Thursday, April 25, 1996
Mad cowards
Editor:
As I made my way through Bunche Hall Monday morning, I came
across a disturbing flyer stapled to a bulletin board. The heading
read: "MAD COW DISEASE STRIKES UCLA." Below it were pictured three
women bearing placards that read: "Young Feminist Mobilizing,"
"Choice," and "UCLA Affirmative Action." I felt immediate revulsion
at both the contents and the producer of this disgusting piece of
sexist and racist propaganda.
Yet I cannot say I feel shocked. Increasingly, we see despicable
material such as the one I came across. Pete Wilson and his
cohorts, people in the media such as Rush Limbaugh and the popular
myth of the "oppressed white man" all contribute to a permissive
atmosphere in which attacks against minorities are not only
tolerated, but encouraged. Thus, no reasonable person can honestly
express surprise. Rather, the flyer represents but one more
instance of bigots flagrantly attacking those they see as
responsible for "destroying their society."
I ask the coward, or cowards, male or female, that produced this
offensive material to step forward. Despite your perverse desires
to the contrary, we are a democracy in which even depraved views
such as yours can freely be expressed. Why do you feel you have to
hide behind a mask of secrecy? Perhaps you know your views to be so
pathological that making them public scares you.
If your attempt was to be humorous, I suggest you seek
counseling. If, on the other hand, you thought that perhaps you
might scare us "uppity" women and peoples of color into silence,
you are absolutely wrong.
You did get one thing right: Feminists are in the forefront of
those who vehemently refuse to have their rights curtailed by
people such as yourself. No matter what retrograde idiots such as
yourself do, we will not allow reversal of the gains made. Whether
it be the racist and sexist anti-affirmative action California
Civil Rights Initiative, or even violent actions, we will not be
intimidated.
To those against nauseating actions such as that committed by
the maker of the flyer, I urge you to follow Marley’s words: "Get
up, stand up, don’t give up the fight."
Robinson A. Herrera
Graduate student
History
For shame, ASUCLA
Editor:
Last week, a coworker and I went to LuValle for an afternoon
coffee and were pleasantly surprised to see that ASUCLA had
introduced new "Grande" size beverages. I eagerly plopped down an
extra quarter to enjoy a Grande Ice Cappuccino Royale. Only upon
returning to the office did we notice that my "Grande," although
taller than the large, came in a cup much narrower than the
traditional large.
We then proceeded to do the "water test." Apparently, the new
20-ounce iced drink cups ARE THE SAME SIZE as the cheaper large
drinks. How many hot, thirsty Bruins have been ripped off in the
last week, may I ask?
Obviously, this is another chapter in the association trying to
trick their customers into thinking that the customers’ best
interests are at heart. I know I enjoy spending an extra 25 cents
(plus tax) for the same beverage I always drink.
David Avery
Staff, Institute for Social Science Research
Marilyn Hart
Staff, Institute for Social Science Research