Letters to the editor

Artwork should not be censored

I was shocked to read that the art of Jimi Hendrix’s
classic 1967 album “Axis: Bold As Love,” was censored
from Ackerman after complaints from “a few students”
(“Poster on display offends several,” News, Oct.
13).

While I understand the importance of cultural sensitivity, if
art was banned and removed every time someone complained about it,
we would be living in a far less interesting and beautiful world.
While one student suggests the artwork makes light of the Hindu
religion, perhaps this was Hendrix’s way of introducing the
philosophy and iconography of a religion that did not have exposure
to a wide audience in the 1960s.

I’m sorry if this classic artwork offends a few people,
but I have a suggestion ““ if it bothers you, stop looking at
it. Don’t take it away from the rest of us.

Adam Starr UCLA law student

Queer Alliance does support education

The ideas proposed in Suzanne Gorenfield’s letter (Oct.
11) regarding the alleged attacker of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender Resource Center misrepresents the Queer
Alliance’s stance regarding this same issue
(“Education, unity the best way to stop hate,” Oct.
5).

First, the Queer Alliance does in fact believe that education is
necessary for the convicted ““ an idea shared between the
Queer Alliance and Gorenfield. This resource, however, should be
provided by an off-campus source. The Queer Alliance believes that
continuing the suspects’ enrollment threatens all
students’ safety. Moreover, lenience in this case
communicates acceptance of hate in the future. This is
intolerable.

Ignoring the potential threat that the suspected attacker poses
shows a lack of insight.

Paymon Ebrahimzadeh Chairman, Queer
Alliance

Keep presidency for Americans

I read “Presidency should be open to all U.S.
citizens” (Oct. 7) and, while the author touched on valid
statements, I have to disagree with the overall point.

The presidency should not be open to naturalized citizens. As
someone who works for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service,
I see fraud in all kinds of cases.

And today, when America is most visibly under fire, especially
by people who are taught to despise our country and its politics,
it is not the time to consider naturalized citizens for the
presidency. The most clear danger I see, especially during our war
on terrorism, is that terrorists are willing to sacrifice their own
lives and, more importantly, are willing to wait.

While I support those seeking U.S. citizenship, I cannot and
could never support the idea of a foreign-born president for the
United States.

Genevieve Pick Former UCLA student