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OP-ED: Exercise social ideals, not egos
by Kamarin Lee
Op-Ed | 11/20/07
Posted online at 4:47 PM EST on 11/21/07
/ Last updated at 7:05 PM EST on 11/21/07
I'd like to speak to recent concerns expressed regarding an e-mail I authored and its contents. I'm writing to explain and express my understanding of the course of events and the controversy in general.
When Class of 2008 Senator Asher Tannenbaum questioned the distinction between the Black Student Organization and the African Club, I wrote a personal e-mail to a few individuals. I considered friends to express my reaction to the ignorance I perceived implicit in Asher's email. Class of 2009 Senator Yuki Hasegawa received my e-mail, and he drafted and submitted a formal resolution to the senate for a vote to reprimand me for statements I made in my e-mail.
Since the eruption of this situation, I have been anxious to clarify the distinction between my emotional and reactionary expressions in private conversation and any
malicious intent that may have been inferred by others.
Upon learning that individuals took offense to my email, I immediately made personal apologies to them, expressing both privately and then publicly my regret that they took offense to my words, and expressed my willingness to engage them in constructive discussions with the help of Associate Dean of Student Life Jamele Adams.
In expressing my concern that another senator's e-mail exhibited apparent ignorance and lack of cultural or racial understanding, I authored an e-mail which admittedly did the same. These expressions and interpretations warrant interpersonal communication. This dialogue should be open, honest, direct, positively intentioned and cooperative. Additionally, reserving judgment, offering the benefit of the doubt and ensuring mutual respect are earnest attitudes that should be adopted.
However, individuals have lost sight of these common principles, and this has unnecessarily escalated and transposed the situation into an environment not conducive to its proper resolution. This has encouraged polarization and reactionary controversy instead of calm, reasonable and unifying solutions.
When Class of 2008 Senator Asher Tannenbaum questioned the distinction between the Black Student Organization and the African Club, I wrote a personal e-mail to a few individuals. I considered friends to express my reaction to the ignorance I perceived implicit in Asher's email. Class of 2009 Senator Yuki Hasegawa received my e-mail, and he drafted and submitted a formal resolution to the senate for a vote to reprimand me for statements I made in my e-mail.
Since the eruption of this situation, I have been anxious to clarify the distinction between my emotional and reactionary expressions in private conversation and any
malicious intent that may have been inferred by others.
Upon learning that individuals took offense to my email, I immediately made personal apologies to them, expressing both privately and then publicly my regret that they took offense to my words, and expressed my willingness to engage them in constructive discussions with the help of Associate Dean of Student Life Jamele Adams.
In expressing my concern that another senator's e-mail exhibited apparent ignorance and lack of cultural or racial understanding, I authored an e-mail which admittedly did the same. These expressions and interpretations warrant interpersonal communication. This dialogue should be open, honest, direct, positively intentioned and cooperative. Additionally, reserving judgment, offering the benefit of the doubt and ensuring mutual respect are earnest attitudes that should be adopted.
However, individuals have lost sight of these common principles, and this has unnecessarily escalated and transposed the situation into an environment not conducive to its proper resolution. This has encouraged polarization and reactionary controversy instead of calm, reasonable and unifying solutions.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 19
Neil Simpson
posted 11/26/07 @ 3:53 AM EST
It's very upsetting to see the number of people who wish to perpetuate this manner. I would like to see some action taken against Tannenbaum himself, since Lee wasn't the only one who should be at fault in what was said. (Continued…)
James Sanders
posted 11/26/07 @ 11:01 AM EST
"This has encouraged polarization and reactionary controversy instead of calm, reasonable and unifying solutions."
Why weren't you saying this during the other "incidents" such as the Gravity incident of last semester? My guess. (Continued…)
Jacob Robinson
posted 11/30/07 @ 12:50 PM EST
I must say that I find Kamarin Lee's response to Asher Tannenbaum's editorial a demonstration of the maturity that each Senator ought to have. It's shown here that Lee took full control of the situation, but there's always people like Tannenbaum and Brooks who would get away with a thing such as this. (Continued…)
A moderate
posted 12/05/07 @ 6:19 PM EST
Get a grip! Tannenbaum did and wrote nothing wrong. He simply questioned incorrectly but with no malintent that two clubs overlapped in their purpose. (Continued…)
Anti-Gravity?
posted 12/11/07 @ 11:45 PM EST
Can Gravity say it had its ad taken out of context?
It's amusing that Kamarin Lee still feels it was okay to say what he said -- note that his only apology was that it got out to the public. (Continued…)
Alan Royals
posted 12/17/07 @ 3:34 PM EST
Thank you to "Inconvenient Truth" who was willing to educate us foolish non radical liberals and our simple ways. Remember- it's only indoctrination if you disagree with the message. (Continued…)
Robbie Davies
posted 12/23/07 @ 3:27 AM EST
Alan Royals, I must say that I find your last comment to be quite bigoted itself.
Although I cannot say that I agree with any of the terms that define the word "racist," I do understand the opposing sides here. (Continued…)
An Idiot's Response
posted 12/24/07 @ 5:13 AM EST
Senators,
I am unable to make the meeting this week and so I write to you to share my thoughts on two pieces.
First, the attempt to censure. The accusation is very serious. (Continued…)
An Idiot's Response
posted 12/24/07 @ 5:14 AM EST
Senators,
I am unable to make the meeting this week and so I write to you to share my thoughts on two pieces.
First, the attempt to censure. The accusation is very serious. (Continued…)
Thomas Griffoff
posted 1/07/08 @ 10:06 PM EST
Zachary Pyle's message to the Senate was nothing more than a note of advice before acting in the manner they had done.= Being a Senator myself, I believe that the actions that they had took against Lee in that room was nothing more than blatant attacks, which was actually the topic for discussion. (Continued…)
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