“… ‘Because the administration has been unwilling to properly address institutional racism and interpersonal racism at Yale, Next Yale has spent hours organizing, at great expense to our health and grades, to fight for a University where we feel safe,’ one of the student leaders read from a prepared statement to Salovey. ‘Next Yale intends to hold Yale accountable to its students of color in the public eye.’” …
New terms: “interpersonal racism” and “Next Yale.”
I would just like to know when anyone governing body in this country decided that its acceptable to negotiate with terrorists? That’s is exactly what we are doing when we submit to the demands of these students. Should they have a platform to voice their concerns? Absolutely! However, they should never have the power to demand the removal of any person within the institution. What happened to our judicial system? This entire process has been completely one sided. Why are the Universities caving to their demands? OMG Stand up and fight back!
As the President himself said, the students presented their demands in a very respectful way. And like all demands, they will require negotiation and not all will be met. This is how they will learn how the real world works - and isn’t this a lesson we want them to learn. One of the demands in particular - more money for the Cultural Centers - is one that alumni of color have bought to the forefront front long before this latest situation. When I went back to Yale for my 30th reunion in 2012, it was disheartening to see the state of the Afro American Cultural Center. When my daughter became a freshman in September 2014, it hurt my heart that the “House” was not as dear to her and as central to her Yale experience as it was to mine. We called for the ouster of the then House Director and are quite please with the direction the House is going under new management. An infusion of funds is sorely needed and would show that Yale is committed to something that it students say are important to their quality of life at the school.
I continue to speak to my D to ensure that she is okay. She’s a tough cookie because I taught her to roll with the punches and keep it moving. We do not believe in a victim mentality. But I also taught her to stand up for herself and her fellow students. Which she is and will continue to do.
Yale is extremely proud of its student activism. Sorry but your “terrorism” term is utterly indefensible and abhorrent to Yale. President Salovey is committed to having dialogue, to his credit – and isn’t swayed by fear-mongering and ill informed outsiders’ passing breaths.
I agree 100% that the term “terrorist” is strong and perhaps even incorrect. However, they way the Yale student presented herself (“Then why the **** did you accept the position?! Who the **** hired you?! …) was equally strong. However, when she makes those foul statements its considered her right to Freedom of Speech. Yet, when I say it its utterly indefensible and abhorrent.
That’s my point. This is all very one sided. As I’ve stated before these students are entitled to speak their minds. However, this young woman presented herself in a manner that is anything but well mannered, professional, and educated. Thats shameful. And to me, that indefensible and abhorrent to Yale.
My son’s fraternity is 30% Jewish. I am Bavarian. They had a lederhosen party. Should we shut the college down if my demands for Dutch food standards, German beer purity law and a college fleet of Bavarian vehicles are not met? Am I deranged for enjoying Mel Brooks’ assault on the homeland? When these kids start paying taxes … all will be forgotten.
If I’m ever in the position of issuing a list of demands, I’m going to consult a PR professional before doing so. I’d like to avoid the pitfall of almost all such lists, which is the inclusion of absurd or over-the-top demands, which makes the whole list seem absurd, even if some of the things on the list are sorely needed. There’s a big difference, in my mind at least, between seeking more money for the cultural houses and seeking a monument on Cross Campus recognizing that the land was stolen from indigenous people. It shows that the list of demands was written by a committee that included everybody’s pet demand. All that being said, so far I like the way Salovey is responding to the situation.
I actually have a bit of inside information on the Yale letter. It was written by a select group of insiders, and presented as a fait accompli to the larger community of supportive students. Just show up at the march, and trust us to create the list of demands. I won’t comment further as I don’t want to get involved, or to provide any more details, but there is dissent even within the supportive community.
@hzhao2004 While it would be rude in most circumstances, I would imagine President Salovey saw it as just a part of his job as the leader of Yale – including those students. He didn’t complain about being inconvenienced. I don’t think our standards of “rudeness” as private individuals don’t equate with his. Don’t get angry about something that doesn’t exist…
Oh for God’s sake. I’m rather tired of this argument. Plenty of people who aren’t terrorists make demands. I demand that the new car I drive be free of defects that could kill my family or cost me thousands, that the food I buy in the store not be full of poison, that the police do their best to protect me and not infringe on my civil rights, that I not be killed by them if I am not endangering them or someone else…we make all kinds of demands, but even more importantly, most of us don’t NEED to make these demands because those needs mostly get met without us having to. This “demands are for terrorists” nonsense is just dumb.
We don’t always get what we demand (or expect) but the assumption is that if it is a reasonable demand - like that the food we buy not be poisoned, for example - that we should get it and there should be consequences if we do not.
What we see here is a difference of opinion about what is a reasonable demand and what is an unreasonable demand.
@T26E4 As the father of an Asian American student at Yale, I am very sympathetic to these students’ demands, and I find Erika Christakis’ email very inappropriate in her capacity as Associate Master. I just feel their behavior is counter productive to their cause. It felt to me like an intimidating mob scene. Why couldn’t they wait until next day to go to President Salovey’s office? Given the current situation and what has been going on on other campuses, I don’t think President Salovey has any choices other than being accommodating to these students beyond call of his duty.