World issues at least as important as focusing locally

The Undergraduate Students Association Council resolution is not
a document of empty words. It was designed to initiate dialogue
between two camps of students, bitterly divided in their
allegiances to the Arabs or Israelis. While the obvious faults of
each camp can be analyzed, I write to condemn the editorial
(Viewpoint, August 7) ridiculing the resolution in support of peace
between Lebanon and Israel.

The editorial states that USAC should only concern itself with
issues “that will affect the only community it can impact
““ UCLA students.”

The resolution directly addresses UCLA students in that they are
divided. With two ideological groups already established at UCLA,
it seems wise that the resolution was drafted ““ simply
because it has created a rift in student unity.

Critics look to the resolution as a document that boosts egos,
but they refuse to acknowledge that a surmounting humanitarian
crisis is crippling the region, affecting not only UCLA students
who had to flee the region, but their families and friends who
still reside in Lebanon facing attacks.

If USAC is to sit at a table and act on resolutions that do not
appeal to the student body, then it has failed those who voted for
that governing board and their concerns at UCLA. I applaud USAC for
not only recognizing that dialogue needs to be established on
campus, but also that UCLA should condemn any violation of human
rights.

The editorial undermines the power of the student body. While
humanity has been faced with many catastrophes ““ and some may
seem far too tremendous for any student to resolve ““ there
have always been movements on campus bringing awareness and even
divestment from atrocious centers that promote such crimes.

From the civil rights movement to divesting from apartheid South
Africa ““ issues that may seem well out of the grasp of
students ““ were actually affected because of students.
Perhaps these movements are a waste in the eyes of the editorial
board because instead students “could have planned ways to
work with state administrators to gain funding for campus
departments and keep student fees as low as possible.”

Bringing awareness and dialogue or raising money by various
groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine, Lebanese Social
Club and United Arab Society, demonstrate that this is an issue
UCLA needs to face.

I feel certain that awareness and a greater movement to bring
aid to the victims of this conflict will continue to gain momentum
throughout the year.

Sarsour is a second-year English student and member of the
Muslim Students Association.