E-mail offends Class of 2008 senator
by Anya Bergman
News | 11/13/07
Posted online at 9:17 PM EST on 11/12/07
/ Last updated at 7:36 PM EST on 11/12/07
Lee wrote in his e-mail to Union members that Tanenbaum's remarks were personally offensive and indicated that the "club's inner elements are basically the same, and that all 'Africans' and 'African Americans' are the same, regardless of where they came from." Lee wrote that the African Club cannot be incorporated into BBSO because African American culture is very different from African, or black, culture.
Senator-at-large Andrew Brooks '09 said in a phone interview that he "was grossly offended by [Lee's e-mail]," calling it "completely racist" and "completely unmerited." Brooks said he asked Hasegawa about the email Nov. 5 and sent it to Tanenbaum, which was the first time Tanenbaum saw it.
"Apparently the email pretty much leaked and spread among various senior officers and became a bigger deal than I think Kamarin intended for it to be, so I called for a public apology," Brooks said.
Brooks said he and others who saw Lee's email met with Associate Dean of Student Jamele Adams last Sunday, and Brooks said Adams "felt a good discussion could result from this." Union Vice President Alex Braver '09 said Adams will also meet with involved students this week.
"I think this is a very personal issue and I am glad we're having these meetings this week to discuss this intensely," Braver said.
Brooks said he did not know who directly persuaded Lee to make a statement of apology at last Sunday's senate meeting, or whether Lee decided to apologize on his own.
In an e-mail to the Justice, Lee wrote, "At [the Senate] meeting, we had a productive discussion about what race means on our campus- something that we, as a legislative body, will continue to explore. I look forward to moving past this and working with my fellow Senators to best represent my constituents in the Senate."
Tanenbaum said that when representatives for the African Club came to the Senate meeting last Sunday night, they agreed with him although the club had a similar purpose to BBSO, the clubs are different in practice. He said the senate voted to charter the African Club based on those arguments by the African Club.
Tanenbaum said that Braver told the Union at the meeting that he didn't want this issue to be discussed and that they should probably table a resolution by Hasegawa asking for the Senate to reprimand Lee for his conduct, which they did. Tanenbaum said the tabling was followed by a discussion about the issue.
Senator-at-large Andrew Brooks '09 said in a phone interview that he "was grossly offended by [Lee's e-mail]," calling it "completely racist" and "completely unmerited." Brooks said he asked Hasegawa about the email Nov. 5 and sent it to Tanenbaum, which was the first time Tanenbaum saw it.
"Apparently the email pretty much leaked and spread among various senior officers and became a bigger deal than I think Kamarin intended for it to be, so I called for a public apology," Brooks said.
Brooks said he and others who saw Lee's email met with Associate Dean of Student Jamele Adams last Sunday, and Brooks said Adams "felt a good discussion could result from this." Union Vice President Alex Braver '09 said Adams will also meet with involved students this week.
"I think this is a very personal issue and I am glad we're having these meetings this week to discuss this intensely," Braver said.
Brooks said he did not know who directly persuaded Lee to make a statement of apology at last Sunday's senate meeting, or whether Lee decided to apologize on his own.
In an e-mail to the Justice, Lee wrote, "At [the Senate] meeting, we had a productive discussion about what race means on our campus- something that we, as a legislative body, will continue to explore. I look forward to moving past this and working with my fellow Senators to best represent my constituents in the Senate."
Tanenbaum said that when representatives for the African Club came to the Senate meeting last Sunday night, they agreed with him although the club had a similar purpose to BBSO, the clubs are different in practice. He said the senate voted to charter the African Club based on those arguments by the African Club.
Tanenbaum said that Braver told the Union at the meeting that he didn't want this issue to be discussed and that they should probably table a resolution by Hasegawa asking for the Senate to reprimand Lee for his conduct, which they did. Tanenbaum said the tabling was followed by a discussion about the issue.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 10
unknown
posted 11/14/07 @ 12:23 AM EST
Of course the African club is differnt from Brandeis Black Student Organization. Africans have their own culture and blacks in general have many differnt cultures based on where he or she comes from. (Continued…)
Spike, '01
posted 11/14/07 @ 1:27 PM EST
"Lee wrote that the African Club cannot be incorporated into BBSO because African American culture is very different from African, or black, culture."
So only blacks live in Africa now? I have to think the 7 million White Africans would have a very big problem with that statement. (Continued…)
Concerned Brandeisian
posted 11/14/07 @ 11:29 PM EST
Kamarin Lee's comment was, without a doubt, disgusting bigotry that should not be quickly forgotten with a quick apology. Not only does Lee impugn Tanenbaum for his religious and socio-economic standing, but he unfairly labels an entire group. (Continued…)
Alan Royals
posted 11/15/07 @ 11:21 AM EST
First of all, the quote attributed to Lee I believe was either misquoted or a statement of what the Senator of '08 was arguing. What Asher might have seen, taken from the purpose of BBSO:
"In addition to coordinating creative and relevant programs and educating the campus about the rich diversity of international Africana cultures, its goal is to contribute to the academic and political issues that impact people of African descent around the world. (Continued…)
Joseph Lingerfeldt
posted 11/15/07 @ 5:28 PM EST
Here are the two e-mails that sparked this controversy:
On Nov 1, 2007, at 10:53 PM, Asher Tanenbaum wrote:
During the Ways and Means meeting tonight we went over the clubs that are
coming to us this Sunday and for the African Club, we found some potential
dualities of purpose with the Brandeis Black Student Organization. (Continued…)
James Sanders
posted 11/15/07 @ 6:23 PM EST
It seems clear that based on past precedent set on this campus the senate needs to pass a resolution against this type of racism, Kamarin Lee needs to resign his position on the senate, Lee needs to get sensitivity training and find some way to make ammends to the many people his words hurt. (Continued…)
Joshua Brandfon
posted 1/04/08 @ 5:20 AM EST
Sure! And I'm for one who would say that we all go as a mob in Senate with pitchforks and torches and a noose and hang the guy, and burn him to death for a simple honest mistake!
Lee did apologize, and Tanenbaum accepted. (Continued…)
James Sanders
posted 1/12/08 @ 2:15 PM EST
Josh,
Chill...it was sarcasm...I don't really think we should do any of what I said in the last post, but rather was saterizing the reaction to similar incidents in the past when the shoe was on the other foot and the people that are on the defensive now were put on the offensive. (Continued…)
Count Chocula
posted 1/16/08 @ 1:45 AM EST
What can I say? Tattenbaum is a complete BLOKE. How can you tell someone that their beliefs are completely unnecessary? How can you tell the TYP Senator and others that they cannot feel the way they do? How dare you! You should definitely seek a reality check, because what has been going on isn't the real world, but just some conservative outlook inside of this bubble we are all in. (Continued…)
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