Letters
Putting things into perspective
Editor:
B. Roderick Spilman’s March 2 letter to the editor, "Silent no
more?" regarding "perverted homosexuals … defacing this campus"
is prefaced "this is not an anti-gay letter," but it clearly
reveals a homophobic agenda.
Why does graffiti expressing same-sex sexuality bother him when
he never mentions the rampant racist, sexist and homophobic
graffiti in bathroom stalls? It is sad that the expression of
sexuality disgusts him, while cruel and ignorant language does
not.
Furthermore, one butt-pinching incident is nothing compared to
the blatant sexism and harassment many women must encounter during
their lifetimes. I must say, it’s humorous and ironic that a
homophobic alumnus who still hangs out at the video arcade got
goosed. I would never encourage sexual harassment or the invasion
of another’s personal space, but I wish Spilman would put things
into perspective before he attacks same-sex graffiti as a major
problem on this campus.
Jeremy Lin
Junior
Theater
Still tracing familial ties to Africa
Editor:
I just wanted to thank Kendra Fox-Davis for her articulate,
insightful response ("Naming oneself: essential to cultural
survival," March 1) to Matthew Baker’s Feb. 24 counterpoint,
"Political correctness factionalizes society." She put into words
my anger as I was reading his article.
I am the descendant (on my paternal grandmother’s side) of a man
renamed Charles Hillary who was brought over on a slave ship from
Portuguese West Africa. His wife died during the journey. Contrary
to Baker’s assertion, many Americans of African descent can trace
definable familial ties to the African continent.
Alva Moore Stevenson
UCLA Oral History Program
Gender equity? Maybe not …
Editor:
This is in response to the Feb. 24 news article, "Lack of female
faculty prompts inquiries." The university’s problem isn’t that it
lacks female faculty, but that it lacks professors who are able to
teach material in a comprehensive way. The only
"underrepresentation" at this university is that of top-quality
professors.
Please do not assume I am against female faculty members, but
I’m tired of hearing the terms "gender inequality" and "sexual
imbalance" when referring to faculty. I don’t care whether my
professor is male, female, black, white or whatever; but I do care
if he/she can teach. What the university should do is get rid of
underqualified faculty and bring in a skilled faculty to serve the
needs of the student population.
Just because a professor has a Ph.D. doesn’t mean that he/she
can educate students. How many times must a student sit through a
lecture and not understand the material, not because of the
student’s comprehensive abilities, but because the professor
sucks?
If the majority of good professors are male, then so be it. If
the majority of bad professors are male, then it’s time to
change.
George Lopez
First-year student
Mechanical Engineering
Renewing ties of yesterday
Editor:
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Daily Bruin
editor-in-chief Matea Gold at the first Daily Bruin Alumni Reunion
meeting Feb. 25, and want to convey my thanks for her expert
"indoctrination tour" of the Daily Bruin offices for us "old
timers." It brought back many fond memories of my Daily Bruin
tenure of the mid-’30s, when typewriters were "in" and computers
virtually unknown. But the spirit and camaraderie are the same, and
I felt that I once again belonged.
The journalistic spirit still courses through my veins (I have
done some freelance writing over the years) … I guess I’ll never
lose it.
Please extend my appreciation to members of the Daily Bruin
alumni who threw that great party Saturday at the Alumni Center. I
renewed more than a few (very) old acquaintances … it was warm
and wonderful and nostalgic. I hope there will be more.
Renewing the ties of yesterday helps strengthen the resolve of
today and makes us feel we are still a part of the action. If you
see fit to print this letter, please send me that Daily Bruin
 I like to feel I am still "on assignment" for the Daily
Bruin … after 60 years.
P.S. Keep up the good work!
Irv Gottschalk
The Daily Bruin,
Assistant Sports Editor, 1936
UCLA, Class of ’37