I was visiting my grandmother in Buffalo when we found ourselves stopped at a major intersection, her behind the wheel, squinting ahead. “Tell me when the light turns green,” she said to me in her sweet, grandmotherly voice. I laughed and stared at her; surely she had to be joking. Why would she be driving […]
Author Archives: Jed Levine
Tolerating intolerance of 'tolerants' is tough
How tolerant can we be of those who are intolerant of us? Last week, I wrote a satire (“A modest proposal for an immodest proposition,” Oct. 10) that received a bit of attention, especially from those who believed my racist proposition, based on Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal,” to be an honest one. The fallout […]
A modest proposal for an immodest proposition
Over a hundred students gathered in Meyerhoff Park last week to express discontent with the University of California admissions policy. Protestors chanted such slogans as, “UC Regents, I see racists,” and criticized UCLA for not doing enough to increase diversity. But they missed the point entirely. Why focus on the “racist” UC Board of Regents? […]
U.S. government not perfect model for all
As tanks rolled into the streets of Bangkok last week, anti-Thaksin protestors cheered the ends they had achieved. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, rocked by accusations of corruption and calls to step down in recent months, had been ousted from power while abroad speaking to the United Nations. But as the tanks rolled through the capital, […]
Continuing the undocumented journey
Two-year-old Armando Contreras lay asleep in the backseat with his 1-year-old brother as they drove through the Tijuana border point in 1986. Officials checked identification for his aunt and uncle in the front seat, who told the officials that Contreras, now a fourth-year Chicana/o studies student, and his brother were their children. His aunt and […]
Coalition of students rallies for recognition of genocide
UCLA students, along with Armenian students from across Southern California, came together with the Armenian community Saturday night for “Blinded by Injustice: Rally Against Denial” to remember those who were killed in the 1915 Armenian Genocide and campaign for international recognition. Today marks the day of remembrance for the genocide that began 91 years ago […]
[War in Iraq: Three Years Later]: Group promotes unity between Muslim sects
When a man raised his hand to ask what was the difference between Sunni and Shiite Muslims, fourth-year communication studies student Faryal Humkar was taken aback. She was surprised because the event she was hosting was not an information session about Islam for non-Muslims. Rather, it was the first meeting of Salaam Youth Group, which […]