Speaking out
By Daily Bruin Staff
Oct. 8, 1995 9:00 p.m.
Letter to the EditorSpeaking out
Editor:
Regarding the insert, "UCLA Speaks Out" printed Oct. 4, I wanted
to make
the following comments about the inclusion of my quote and
paragraph.
First, my full quote was, "I’m glad to know everyone stayed cool
about
it. I mean, it seems that everyone dealt with it more
constructively than,
say, the trials here two years ago."
By this, I meant that the exposure and discussion issues such
as
domestic violence, prejudice in the LAPD and what it takes to
get a quality
legal defense helped to raise people’s awareness. Specifically,
the forming
and speaking out of groups to these issues is a much better
reaction, I
think, than the violence and frustration seen before.
Also, I feel that my photograph shown next to the truncated
version of
my quote presented an attitude of sarcasm and, perhaps, even
racism that I
want to speak about. The picture captured my response to being
asked about
the O.J. trial, which is why I smirked, since it seemed that
everyone was
getting asked. However, my feelings about other people’s
responses to the
verdict were somber, not cynical.
As far as my opinion goes, I have reasons to sympathize with
many of the
opinions expressed on both sides about what the trial meant, but
that is
something I haven’t completely resolved for myself yet. Still, I
wanted to
try and address any frustration, apathy or anger my perceived
attitude may
have added to during this emotional time.Jeremiah Wintringer
Fourth-year
Philosophy/pre-women’s studies
