Racism by UCLA Student Council

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

See this NYT article: [In U.C.L.A. Debate Over Jewish Student, Echoes on Campus of Old Biases](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/06/us/debate-on-a-jewish-student-at-ucla.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news)

Curious because I don’t post in this forum if anyone knows the racists who decided a) that questioning a student’s qualifications to serve on the Judicial Board because of her religion is appropriate and b) that voting against her because she is Jewish was appropriate. How in the name of heaven do people like that get on to the Student Council at a major university like UCLA?

2

This is awful and such questioning would not be acceptable if the person were black or gay or really any other demographic. The names of the four who discriminated against her entirely because of her religion have been released to the press and whatever it is worth, it is also stated that at least two are Muslim (again, for whatever that is worth):

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2015/02/23/ucla-students-jewish-background-questioned-during-vote-for-judicial-board/

3

And the leader is apparently from Switzerland, so we have 3 of the 4 no votes as Muslim and European racists.

4

I’ve never factored religion in to any college consideration before, but UCLA is off my daughter’s list on account of this. I am troubled by but can understand how students could go off the rails in this fashion, but it is unforgivable that the school administration has refused to respond in any fashion. My child and my tuition funds will NOT be going to UCLA, for certain.

5

This is, alas, the wave of the future. UC-Irvine, for example, has for years had serious problems with anti-semitism on campus, generally instigated by the large Muslim student group. However, “progressive” faculty have been known to join in on the feeding frenzy.

6

way to over-react and rob your child of the option. Sad

7

@dontcha It’s not overreacting at all.

Let’s say you were gay. Would want to pay a TON of money to go to a school that’s own student council is anti-gay? Where you are picked on because of who you are?

That’s the same thing that happened here, but no one wants to talk about it because anti-semitism is becoming so socially acceptable. I applied as a transfer for this year, coming from UCSB, and even if I get in, I won’t go. I don’t want to give 80+K to a school that doesn’t stand up for its students. It’s outrageous. @marylandmomoftwo has every right to choose not to send her child to UCLA. It’s a broken system that won’t be getting my money.

8

A school that doesn’t stand up for its students??? Not sure where that’s coming from; sounds like a similar bit of massive exaggeration.

The chancellor, who I disagree with frequently, released the following level-headed and honest statement: http://chancellor.ucla.edu/updates/holding-ourselves-to-a-higher-standard

The nominee was eventually confirmed.
A new measure repudiating anti-antisemitism was passed unanimously.

This is called diversity. These are called deep-seated issues.

9

There is a difference between diversity and outright hatred. How is it okay to even debate a qualified applicant’s validity based on their religion? Again, that’s not diversity of opinion. That’s anti-semitism. I’m glad the measure passed, but it doesn’t change the sentiment of the elected leadership, which reflects very poorly on the school.

I’m from another UC. I know from experience that schools don’t do nearly enough to protect against anti-semitism, compared to other minority groups. They “apologize” and “write letters” but there is no support.

10

Wow. First of all Judaism is not a race so this is in no way racism. Second of all the board was questioning her to make sure there were no conflicts of interests and to make sure that as a member of the Judicial Board she wouldn’t have a bias towards the Jewish community. I don’t see how this can even be classified as discrimination, especially since she was “unanimously” put on the board after a faculty advisor pointed out that there was no conflict of interest.

And not wanting to go to UCLA because of this? That is definitely a disproportionate response, but at least that increases my chances of getting in…

11

Look buddy. I didn’t say Judaism was a race. Discrimination against Jews is called anti-semitism. I didn’t name or start this thread. So that’s not really my point.

Anyways, it IS discrimination because even though she didn’t get unanimously rejected, she still didn’t get the job because of her religion. And the whole bit about 'unanimously putting her on the board" is bs. Of course with national attention they would have to act nice.

Using your logic, how is it okay to have multiple board members active in the Muslim community? Would they not have a “conflict of interest”? They support BDS, so is that not a “conflict of interest”? They would of course have a bias towards the Muslim community, as is evidenced in their original denial of this girl. Having a Jewish person would - heaven forbid - allow for both sides to be heard, and the current Muslim board members don’t want that. Instead - while knowingly being filmed - they openly questioned her ability to serve based on her involvement in Hillel and other Jewish Organizations. Not too bright.

Let’s put this in your terms. Say you are gay and are applying for a position on a committee that consisted of 2-3 homophobes, 4 bisexuals, and 6 heterosexuals who are neutral on the matter. You give a great application and interview, and then, to your face and on camera, the homophobes ask you “Given your sexuality, how can you be unbiased”? The appropriate rebuttal is “Given your homophobia, how can you be unbiased”, but you are in a taped interview, so you try and answer as best you can. The homophobes then lists all of the Pro-Gay organizations you are a member of or maybe in the leadership of. They call into question your ability to remain unbiased, when their own comments here are very biased. You leave, and they manage to make enough of a case against you that you don’t get the seat. Now, you find out that you were only rejected because you are gay, and you go to the press. With all of the attention, the board decides to eat humble pie and let you in. Not because they take back what they said, but because they need the spotlight off of their blatant homophobia. Sure, you have the seat and the school issued a statement, but has anything really changed? No.

Now, if you still don’t get why this is anti-semitism and discrimination, then I sincerely hope you stay out of politics. I don’t need an idiot running things.

And my choosing to not go to UCLA doesn’t help you get in, since, you know, applications have been in for quite a few months now. Even if you get waitlisted, I won’t be the bump that gets you in.

12

Again, if you think the jewish community at ucla is persecuted above and beyond what is experienced by other minority groups on campus, then there’s not much I can say.

Class of '12

13

@letmein2015‌ I’m an idiot? Well if you can’t have a civilized discussion without being consumed by emotion I don’t see how you would be a good addition to the UCLA family. If you wan’t to have a civil, objective debate using facts then I’d be glad to but you if you call me an idiot I don’t think you merit a response.