Black History Month goes wrong at UCSD
Staff Editorial
Brook Dailey
Issue date: 3/9/10 Section: Opinion
It all started with a really bad joke, if you could call it a joke.
At UC San Diego, where black students make up only 2% of the populace, it isn't a surprise that students are feeling a great amount of unrest regarding the current racial climate on campus.
It began with the "Compton Cookout" party, which encouraged partygoers to put on their best 'ghetto' garb in 'honor' of Black History Month.
Although the party went on without any immediate problems on the night of, the event grabbed the attention of national news after the Black Student Union of UCSD declared a racial state of emergency.
Although, some students voiced that the racial emergency and the laundry list of demands made by the BSU was melodramatic.
More specifically, a small student-run television program on UCSD-TV aired a KoalaTV segment (which had not been approved for airing) criticizing students who were upset with the party, calling black students 'ungrateful' while also using an offensive racial slur, stating that the party was held in their 'honor.'
So thanks Koala, you really smoothed things over.
At this point, speculation is running rampant with what the motive behind the events might have been. The racial insensitivity doesn't seem to be directly hateful; it's more like an irksome handful of individuals obsessed with staying in the limelight. Perhaps it is a desperate and failing act to be funny.
Once UCSD administration got wind of the TV segment, action was taken to shut down the publication and broadcast of the Koala.
The administration further went on to disrupt 33 other publications connected with UCSD. The only publication unaffected was the student run Guardian.
Although, it seems like a irrational and poor decision to shut down every other publication and a violation of the first amendment. The Koala has a bad rep for as long as it's been in circulation, but other legitimate and respectful publications should not be put on hold for the actions of a foolish one.
At UC San Diego, where black students make up only 2% of the populace, it isn't a surprise that students are feeling a great amount of unrest regarding the current racial climate on campus.
It began with the "Compton Cookout" party, which encouraged partygoers to put on their best 'ghetto' garb in 'honor' of Black History Month.
Although the party went on without any immediate problems on the night of, the event grabbed the attention of national news after the Black Student Union of UCSD declared a racial state of emergency.
Although, some students voiced that the racial emergency and the laundry list of demands made by the BSU was melodramatic.
More specifically, a small student-run television program on UCSD-TV aired a KoalaTV segment (which had not been approved for airing) criticizing students who were upset with the party, calling black students 'ungrateful' while also using an offensive racial slur, stating that the party was held in their 'honor.'
So thanks Koala, you really smoothed things over.
At this point, speculation is running rampant with what the motive behind the events might have been. The racial insensitivity doesn't seem to be directly hateful; it's more like an irksome handful of individuals obsessed with staying in the limelight. Perhaps it is a desperate and failing act to be funny.
Once UCSD administration got wind of the TV segment, action was taken to shut down the publication and broadcast of the Koala.
The administration further went on to disrupt 33 other publications connected with UCSD. The only publication unaffected was the student run Guardian.
Although, it seems like a irrational and poor decision to shut down every other publication and a violation of the first amendment. The Koala has a bad rep for as long as it's been in circulation, but other legitimate and respectful publications should not be put on hold for the actions of a foolish one.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Mark
posted 3/04/10 @ 11:38 PM PST
Oh! This is so racist! Where is the White History Month? Or the Asian History Month?
Please don't point the finger at "racism"...
Benito Juarez
posted 3/05/10 @ 9:23 AM PST
Racism begins with our families, parents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandparents, people we admire, respect and love.
However, as we grow and mature we come to the realization that what we were told by our family when we were children were slanted lies base on their prejudices. (Continued…)
eric
posted 3/05/10 @ 11:35 PM PST
Tired of hearing about these "racist" events
http://www.jiggaboojones.com/Compton_cookout_Final_Official_Statement_jiggaboo_jones.htm
http://www.youtube. (Continued…)
Benito Juarez
posted 3/10/10 @ 5:38 PM PST
June 4, 1977: An original poem composed for the 99th Commencement of Lake Forest College by Theodor Seuss Geisel (a.k.a Dr. Seuss). Eugene Hotchkiss III was president of Lake Forest College from 1970 to 1993. (Continued…)
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