Letter to the Editor: Bruins should debate complex issues with empathy, sensitivity

May 4, 2015

To the Daily Bruin editor:

Last week, in the midst of the Baltimore protests, several inflammatory stickers appeared on campus, including two posted on the door of the Afrikan Student Union. Serious conversations about race, proper use of force, crime, constitutional policing and other issues are to be expected. Passionate, informed debate – be it about campus elections, national politics or global issues – is part of a healthy community. But we can all conduct that debate with thoughtfulness and with respect, if not for the opinion of others, then at least for their human dignity. Especially on complex issues that can provoke deep feelings of anger, vulnerability or exacerbate tensions and mistrust, I want to emphasize the expectation that all Bruins approach these conversations with empathy and sensitivity, hear each other’s concerns and respond with the same level of integrity with which we all would like to be treated. That is how we build, rather than erode, trust and community.

Of course, all of us in Student Affairs are available to assist and support in any way.

Sincerely,
Janina Montero
UCLA vice chancellor of Student Affairs

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4 Comments

  1. Sounds like another hoax, where students plant racist messages to themselves to get attention. Perfect way to act like a victim!

    1. Sure, because Black students love to post hate messages about ourselves on campus, and SJP members just love to post hate flyers calling themselves terrorist (by the way, David Horshowitz already admitted to doing that). But don’t worry, its all a conspiracy so those colored people can continue to whine and complain about their so-called oppression that doesn’t exist!

  2. Are you serious? This is your response to hate speech on campus? You need to climb out of your bigoted box and experience life on the “other” side. Smug arrogance and smug ignorance are an ugly combination, not worthy of our university.

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