by Zahra Bhaiwalla
I hate you I hate you I hate you
And I want to erase you
Chase you down
Just like you did
To me.
Sometimes I wish I could hunt you kill you fry you
I just wish you could fly away
From my mind my waking eye my
Entire life.
GO AWAY.
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In the most recent update on the alleged hate crime that happened on Sunday, May 5th, Columbia’s Asian American Alliance sends out a response:
Columbia Asian American Alliance
Statement on Alleged Hate Crime
May 9, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Updated 4:24 PM
According to several news sources, an alleged hate crime occurred on Columbia University’s campus involving a number of Columbia students on Sunday, May 5, in which one student, a Black male athlete, allegedly called another, an Asian male, racial slurs and pushed him against a wall. As a consequence of the incident, the suspect faces criminal charges.
Columbia’s Asian American Alliance (AAA), along with a number of student leaders from across campus, have submitted statements to the Columbia University administration regarding our concerns and urging the university to take action. Furthermore, a number of us have met with members of the administration to discuss these concerns and urge the administration to act accordingly. We are thankful that the administration has been very responsive to our needs and are hopeful that they will continue to address the situation in a timely and thoughtful manner.
We are deeply concerned about the environment maintained on our campus. This is not an isolated event, nor should the perpetrator of this incident be treated as an anomaly. The fact that this incident occurred points to a systemic culture of hateful speech and action on Columbia’s campus, of which this incident is merely the latest manifestation.
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UPDATE: Columbia’s administration released two more statements, one from the OMA and one from Athletics. Their responses follow KevSho’s:
In case you missed it, on Sunday, May 5, there was an incident of anti-Asian hate crime on Columbia’s campus. A few minutes ago, Columbia’s administration responded with the following statement:
Dear students,
As educators and leaders of a diverse learning community, we are deeply concerned when racism, sexism, homophobia and incivility—whether in words, actions or posts of any kind—target individuals or groups. Such behavior violates our Community Principles:http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/comdev/principles.
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Boys Love Sean Carter: A Response to Drake’s “Girls Love Beyonce”
By Taylor Harvey
As if the title isn’t enough of a generalization, Drake sings an albeit catchy, but lonely love song inspired by Destiny’s Child’s big hit “Say My Name.” As in his usual way, Drake sing-raps on this soulful track with conflicted sentiments, as someone who wants companionship with a woman, but doesn’t really trust ANY woman because he knows ALL women because ALL women are the same (i.e they all love Beyonce.) i’m definitely exaggerating the content of this song, but after listening, I thought it would be cute to respond back with similar generalizations about men, and why I wouldn’t necessarily trust them. Hope you enjoy this, and your last real week of school!
https://soundcloud.com/taylorsimone/boys-love-shawn-carter
Monday, April 29
Tuesday, April 30
- 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Pool Party! Barnard Pool,
- 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm. P.C. Talks: Emotional Health. The Intercultural Resource Center (IRC), 552 W. 114th St.
Wednesday, April 31
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By Maya Nair Noonan
I am often asked how sexual violence prevention “became my issue”, and how I became so passionate about it. I never really know what to say, because to me sexual violence response is not just another “issue” – it’s a fundamental and a deep-seeded problem that threatens the safety and health of everyone across the world. All too often I hear, “Well you’re a woman so of course you’re interested in this stuff”, or “something must have happened to you if you’re so passionate about ending sexual violence.” These are perfect examples of how sexual violence prevention and response work gets pigeonholed as just a “women’s” or a “survivor’s” issue, and these labels contribute to a widespread underestimation of the impact that sexual violence has on all of us.
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http://www.change.org/petitions/columbia-university-acknowledge-lenape-territory
Petition from Native American Council (NAC) of Columbia University:
“For Alma Mater on the Hudson Shore,” we ask Columbia University to fund a plaque on the Morningside Heights campus acknowledging the Lenni Lenape people to whom we owe a debt by virtue of our sitting, standing, and learning on lands that were originally theirs.
Founded in 1754 as King’s College by Royal Charter of George II, Columbia University in the City of New York has had a rich and prosperous history as one of the oldest and most illustrious institutions of higher learning in America.
Through the Core Curriculum and with a stated commitment “to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world,” Columbia stands at the forefront of globally conscious and civically responsible education. Columbia demands that its students, faculty, and administration reflect upon and improve their world.
However, it is our contention that with respect to its own history, the University has done so incompletely. This campus has many statues, monuments, and plaques celebrating a colonial heritage and legacy but neglects to mention the first inhabitants of this land.
Using the name “Columbia” and King’s Crown imagery, the University already implicitly acknowledges the fact that the school has prospered because of a colonial legacy that entailed the persecution and removal of the original owners of this land—the Lenni Lenape people. The Lenape were the victims of disease, warfare, dishonest agreements, and destructive policies. They now mostly live on reservations in Ontario, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma, vast distances away from their homeland.
In light of this history and in keeping with the University’s commitment “to advance knowledge,” we believe our alma mater has a responsibility to acknowledge its debt to the Lenni Lenape people.
Sign the petition here.
This Saturday is the New York City Asian American Student Conference (NYCAASC), a fantastic FREE one day conference planned by college students across New York dedicated to promoting awareness of Asian Pacific American issues and history.
There’s a great lineup of workshops and speakers— check out the website for more info.
Registration ends TODAY!
http://www.nycaasc.com/home.html#home
quick thoughts from the Intercultural Resource Center’s own Alexis Martin on why she supports divestment (and why you should too):
Because TIAA-CREF calls its investments ‘for the greater good’ while investing in companies which actively and systematically oppress, police, disenfranchise, forcibly relocate, and kill Palestinians.
Because US-owned companies are complicit in the occupation of Palestine, and our university is helping to fund it.
Because universities have always been a source of social change, and as students and professors , we are in a privileged position to help enact that social change.
Because we are not post-colonial.
Because as a queer woman of color who is a US citizen, I refuse to sit idly as this country and this university continue to profit from suffering in Palestine.
Take Action:
Barnard College and Columbia University Faculty to Hold Press Conference TODAY to Call on TIAA-CREF to Divest from Israel’s Occupation
When: Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at 12:00 PM EST
Where: Jed D. Satow Room, Lerner Hall, Columbia University
between 114th and 115th st.
for more information:
https://www.facebook.com/events/530444890331093/530444893664426/?notif_t=like
Alexis Martin is a member of SJP and a resident of the Intercultural Resource Center
*The views expressed are the author’s alone and are not intended to represent the opinion of the Intercultural Resource Center, its residents, or the Office of Multicultural Affairs
Wednesday, April 24
Thursday, April 25
Friday, April 26
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