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Letters to the editorBuilding strife

Editor:Several points should be made regarding the "Thundering distractions vex

campus," Nov. 3 article.

If the reason for construction is to bring buildings such as Public

Policy up to seismic standards, why are these buildings currently used?

In the case of Public Policy, dozens of faculty were recently moved into

the building prior to the completion of the construction work. Since when

does the installation of classroom seats constitute a safety measure,

anyway?

Anyone who was on campus during the summer should be acutely aware that

the work pace during the intersessions was lackadaisical at best. It almost

seems that construction was put on hold until students and faculty returned

to campus.

There are actually committees of bureaucrats deciding matters such as

what color the linoleum floor in the Public Policy building should be.

Meanwhile, officials such as Charles Oakley seem unable to determine

when particular classrooms are in use, so as to schedule construction in

those areas at other times.

Oakley, or whoever is responsible for the unbearable interruptions (not

mere distractions), needs to understand that education is the primary

purpose of a university, and to begin looking for solutions instead of

excuses.Peter Tokofsky

Assistant professor

Germanic languages

Don't wallow

Editor:I admire Aaron Howard, ("No apologies for questioning American way, Nov.

10) in his search for "truth" as evident in his article.

I agree with most of his world-view. However, in the spirit of

continuing our re-education of race issues in America, I sincerely don't

want Howard to slip into the trap set by those trying to dismantle any

positive gains made by the Civil Rights Movement.

One example from Howard's article: He stated, "... after all, we're all

Americans anyway ... right?"

If that's the case, why can't I get some love on affirmative action from

these same whites and Asians who want to pump up this "American ideal?"

The Asian Pacific Islander community of activists, teachers, parents,

laborers, professionals, students and other similarly aware people

supported and participated in the Civil Rights Movement, and they certainly

support affirmative action today.

That legacy has passed on to future generations. Did you not see York

Chang get arrested for affirmative action? Did you even go to the rally?

If you didn't, why didn't you go? If you did, did you not see the many

faces from Asia and the Pacific Islands?

Did you ignore these faces as the wealthy politicians and media owners

do every single night when they make a show about affirmative action?

One good thing about my high school history class was that I read and

saw videos on the Civil Rights Movement. I even heard speeches by Dr. King.

Unfortunately, Asian Pacific Islander activists were "invisible." It was

only when I took Asian American studies classes at UCLA did I realize facts

to the contrary.

Aaron, don't let some stupid traps slow you down in your search for the

truth. The truth exists, but only humble and open-minded people can swim in

it. Everyone else is wallowing in the mud.Thomas Hong

Second-year

Law

viewpoint@media.asucla.ucla.edu

viewpoint@media.asucla.ucla.edu