community who have viewed the website find
the idea of the gathering to be patently offensive. I understand that
students of color, already finding themselves seriously underrepresented
on our campus, see this incident as an example of UC San Diego's
unwelcoming climate. Others who care about strengthening our sense of
community are dismayed at the language and images chosen. My heart goes
out to all who have been affected by this incident.
I have been reminded by many in our academic community that among the
highest of academic values is our right to free expression, and yes,
this right does extend to offensive speech and misguided humor. At the
same time, I am urged by others to utilize the harshest sanctions in
responding to the organizers of this event.
Currently, Student Life staff are conducting a full investigation of the
incident and the role of registered student organizations in it. They
will determine if this violation of our Principles of Community is also
a violation of our code of conduct. They are working with the national
arms of the relevant Greek letter organizations so that those bodies may
also follow disciplinary processes.
Students most directly affected by this insensitivity feel isolated and
vulnerable in addition to angry. They need to know they are not alone
in their response to this incident. We are launching a campaign
entitled, "Not in our Community," which will allow members throughout
the community to show their support. You can join our Facebook page, or
pick up a button at the Cross-cultural Center or any Student Affairs
office soon and wear it in solidarity.
No one action or reaction will heal the hurt caused by this event.
Instead, I'd like for you to think about what you could do to help us
learn from such a thoughtless incident. Critical conversations among
trusted friends, College-based events, vigorous classroom debate-all
these and more will show that the power to build community is stronger
than the power to divide it. I also welcome your suggestion for steps
the university can take. Please feel free to share with me your
suggestions of ways to respond to this incident, or to others like it
that may go unacknowledged or unreported. You can reach me at
prue@ucsd.edu.
As members of an academic community, when stressed by acts of
intolerance and insensitivity, our collective responsibility is to come
together to discuss and learn from each other. The remedy for
dangerous, offensive or extreme speech is more speech, not less. It is
our collective voices that will show the resilience and strength of the
UC San Diego community. It is also our communal responsibility to help
those who don't understand what the big deal is, who see such expression
as satire, to understand its historic roots and its present day impact.
They need the best attention from members of the educational community.
Student Affairs and the Campus Diversity Office are currently engaged in
numerous initiatives to increase the presence of underrepresented
students and improve the campus climate for all members of our
community, and we welcome your involvement. Please join us at a
Teach-in scheduled for Feb. 24 from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Price Center
East Ballroom, where we'll explore how such incidents continue to occur
today and to discuss the importance of mutual respect and civility on
our campus.
Penny Rue
Vice Chancellor -
Student Affairs
Sandra Daley
Associate Chancellor and
Chief Diversity Officer"
Recently, there was a racist fraternity party titled, "Compton Cookout" in which the theme was to come dressed in 'ghetto' attire and perform black stereotypes which include, but isn't limited to, hypersexualized black women as well as acting 'Shanaynay'.
And this was VC Rue's response.
It says a lot about institutions when racism is protected by 'free speech' while activities of people of color are heavily militarized. Why is it that trash such as The Koala is protected under free speech yet students of color can't have a weekend conference without heavy police presence? There is an obvious material difference in the treatment of the two groups.
The point to take home is that we cannot rely on institutions invested in racist, sexist, capitalism to appropriately address the needs of the community. Despite being told by students and faculty that it's rather inappropriate to throw around this incident as a learning opportunity as if people of color are supposed to feel grateful that the privileged get to have an opportunity to learn at the expense of people of color, VC Rue not only fails to take any action against the students responsible but also reiterates this need to make this a 'learning experience'.
I don't think she was paying much attention at the town hall.
The point was to address institutional problems. There is something wrong with the institution and the climate of the institution. It is racist. It's narrow-sighted to focus strictly on what these fraternities did - we need to focus on the institution and this was not addressed by Penny Rue. Why? She is invested in the institution. Why would we appeal to someone so invested in the institution to deconstruct it? Whose interests does she serve?
People at the town hall were right, this isn't the first and won't be the last time this sort of thing happens because people entering the university are already 18ish year old products of a racist society. How do we change that?
STUDENT AFFAIRS
CHANCELLOR'S DIVERSITY OFFICE
February 17, 2010
ALL STUDENTS AT UCSD
SUBJECT: Campus Response to Racial Incident
Over this past weekend in an off-campus apartment, a racially-themed
party was held that mocked the commemoration of Black History Month.
The party was announced on Facebook, and while the announcement has
since been removed, it was viewed by many UCSD students before being
taken down. The text of the announcement has been widely circulated, and
news of its creation has been posted on community blogs and
prospective-student recruitment sites.
Many members of our campus community who have viewed the website find
the idea of the gathering to be patently offensive. I understand that
students of color, already finding themselves seriously underrepresented
on our campus, see this incident as an example of UC San Diego's
unwelcoming climate. Others who care about strengthening our sense of
community are dismayed at the language and images chosen. My heart goes
out to all who have been affected by this incident.
I have been reminded by many in our academic community that among the
highest of academic values is our right to free expression, and yes,
this right does extend to offensive speech and misguided humor. At the
same time, I am urged by others to utilize the harshest sanctions in
responding to the organizers of this event.
Currently, Student Life staff are conducting a full investigation of the
incident and the role of registered student organizations in it. They
will determine if this violation of our Principles of Community is also
a violation of our code of conduct. They are working with the national
arms of the relevant Greek letter organizations so that those bodies may
also follow disciplinary processes.
Students most directly affected by this insensitivity feel isolated and
vulnerable in addition to angry. They need to know they are not alone
in their response to this incident. We are launching a campaign
entitled, "Not in our Community," which will allow members throughout
the community to show their support. You can join our Facebook page, or
pick up a button at the Cross-cultural Center or any Student Affairs
office soon and wear it in solidarity.
No one action or reaction will heal the hurt caused by this event.
Instead, I'd like for you to think about what you could do to help us
learn from such a thoughtless incident. Critical conversations among
trusted friends, College-based events, vigorous classroom debate-all
these and more will show that the power to build community is stronger
than the power to divide it. I also welcome your suggestion for steps
the university can take. Please feel free to share with me your
suggestions of ways to respond to this incident, or to others like it
that may go unacknowledged or unreported. You can reach me at
prue@ucsd.edu.
As members of an academic community, when stressed by acts of
intolerance and insensitivity, our collective responsibility is to come
together to discuss and learn from each other. The remedy for
dangerous, offensive or extreme speech is more speech, not less. It is
our collective voices that will show the resilience and strength of the
UC San Diego community. It is also our communal responsibility to help
those who don't understand what the big deal is, who see such expression
as satire, to understand its historic roots and its present day impact.
They need the best attention from members of the educational community.
Student Affairs and the Campus Diversity Office are currently engaged in
numerous initiatives to increase the presence of underrepresented
students and improve the campus climate for all members of our
community, and we welcome your involvement. Please join us at a
Teach-in scheduled for Feb. 24 from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Price Center
East Ballroom, where we'll explore how such incidents continue to occur
today and to discuss the importance of mutual respect and civility on
our campus.
Penny Rue
Vice Chancellor -
Student Affairs
Sandra Daley
Associate Chancellor and
Chief Diversity Officer"
Recently, there was a racist fraternity party titled, "Compton Cookout" in which the theme was to come dressed in 'ghetto' attire and perform black stereotypes which include, but isn't limited to, hypersexualized black women as well as acting 'Shanaynay'.
And this was VC Rue's response.
It says a lot about institutions when racism is protected by 'free speech' while activities of people of color are heavily militarized. Why is it that trash such as The Koala is protected under free speech yet students of color can't have a weekend conference without heavy police presence? There is an obvious material difference in the treatment of the two groups.
The point to take home is that we cannot rely on institutions invested in racist, sexist, capitalism to appropriately address the needs of the community. Despite being told by students and faculty that it's rather inappropriate to throw around this incident as a learning opportunity as if people of color are supposed to feel grateful that the privileged get to have an opportunity to learn at the expense of people of color, VC Rue not only fails to take any action against the students responsible but also reiterates this need to make this a 'learning experience'.
I don't think she was paying much attention at the town hall.
The point was to address institutional problems. There is something wrong with the institution and the climate of the institution. It is racist. It's narrow-sighted to focus strictly on what these fraternities did - we need to focus on the institution and this was not addressed by Penny Rue. Why? She is invested in the institution. Why would we appeal to someone so invested in the institution to deconstruct it? Whose interests does she serve?
People at the town hall were right, this isn't the first and won't be the last time this sort of thing happens because people entering the university are already 18ish year old products of a racist society. How do we change that?
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