Reverend protests misuse of symbols
Publication chided for representation of Christian icon
By Rashmi Nijagal
A UCLA reverend took the student media and government to task
Tuesday night for misuse of Christian religious symbols displayed
in student publications.
At an undergraduate student government meeting, Rev. Paul
Dechant, associate director of the University Catholic Center,
voiced concern over an advertisement in the Daily Bruin sponsored
by the UCLA Campus Events in conjunction with the undergraduate
student government.
The advertisement displayed an artist’s rendering of Jesus
labeled, "some holy guy," while in the opposite picture,
advertisers placed a photograph of a rock band and asked readers
who they would rather go see.
In a statement issued by Dechant, he stated, "It is unacceptable
at UCLA to degrade anyone because of their Jewish, African, Asian,
Muslim or Latino heritage.
"Likewise, any degrading portrayal of women or of any person
because of her or his sexual orientation is not publically
tolerated. The exception though seems to be in regards to symbols
of Christianity."
In response to Dechant’s complaint, Campus Events Commissioner
Barrett Schaefer stated that at UCLA, sensitivity to different
groups and ideas is important.
"I do not think the ad was sensitive to the beliefs of certain
groups on campus," Schaefer said in agreement with Dechant.
After the presentation, student government decided to consider
further action at a later time.