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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1999)
Two student protesters clarify their demands The name in the following excerpt has been changed. “Your remark to Larry was not appropriate, therefore you will get an inappropriate re sponse I was going to say this to you many classes ago, before this class, I think you know who lam. I think you are an ‘anal,’ ‘prude,’ bitch, you suggested a lack in the ass for Larry, well what you need honey is someone to spread your legs (real wide, considering how tight it is) and fuck you up the ass, a kick would not be enough!! and then maybe you will begin to understand what it is like to be taken advantage of. HAVE A NICE DAY.....I don’t like when people get picked on, so don’t mess with me....” “If you do not shut-up, you will see what racism truly is.” Most of you have heard about the campus demonstration and the protests that took place two weeks ago, including the arrests of 31 students on May 18. The students protesting are urging the admini stration to assume a more active role in establishing a safe environment for all students re gardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or religion. The nonviolent sit-in was in stigated by a series of e-mails that were racist and sexist and at tacked certain individuals. Con trary to what the local media may portray us as, the students work ing on these issues are leaders from all facets of the University, striving to make positive (and necessary) change on campus. More than 100 students, facul ty and staff coming from diverse backgrounds and various stu dent/community organizations attended the nine-hour sit-in at Johnson Hall. The dialogue began in a plan ning, public policy and manage ment class over a racial remark that Latinos — because of their culture — did not have a strong work ethic. Many comments con tinued through e-mail. The first e-mail above was what one white woman received from a male classmate. The second e-mail was received by an Asian woman in the class. These are uncensored and tak en directly from the e-mail, un like what you may have been reading from the censored ver sion in the media. As you can see, these com ments are not being exaggerated into a threat, and they are not comments that some highly sen sitive students are using to whine about racism or sexism. Rather, they are grossly disturbing and directly offensive remarks that placed these women in fear and reveal the ugly issues that are be hind them. We students feel that such re marks are indicative of a larger problem at the University. The atmosphere on campus is unsafe and perpetuates racism, sexism and homophobia. Unfor tunately, instances such as the one in the PPPM class occur more often than most are willing to believe. Although University statistics do not accurately reflect the fre quency of such occurrences, the fact is that many women, people of color and LGBT students have to deal with various “-isms” reg ularly. At the sit-in in at Johnson Hall, students expressed their frustra tions concerning the prevalence of such acts, as well as the insuffi cient response from the adminis tration. Since then, numerous students, faculty and staff have approached us personally to not only thank us for our efforts but tc also share their own experiences with ignorance at the University. To address this larger problem, we have been continually meeting with the administration to discuss a list of short- and long-term goals to create a safer and more inclu sive campus environment. We would also like to take this chance to respond to some con cerns about our demands ex pressed in some recent letters to the editor and some points in the Emerald. First of all, a Pledge of Respect statement signed by incoming students is on our list of de mands, but the nature of this statement has been misinterpret ed by some. As opposed to “an oath of racial and gender ortho doxy upon entering the Universi ty” (Letters to the Editor, ODE, May 20), this statement instead informs students of the Universi ty’s policy of zero tolerance of hate crimes, threats, and offens es. This policy is in the making. Students will be asked to sign this pledge to be made aware of the University’s commitment to Backgound checks stop illegal gun sales The Associated Press SALEM — The state’s 3-year old background check law ap pears to be stopping convicted felons from buying guns, although police rarely arrest diem for trying, the Statesman Journal reports. The newspaper reviewed Ore gon State Police records and found that only 52 of the 1,389 felons denied handguns at gun shops under the instant-check system were arrested. State police say that’s exactly the way the system is supposed to work. “The whole purpose of this sys tem is not to arrest people,” said Tom Dixson, who supervises the instant-check system. “The pur pose is to keep guns out of the hands of disqualified buyers.” But gun user groups say police should crack down on felons be fore enacting more gun control legislation. The National Rifle Association also wonders why police allow convicted criminals to walk away from illegal gun sales, while Ore gon and other states keep detailed records of law-abiding gun buy ers. The NRA draws support from many law enforcement officials who believe that a criminal de nied a weapon at the gun shop will keep looking if there is no ar rest for the attempted purchase. “If they walk out of the gun store, they are going to try to find a weapon somewhere else,” Mo lalla police Chief Rob Wilkens said. “You can only guess what they want it for.” Nearly one-third of Oregon’s felons are convicted again within three years of their release, ac cording to the Oregon Department of Corrections. Still, praise the background checks, and surveys show that maintaining records of gun trans actions has assisted police in solving 117 cases, including mur der, drug and weapons cases. RYDER Getting a year's worth of stuff into a car is like trying to cram 10 pounds into a S-pound sack. You've crammed enough for a while. Give yourself a break. Call Ryder and truck it - at the right price. www.yellowiruck.coni Advanced reservation required, Present this coupon at the time of /our rental. I ■+ 10 Discount One-Way Moves Coupon only applicable to basic rate of truck rental, which does not include taxes, fuel and optional items. One coupon per rental. Coupon subject to truck availability and Ryder Moving Services standard rental requirements. Coupon expires December 31.2000. Coupon not valid with any other offer, discount or promotion. 1-800-GO-RYDER Ryder* is a registered trademark of Ryder System. Inc. and is used under license. Off Local Moves Note to Dealer: 1. Enter discount on rates screen. 2. Enter Coupon I.D. on payment screen. NCO30 3. Attach to rental agreement and send in with weekly report. RA Number_ L J Commentary AneelahAfeali& creating a positive and nurturing learning environment. Again, this statement is not made to con trol people’s thoughts or ideolo gies, but rather to inform them of the University’s commitment to respect and diversity. Furthermore, the University cannot and will not “refuse stu dents admission on any ideologi cal grounds” (Letter to the Editor, ODE, May 20). Second, the May 19 Emerald pointed out that student pro testers demanded “at least $1 million to University diversity We're not just Hot We're Coo We now have Cool Salads, Cold Soups and Catering! Be Cool this Graduation, have us plan your next Party. ^ Come by for our new Catering Menu. (arte Blanche 1 Soup Cart @ 14th & Kincaid one mock S of the U of 0 Bookstore p cart block S of I at PLC, Mon Fri, It am 3pm |; 1 Sou pery • Cntcrinj* \ S41-S4 3-SOlJP R ECYCL E r and safety causes. Yes, we are asking for greater monetary funds to be allotted to ward diversity and safety. How ever, the dollar amount is not yet determined. We are in the process of researching and preparing a budget proposal to present to the administration. For example, we would like to see the re-instatement of a specif ic position — vice president for student affairs — so students have a voice and a representative in the administration. Another budget item will provide diversi ty training for students, faculty and staff to engage them in open dialogue, raise awareness and create a safer and more inclusive learning environment. It is our demand that the ad ministration assume a proactive, rather than reactive, approach in dealing with such bigotry and hatred. Because of student-initi ated efforts, the administration is working with students on some of these significant issues. We ask you, as students, faculty, staff and community members to par ticipate in this much-needed process for change. We strongly ask for your sup port of these issues and encour age your involvement in bringing about a positive campus climate. Aneelah Afzali is a senior mapring in psychology. Jessica Billingslea is a senior mapring in political sci ence. For the complete e-mail dis cussion, please visit this Web site, gladstone. uoregon. edu/ -asuomca/tiews. SC HE ARE NOW Registation starts University of Oregon 10:00 AAA Please Call 346-4361 www. craf tcenter. uoregon. edu BgPCRAFT CENTER l
