Coalition should move on to bigger things

Friday, May 15, 1998

Coalition should move on to bigger things

POLITICS: Efforts need to target upcoming state elections, not
Carnesale

By Anthony Danna

Kandea Mosley’s attack on Chancellor Albert Carnesale is
seriously misguided. The Affirmative Action Coalition and Mosley
would be better off focusing their energies upon California
at-large. As student body president of one of the most respected
public universities in the nation, Mosley’s "power and influence
extends beyond the manicured lawns that enclose UCLA and into the
domain of local, state and national legislative bodies." Yet,
Mosley and the Affirmative Action Coalition have chosen to focus
their efforts on Westwood. They fail to see the bigger picture.

We are in the midst of an election campaign – a time when issues
are raised and discussed by candidates for office at all levels.
Mosley and her colleagues in Kerckhoff Hall could use their
influence and power to force political candidates to address the
effects of SP-1 and Proposition 209 on the University of
California. Marches and rallies on campus do nothing to change the
system. Student voices and power would be most effective on a
higher level.

While Mosley piddles around campus, candidates like Dan Lungren
and Darryl Issa are gaining steam and furthering an agenda far more
conservative than that of Gov. Pete Wilson. Mosley and the
Affirmative Action Coalition are working to place an initiative on
the ballot that would restore affirmative action at the university
level. If enough signatures are collected, that initiative will be
on the ballot during the next cycle of state wide elections. It
stands no chance of passing if a Republican sits in the state house
in Sacramento.

For those of us who believe in affirmative action, Carnesale
should not be seen as the problem. The problem is much larger and
must be addressed at that level. I would have been proud if
Carnesale stood up to the regents and decided not to enforce the
law; however, it was best for him and for UCLA to take the path he
did.

The consequences of breaking the law are greater than one might
think. Let us not forget that the chancellor is replaceable. It
would be very easy for the regents to appoint a chancellor who
looks and acts like they do. Unlike the members of the UC Board of
Regents, the chancellor is not a member of the power elite. Like
many students at UCLA, he grew up in a working-class neighborhood
and attended public schools. From what I have seen and read, I
truly believe the chancellor supports affirmative action and values
diversity. If we didn’t have Carnesale, who would we have?

Let us be realistic. If Carnesale were dismissed for ignoring
the law, UCLA might end up with a second-rate leader as a
replacement. Carnesale is a first-rate leader and academic. It is
only fitting he lead a first-rate university like UCLA. I highly
doubt that any replacement would defy the regents and embrace
affirmative action in this political climate. As students, we
should work to change the political climate. Our cries for justice
and equality need to echo beyond the hills of Westwood. I urge
Mosley and the UCLA Affirmative Action Coalition to direct their
efforts accordingly.