By Ryan Ozimek
Daily Bruin Contributor
Speaking before a crowd of approximately 500 students, the Rev.
Jesse Jackson of the Rainbow Coalition and other members of the
anti-Proposition 209 campaign group made a stop at Westwood Plaza
Monday.
The rally, one of many along the two-week "Save the Dream"
Freedom Bus Tour, brought together speakers such as Jackson,
Dolores Huerta, secretary of the United Farm Workers of America and
Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority, along with
various student speakers from groups such as Movimiento Estudiantil
Chicana/o de Aztlan (MEChA) and Samahang Pilipino.
The noon rally, sponsored by the Civil Rights, Women’s Rights,
and Workers’ Rights Organizations, drew a media frenzy as
photographers and news cameras alike huddled around the plaza’s
platform.
Meanwhile, Prop. 209 protesters carried signs with distorted
pictures of Gov. Wilson with a Pinocchio-style nose that read "Read
between the lines, vote No on 209," and other banners resembling
stop signs that said, "Stop Prop. 209."
Leaders of student groups began the rally by lashing out against
the initiative, calling for voters to defeat the controversial
proposition.
"We need to be prepared for Prop. 209 to pass and look to its
detrimental effects," shouted MEChA representative Margarita
Gonzalez. "Because if it passes, it’s all over for us!"
Fifty minutes after the rally began, Jackson walked into
Westwood Plaza to the roar of the largely anti-209 crowd.
With the Chino Hills High School girls basketball team providing
a backdrop, Jackson began his 45-minute long speech against the
initiative.
"We all know that we are at a crossroad," said Jackson. "But we
need to go forward by hope, not backwards by fear."
He then spoke about what he believed was the American dream.
"The American dream would be like being under one big tent,"
Jackson said. "We can share our cultures, our sciences.
"Here, there are three choices: you can be outside the tent with
people like Dr. King, helping to open the doors for others; you can
be in the margins, where people glorify their ghettos and race; or
you can be inside the tent, with Gov. Pete Wilson and Ward
Connerly, keeping others out."
While most attending the rally clearly displayed their support
of the organizers, some students did not agree with the speakers’
opinions.
"We’ve reached a point at which all the doors are open for
everyone, regardless of their race or gender," said Jeff Brill, a
second-year economics student.
"There are some special cases, but if someone really wants
something, they shouldn’t feel that the government should provide
for them."
Yet in his speech, Jackson saw it in a different light.
"If there is no discrimination and gender inequality, we don’t
need a remedy," Jackson said. "But all evidence shows that women
and blacks are facing closed doors. Affirmative action has turned a
generation of taxpayers into consumers."
Jackson then specifically criticized Gov. Wilson and UC Regent
Ward Connerly on their positions against affirmative action.
"You need to make a statement. You need to tell (Gov. Wilson and
Connerly) that you need a diversified world. These old men can’t
even use a typewriter while you’re talking about the Internet and
e-mail. You’re living in a different world!"
The Reverend also took aim at the popular perceptions on
affirmative action, saying that ending the program could be
detrimental to the social landscape of the state.
"It’s totally misleading and is an attempt to close doors or
keep doors locked from minorities," Jackson said.
According to Jackson, affirmative action can help all races, not
just minorities, by representing the ethnic diversity of the
state.
"Half of all humans are Asian. Whites make up only one-eighth of
the world’s population. When Clinton and Yeltsin meet in Russia,
they represent the minority."
As the rally came to an end, Jackson led the crowd in chanting
"Keep hope alive," and after fielding media questions, left on his
bus for another rally at UC Santa Barbara.
Student organizers felt that the rally was a success with its
rather large turnout.
"The message was a resounding no on Prop. 209 and a yes on
educational access and social justice," said John Du, the
undergraduate student president.
Second-year political science student Andrew Chong mentioned
that attendance seemed to grow as higher profile speakers
arrived.
"It probably made an impression on incoming freshman that the
students are unified" against the initiative, he said.