Racism at UCLA: Article 1

Just want to share an observation, nothing new in it, yet I want to leverage the position I have now, being a Bruin, being at UCLA where good things happen and shit happens too.

The blackface party that took place two days ago has now been more or less covered by the media after the concerted efforts of Black Bruins. But pay attention to the rhetoric in the titles of these articles and elsewhere.

‘Students upset …’ – sounds like it’s their problem. Why not instead focus on the perpetrator and not the ‘upset’ students? Here’s another take – ‘Fraternity and sorority accused …’, ‘UCLA fraternity, sorority criticized …’ or ‘UCLA fraternity, sorority under fire …’ – doesn’t it sound like there’s a lot of (potentially unfair) criticism here?

Why not lay out the facts – 'UCLA fraternity and sorority used blackface at a party' or 'UCLA fraternity and sorority are racist'? Some articles I found later today are kind of more straightforward about the situation but they’re not in the majority.

Another point is, before the media got their hands on the photos, there was a lot of ‘uncertainty’ as to whether it was true or not. I understand the need to confirm allegations with facts, yet it only works one-way. I don’t remember a situation where a white person’s statement wasn’t enough to kick-start some kind of a legal investigation, not to mention get an article published. When several black students reported what they saw first-hand – that of course is dubious, where are the pictures?

It’s not about UCLA. Just think about it, it’s a relatively small community, compared to a city, a state or the country. If such things happen here, and are portrayed this way, how come so many people don’t see that much more profound distortions happen on a bigger scale? The black community has been pointing out the difference in how the media reports on whatever it is that has to do with people of color from how it deals with their white counterparts, and not surprisingly according to this same logic these claims come across as dubious and unconfirmed (at best). Just open your eyes a little wider and look around!

I’m writing all this not because I expect too many people to change their minds, but because I want to leverage the privilege that this society has so generously vested in me – I’m white, apparently my words will sound more credible to many of you, so then behold: I’m here at UCLA, witnessing first-hand how one particular event (which by the way is one in a long line of similar ones) is being covered, and I’m telling you, it speaks volumes about the situation on campus and in the country. You will take me at my word now, won’t you?

‪#‎BlackBruinsMatter‬