Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Racism and Violence
As you all probably have seen by now, a UCLA student named Alexandra Wallace's supposedly "non-political and non-racist" rant on youtube. Racism in no way is really funny (although, I must admit hesitantly, I do laugh at my fair share of racist jokes). Moving on, Wallace's video has sparked so much outrage and media coverage that I just read an article about her on the NY Times. What's so surprising is not only the media coverage, but the severe backlash that she has gotten usually also in the form of violent, sarcastic/humorous, threats. Watch this video below to get a better sense of what I mean.
We all know the history behind racism and its volatile relationship with violence. The Rodney King riots were sparked directly as a result of police violence against a black motorist. Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr. not only had to combat police brutality, but mob brutality from American society. When issues as serious as race arise, there always seems to be some sort of violence that ensues. Despite the fact that Wallace stated the most ridiculous, racist, and tasteless comments (she even mentioned the tsunami/earthquakes in Japan), I think she deserves a second chance. She is already feeling the painful consequences of her actions from the media, those who have watched her video, and her peers at UCLA. Hopefully the outrage against her comments don't spark into violent acts.
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The guy does provide a comedic spin on this issue. Although this subject should not be taken lightly. According to this article:
ReplyDelete( http://www.socialtimes.com/2011/03/alexandra-wallace-apology )
the Chancellor of UCLA issued a personal response to the video, expressing his thoughts on the matter. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6feGp0GQVJ8)
It is rumoured she'll facing suspension and possibly expulsion due to her careless remarks over the internet. Not only this, Wallace also received several death threats due to her little exposé.
Miss Wallace has probably felt the sting of her actions by now and expressed her apology on DailyBruin.com. (UCLA's official news source) Like kevin, I believe she does deserve a second chance.
She does deserve a second chance, because we all do, but how insensitive does one have to be to make something like she did. That was a complete lack of judgment and you would think someone studying Poly/Sci at UCLA would understand how to avoid situations like this. I mean, anybody really, should understand the seriousness of this issue. Obviously she was just venting anger and frustration but the tsunami comment was really what took thing thing to the next level. To have no regard for human compassion, feelings, or lives like this is strictly uncalled for. Hopefully the media lightens up after her apology but this was cold-blooded from the start.
ReplyDeletewhat does everyone mean by a second chance? I dont think she should be expelled although i heard that she is leaving UCLA due to her notoriety. I really dont feel bad for her though. She put this video onto the internet. A public forum where she is fair game for everyone to basically rip into her. Yes that stinks that her life is ruined for the time being and shes being harassed but she brought it upon herself. She cant expect to say those things without some kind of backlash.
ReplyDeleteIt's remarkable that this girl thought it was a good idea to post this on the Internet. Having said that, I don't see the rationale in suspending or expelling her from school. What she said was stupid, incredibly so, but she doesn't present a danger to anyone. It is an affront to our American values of Libery and Democracy that this girl should face such reprocussions for this video. The First Ammendment protects dumb statements, even if they are offensively so.
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