Monday, February 28th 2005
Irony Lost
A bit of (unintended) irony in today’s Daily Cal:
The African American Student Development office won’t reopen its doors for another two weeks, but the office’s new director, S. Nzingha Dugas, has been at UC Berkeley for more than a decade preparing for its opening.
Dugas says she will use her nearly thirteen years of experience on campus to create original ways to help alleviate the division between different racial groups she has observed for years.
She then proceeds to talk about not reaching a critical mass (a.k.a. quota) of blacks, about a blacks-only student retreat, and about special services and resources for blacks only.
This is just my opinion, but maybe a better way to “alleviate the division between different racial groups” would have been to keep this center and others like it closed.
Oh, you bastard. It’s on, now.
Comment by B.A.D. — 2/28/2005 @ 7:26 am
I understand a need for a black student group, but a public thing for blacks only? No white person or non-blacks can’t enter? What’s up with that? Diversity does not mean one thing for just one group to make sure other groups are banned in attending or participation, this does bother me and I thought diversity is not about exclusion or discrimination on race, color, gender, religion, socio-economics, sex orientation or whatever. I’m a typical liberal, not conservative…but some things I admit on agreeing in here at the Cal Patriot…I must be moderate or ‘left-of-center’ instead of focusing on the far left side (Marxism is far left like Fascism is far right.) I wanna let you know St. patrick’s day is coming up soon, and you gotta be Irish to celebrate? The holiday is genuinely American, its’ when everyone dresses in green or talks about pots of gold and everybody goes in bars to get drunk. Sounds like a holiday for everybody not just the Irish or anyone said they have Irish in ‘em…most ‘white’ Americans or whoever else has Irish ancestor. I never heard of Martin Luther King day is strictly for black people too…we all know the civil rights leader spoke for not just black people, but all peoples’ civil rights must never get denied or taken away. I mean a federal holiday most offices and public services close for the day to celebrate his legacy of integration of people without regard to race and color. Don’t promote group bias while you say ‘I’m against racism” but set up a public thing with a rule: no other races or ethnic groups allowed. Huh +
Comment by Michael — 3/1/2005 @ 3:19 am
Patrick - Do you have anything to do all day besides attacking the Cal African American community? Obviously the concepts of compound inequality and corrective measures are too complex for you to grasp.
Michael - Before the misinformation you’ve somehow acquired completely consumes you in the throws of seething anger, you should know that the African American Student Development is not closed to students who aren’t black. It’s simply for people who are black. It’s purpose is to alleviate the pressures black students face as a significant minority, to bridge gaps between ethnic, cultural, and racial groups, to basically serve as a place of refuge for black students. No space on campus is closed to anyone based on race, gender, gender identification, age, religion, sexual orientation, etc., etc. However, that doesn’t mean that special spaces aren’t cultivated for people of a particular identification. These spaces, often called “safe spaces,” exist because discrimination, hate, and bias do exist on this campus and in this world. Publications like the Cal Patriot contribute to this climate by evoking offensive stereotypes, which even in a joking manner, contribute to a tolerance of subtle prejudice. Campus can be a scary place if you feel alone, discriminated against, or potentially discriminated against. People who’ve never experienced racism, sexism, classism, agism, homophobia, etc., from the perspective of the minority cannot trully understand this concept, apparently. These safe spaces aren’t exclusive either, but simply ask for common curtsey and respect from others who’s presence at a particular meeting might not be appropriate. That said, many of these “special interest” student groups contain members who aren’t of that interest, so even if based on your personal identifications you aren’t “appropriate” for a particular group, your status as a friendly, interested, respectful, and sympathetic individual renders you appropriate. Obviously, then, those consumed with seething anger which blinds them to the concept of bridging gaps and offering respect are not appreciated, accepted, or appropriate.
Comment by tea — 3/1/2005 @ 6:52 am