While those who wrote regarding your April 1 centerfold accuse you of contributing to a racist culture, I’d like to accuse them of contributing to a culture of fear. This fear culture is formed in part by those who wish to make everyone fit into an acceptable profile: open-minded, accepting, and afraid of offending with a remark that can be vaguely connected to an inappropriate thought.
Regina Stanback Stroud wrote that the centerfold paints an image of “the black male as a violent, immoral criminal.” Your centerfold played on cultural stereotypes, but from what I recall, didn’t make any sweeping generalizations about “the black male” being a pimp; rather, it made a statement about one black male being a pimp. Stanback Stroud creates a racist connection, and that is why I don’t think she’d be any fun at parties. More importantly, it was a joke that anyone who likes lame humor can appreciate (I did not appreciate it).
It’s a beautiful thing when a black man can pose as a cultural stereotype and laugh with white people because they understand that it’s ridiculous. The person who sees that as racist and attempts to persuade others to see it the same way contributes to a tense and nervous society that is at a constant risk of reaching its breaking point.
Anthony CruzStudent
I was never asked to comment on the grievance or any issues concerning the ASSC governing body. As a senator, there are five comments I would like to make.
Inadequate training of officers on the procedures of Robert’s Rules, the Brown Act, and the ASSC Constitution has hindered our capabilities as student leaders. Many members of the ASSC governing body, including myself, were inexperienced officers and, given the proper instructions and guidance necessary in becoming responsibly active leaders. Also, the fact that we are full-time students taking at least 12 units, while some of us work and take care of our families, adds to the dilemma. In addition, there have been many times where we received information regarding decision-making shortly before and even after deadlines. We have not been allowed the necessary time to discuss, analyze, research, inform, and organize the student body on pertinent issues we are faced with. Consequently, many uneducated decisions have been made and/or accepted.
In the article “Survey: About 2% of students know ASSC” of last week’s edition, it was stated that we spent thousands of dollars on out-of-state conferences. Since I have been in office, our council has attended one Leadership Conference, held in Atlanta. The reason we did not attend any local conferences is because, as far as I am aware, there were not any held where students met on a national scale.
As far as the students’ budget goes, I motioned that we post the budget for the students viewing, yet as the minutes show, it was voted against. No one has advised us to recruit a commissioner of finance, nor have we been encouraged to “pursue other outreach methods to students” (Amory Cariadus). Amory Cariadus, our adviser, has told us after we inquired that we had a beginning budget of approximately $100,000. But we have never been given any exact numbers.
There have been speculations that the Student Activities Office is the office for student government. The Students Activities Offices is not the office for the ASSC.
Now that I have made my comments concerning the ASSC issues discussed in the last issue of The Skyline View, I would like to address some barriers we as council members face in serving the students of Skyline College:
We need organized, continuous communication between the student body and ASSC. Also, delivery of information regarding decision making should be received by ASSC in a timely manner.
We need more office space in an area accessible to students, and we need accountability for the governing council and advisers.
We need more participation in student activities and responsibilities from the student body, more analytic and inquisitive minds, promotion and publicity, as well as manpower.
And last, but not least, a better deducation on rules and procedures for new officers.
Valerie Higgins ASSC Senator