e Chancellor sent out a mass e-mail stating, among other things, that the recent “Tacos and Tequila” party was “insensitive, thoughtless and … juvenile.” This statement stops short of calling these events what they were – blatantly racist.

The administration cannot expect to be taken seriously by students of color, women, LGBT students, etc. if they do not directly address our oppressions. Call racism what it is, sexism what it is, heterosexism what it is – don’t hide behind words that scold without any real meaning.

I am deeply disappointed by the administration’s complete lack of genuine commitment to the empowerment of oppressed communities on this campus and in this society. Diversity and “multiculturalism” are not enough – we must actively remove the systems oppressing us, especially those that are refusing to acknowledge the extent of our oppressions.

Kevin Cates

Senior in LAS