Ryan ChartrandDisappointed
As a newspaper that prides itself on relaying the truth, I am very disappointed in the Daily that there was no mention of the recent “hate crimes” on campus. I am also very disappointed in both the administration for their lack of response to this occurrence and in the residents of the on-campus crops house that carried this out. I don’t understand how a sign reading “No Niggers, No Fags, No Hippies” along with a noose and a Confederate flag can be adorned on campus without severe reprimand. Not only is it malicious, it makes our campus and community-at-large appear racist and ignorant. To those students who did such a thing, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Grow up! And shame on the administration as well.
Kate Mesman
Journalism sophomore
We deserve an apology
In light of the recent displays of racial tension on campus, I’ve decided that it is time I am completely forthright with you. Because I am a minority (being half black and half white) I would really appreciate it if everyone would racially segregate me. We could also get rid of the Black Theater class (TH 320), ENGL 382x (which is the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender in Media class- – doesn’t matter, it’s only open once a year) and, heck, the whole women’s studies department at this point is a complete waste.
Remember the incident last year with Smile and Nod? Did not an ethnic studies teacher point out their supposedly “minstrel” picture on a poster? If I remember correctly, the theater department took away all their shows and they apologized to the head of ethnic studies as well as the school as a whole. Well, ethnic studies teacher, where are you now? And women’s studies – where are you? LGBT – I think this is a call to action.
How dare this campus merely slap the wrists of these college students who think it is appropriate to stereotype and objectify their hard-working, equal counter parts. This isn’t just an attack racially but it’s our sexuality and gender that is at stake here too! This is an attack on diversity – one of Cal Poly’s “founding” philosophies. I don’t want an email telling me these students apologized; I want to hear it. I pay more than $17,000 like everybody else on this campus and I want to hear my deserved apology.
Chelsea Brown
Theater senior
Prejudice and mistrust
Reports of two student parties recently held at Cal Poly’s Crops House contained allegations of a sign displaying racial epithets and other derogatory language, as well as the presence of other questionable materials.
We are investigating details of these incidents and meeting with students involved. We, as department and college leaders, wish to express our dismay over these reprehensible incidents.
As members of the larger university community, we found the incident reports disturbing and completely counter to the principle of civil discourse which the college and university try to impart to all our students.
CAFES has often been described as the friendliest college at Cal Poly, for good reason. The vast majority of our students are responsible, hard-working, ethical young people, with respect for different points of view.
The potential harm to our Horticulture and Crop Science Department, CAFES, and university from these incidents should not be underestimated. Our supporters expect us to provide well-rounded graduates with a global perspective to fuel the state’s workforce. These supporters include current and prospective students, their parents, alumni and friends, our donors and employers who hire our graduates.
We would like to assure our stakeholders that the Horticulture and Crop Science Department, CAFES and Cal Poly strongly endorse the values of tolerance, inclusiveness, and respect for all people.
John Peterson, Wyatt Brown, John Phillips, David Headrick, David Hannings, Michael Costello, Jeff Wong, Virginia Walter, Keith Patterson, Dan Lassanske, Terry Vassey, Lauren Gardner
Horticulture and Crop Science chair and faculty
EDITORS’ NOTE: There is some dispute about the phrase “No niggers, no fags, no hippies” referenced in various opinions submissions. Although word has spread around campus and local media implied that this phrase was publicly displayed, further conversations with the crop science students show that this may not have been the case. The Mustang Daily does not condone this language, but has republished it for clarification purposes.