Letters

Youth: be weary of new liberalism I wish to say
that I totally agree with the opinions of Andrew Jones regarding
liberal bias in universities (“Campus
suppresses “˜right’ education,” Daily Bruin,
Viewpoint, Oct. 31). Even 40 years ago, when I was in graduate
school at the University of Texas, Austin, I found the
“conservative” view to be in the minority, but I must
say that none of my most liberal professors shared the
anti-American views that I have seen attributed to professors
recently. The old-fashioned liberalism I knew has been replaced by
a new, intolerant view that now dominates the liberal arts colleges
and which stifles all dissent. They have turned education into
indoctrination ““ alienated students from their root values.
Only the good sense of most undergraduates, who refuse to take
professors for the prophets they profess to be, limits the harm
they do. I can only hope that more youngsters will listen to Jones
and that conservative professors at universities will get off their
asses, stop bemoaning the drop in their equities, and tell their
radical colleagues where to go (Canada, perhaps?).

John Schuh Lake Dallas, TX

Conservative voice is a welcome one
Congratulations to Andrew Jones on his incisive, clear and timely
column on the pitiful state of American campus faculty and
administration (“Campus
suppresses “˜right’ education,” Daily Bruin,
Viewpoint, Oct. 31). His key phrase, “informed
dissent,” is what is so lacking in the various so-called
“teach-in” and “forum” farces held by
liberal faculty, the majority of whom, I am ashamed to say, are
aging, hippie relics of my own (baby-boomer) generation. They foam
at the mouth mindlessly repeating their Vietnam-era bumper sticker
slogans, then retreat to their coffee houses and pat each other on
the back. I have no problem with vigorous debate in the classroom,
but it is clear that this is not what these people are seeking.
When criticized, they whine “censorship!” and blather
on about the First Amendment. Apparently, their understanding of
free speech includes their own right to spew this vacuous blather
free of any alternative view. I am proud of Jones; his work is
important. Intellectual bravery is rare on college campuses, and
his courageous dissent is special.

Bob Cavalli Richmond, VA

Conservatives not treated equally Amen
to Andrew Jones’ article (“Campus
suppresses “˜right’ education,” Daily Bruin,
Viewpoint, Oct. 31). I am a fourth-year graduate student, a
conservative Christian and a Sunday school teacher. I keep my
politics to myself around most students and all of the faculty
because we both know that saying that I voted for George W. Bush
and that Bill Clinton is a moral pervert could inexplicably affect
my progress. Tolerance and free speech are Orwellian in the liberal
mind. Tolerance means active promotion of perversion and free
speech means that it’s OK to engage in hate-speech
against white males, Christians, conservatives and smokers. To
Jones, I say: keep spreading the truth.

Tom Graves Williamsville, NY

Race should not be admissions factor I have to
admit I was floored by Sophia Smith’s wonderfully nuanced
piece of writing in Viewpoint (“Students
should pay heed to proponents of affirmative action,”
Daily Bruin, Nov. 1). Apparently, my naive belief in my own merit
was unfounded and caused by my “white blindness.” But
wait … I’m only half-white ““ would that make it
“half-white blindness?” You see, while I recognize that
cultural background has a huge impact on an individual’s
experience, I’m wondering when we are going to realize that
one cannot judge a person’s circumstances based on the color
of their skin. Or that every human’s individual perspective
is exactly that ““ a unique viewpoint. Funny how when I look
at the world, I don’t see it in terms of the Vietnamese or
Italian or Slovak perspective, but rather by my perspective shaped
by my own life. Life experiences and disadvantages should
definitely be taken into account in the admissions process; the
danger lies in that there is a tendency for proponents of
affirmative action to see them as valuable in and of themselves.
The true merit is in how the people that experience particular
situations surmount them and in how they develop through them. Thus
to truly level the playing field, we need to evaluate how
individuals perform in light of their circumstances ““ instead
of automatically marginalizing the experience of those who grew up
in relative wealth while exalting those who were raised under less
propitious environments. I could expound on the matter further, but
I really just want to say that I’m actually proud to be a
Bruin. The university may or may not be misguided, but it is aware
of the importance and the controversy of this issue. While I may
disagree with proponents of affirmative action, they are not
“buffoons” or “dumb” and I respect their
opinions. I would appreciate it if they would extend that same
respect to my ideas. But wait … maybe I don’t deserve it.
After all, my alleged intelligence is nothing … I’m only
here because of my “huge wallet” right?

Jo Marie Tran Janco Second-year English and
neuroscience

Smith overlooks entirety of anti-affirmative action
debate Sophia Smith’s article on the subject of
affirmative action should be considered an insult to anybody who
actually takes the argument seriously (“Students
should pay heed to proponents of affirmative action,”
Daily Bruin, Viewpoint, Nov. 1). Smith attacks those who
don’t stop to listen to those who are pro-affirmative action
as being ignorant. I have a sneaking suspicion she did not research
the opposition’s views. Instead we are treated to a series of
attacks on our intelligence (11 by my count) for disagreeing. The
only offering of the anti-affirmative action case is that of
“reverse discrimination,” which Smith beats silly,
ignoring all other arguments. In all seriousness, many of us
disagree on the issue for reasons deeper than she implies. The last
thing we need to hear in a serious debate is the whining of a
dogmatic victicrat. Many of us who are anti-affirmative action are
well aware of the fact that there is an uneven playing field; we
just differ on how it should be treated. I for one don’t
believe college is the point at which to rectify any social
inequity. Life experience is valuable, but doesn’t
necessarily translate to someone being a good student. I would much
rather see a more progressive series of efforts in lower levels of
education than what appears to be a stop gap measure. I don’t
feel that that makes me dumb, just of differing opinion. Despite
what Smith thinks, we are not all ensured an easy entry into
college based on our race or social class. I as well as many others
suffered through full-time jobs, and transferred in from community
college. That didn’t happen because of my race or class but
my priorities and my drive. I don’t take what I have for
granted because I did earn it. If Smith has some misgivings and
some self doubt related to her worth, then that’s her own
issue. If she’s ashamed of being a Bruin, well I can’t
blame her, I’m a little ashamed of her too.

Kyle Beckley Fourth-year Political science