Submission: Black students should not be told how to feel, react toward racism

Disclaimer: This is not a critique of Caterina Kachadoorian or those who agree with what she published in her Opinion submission Monday. Rather, it is a critique of the ideas and beliefs in that piece. Dear Caterina, How dare you tell Black people what’s wrong with Black America? How dare you tell outraged Black students […]

Submission: Afrikan Student Union should focus on problems within black community

There has been controversy over the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and Alpha Phi sorority “Kanye Western” themed party. The party allegedly promoted racism and cultural appropriation, with people dressed up in “baggy clothes, plumped lips and padded bottoms.” Although this party may have been mildly inappropriate, the way the Afrikan Student Union has reacted is […]

Submission: Greek community must stand in solidarity with black Bruins

Dear Black Bruins, I’m sorry for the “Kanye Western” party thrown by campus groups this week, and since they won’t write you a letter, I will. It was wrong, offensive and – to most of us – completely unacceptable. Our school must learn from this and ensure that it never happens again. It makes sense […]

UCLA must not abandon the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden

The Hannah Carter Japanese Garden was the first Japanese-style garden of its scale to be built in Southern California after World War II. When it was donated to UCLA, it was meant to promote East-West understanding as it did for me and my students so very long ago. I first visited the Hannah Carter Japanese […]

Submission: Individuals, not ‘society,’ must consciously reject rape culture

Editor’s note: The author of this submission has been left anonymous to protect their safety and privacy. I am a UCLA Bruin. I cheer my lungs out at the Rose Bowl, sit next to you in lecture halls, lift weights at the John Wooden Center and take naps in Powell Library. I’m just like any […]

Submission: Community would benefit from understanding late alum’s political views

Last week has seen the abrupt departure of one of Israel’s most famous Bruins, Moti (Mordechai) Kirschenbaum. The day before he died was his 76th birthday, which he celebrated with the viewers of his 7 p.m. daily show. Immediately after his death, Israeli social networks were filled with laudatory statements and expressions of grief by […]

Submission: UCLA leadership must better support underrepresented communities

Dear Chancellor Gene Block, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Scott Waugh and Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Jerry Kang: Ignited by the campus climate issues and incidents of the last few years, a group of staff, faculty and students came together to create a transparent space for concerned members of UCLA to engage […]