Campus Press

Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: News

Junior political science major Amie Ha speaks to CU students, faculty, and community members during a rally promoting diversity and tolerance outside the UMC on Wednesday. The rally, organized by students, was a response to two opinion pieces recently published in the Campus Press. (CP Photo/Scott Franz)

Students held a rally outside the UMC Wednesday afternoon to show unity in their opposition to two opinion articles recently published in the Campus Press that one speaker referred to as examples of "institutional racism."

The articles, entitled "If it's war the Asians want…" by assistant opinion editor Max Karson and "No hablo ingles" by staff writer Lauren Geary sparked outrage amongst CU students and faculty, leading to calls for the resignation of those involved in their publication.

"I find it to be hate speech," said UCSU Director of Diversity Affairs John Ali Sharza. "It's disturbing, disgusting."

Some students affected by the article voiced concerns for their safety, including David Chiu, a senior chemical engineering major.

"After this incident, I feel unsafe when I step on this campus," Chiu said.

A number of CU students, faculty and community members attended the rally, including UCSU Tri-Exec Charles Gilford and Aurora City Councilman Ryan Frazier.

During his speech, Gilford said he was happy to see that people of all races attended the rally.

"If you look around at each other, the makeup is different, and that is something that is beautiful," Gilford said.

Gilford said while most people agree that freedom of speech is an essential freedom, it was no excuse for the publication of the articles by Karson and Geary.



"Exercise your freedom of speech, but without infringing on others' freedom for the pursuit of happiness," Gilford said.

A letter from the editors of the Campus Press said Karson's article was meant as satire, and apologized for those who were hurt or offended by its publication. A separate letter was later published by editors who did not support the publication of the article.

"They have apologized, but an apology doesn't do much," said Bichchi Nguyen a sophomore integrative physiology major. "You have to show it by action."

Chiu said that satire or not, he found the article to be offensive.

Nguyen said the turnout of the event showed that the civil rights movement was still going strong through the students of CU.

Student demands were to be presented to the CU administration following the rally, though the they were not explicitly discussed during the rally.

"CU talks about increasing diversity," said Victor Marasa, a junior sociology and ethnic studies major. "But I don't feel that their actions have done much to solve the problem."

Sharza said he would like to see the editors involved be replaced.

All of the speakers at the rally encouraged those attending to stay involved with increasing diversity on the campus.

Chiu said ethnic intimidation and ridicule would not be tolerated and told students attending the rally to follow examples from the civil rights movement and engage in non-violent action.

Sharza called for a change in the campus culture to one of diversity.

Boulder City Manager Frank Bruno released a statement Wednesday afternoon regarding the article, saying that the city of Boulder supports CU's response to the incident. In his statement, Bruno said the controversy the article sparked was an indication of a need for an increased effort to promote diversity and acceptance of other cultures.

Jodie Carroll, communications coordinator for the city manager, said the city of Boulder stands behind CU's administration and their response to the racial concerns.

"CU is a part of our community, and we support CU and our community whenever they have concerns such as this one," Carroll said.

Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Stephen Oskay at Stephen.Oskay@colorado.edu.

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