Alexandra’s YouTube rant wasn’t blissful ignorance, it was an intentional act of racism. Why else would she post it on YouTube for the world to see? She was trying to incite hate against another group. This incident is just as offensive as the isolated UCSD incidents

Alexandra’s YouTube rant wasn’t blissful ignorance, it was an intentional act of racism. Why else would she post it on YouTube for the world to see? She was trying to incite hate against another group. This incident is just as offensive as the isolated UCSD incidents

Alexandra’s YouTube rant wasn’t blissful ignorance, it was an intentional act of racism. Why else would she post it on YouTube for the world to see? She was trying to incite hate against another group. This incident is just as offensive as the isolated UCSD incidents

I am an Asian American alumnus and this is the best article out of the whole Daily Bruin. Ms. Wallace used unfortunate language to get her point across, however she pointed out a select few out of the Asian community. The name calling and disparaging claims about what she did to gain admission are shameful.
I have an idea: Mandatory community service for all undergraduate students to bring the UCLA community together. As I reflect on my preparations to interview the next incoming class of freshmen for the UCLA Alumni scholarship, I’m happy to say we have strong mix of Asian and Caucasian alumni on the panel this year. Unfortunately, it seems no graduates of other races have expressed an interest in joining us this year. I hope future graduates will consider giving back to UCLA in this manner.

Hey, those who were involved in the Compton Cookout and the noose incident at UCSD apologized as well.

Mssrs. Ramzanali and Nijhawan, get your facts straight, you sorry excuses for journalists.

I agree with the overall theme of your article, except for one paragraph. I am a UCSD student and I must say your attempt to bring us into your problem is disgusting. We’re your sister UC. Trying to make us look bad and dragging up our shameful past as a blatant attempt to make your current predicament look better is very upsetting. Every school has racism problems, particularly at large universities like the UCs. We dealt with ours. In fact, we had campus wide talks and events about racism and the perpetrator both apologized and received punishment. Please refrain from inaccurately portraying another school, one which is very closely related to your own, might I add, as having “intentional acts of racism”. We do not, and have never had, a “dangerous campus climate”. The girl who made the noose claims, just like Ms. Wallace, to have been blissfully unaware of the implications of it – but even so, she did apologize. Our school is just as accepting as any other. All schools have their problems. Please don’t try to compare yours to ours when you don’t even know the facts in order to make yourself feel better about what’s going on on your campus.

Whilst i think her comments were stereotyping Asians and insensitive, at least she is honest in her biases. A lot of caucasians might have the same prejudiced misperceptions, but be unwilling to state it.

Every ethnicity makes fun of every other ethnicity, it’s just not PC to say out loud. So her ‘rant’ says a lot more about her elders and people she is around then herself.

It is a trait in unwise humans, when agitated to lash out at things which irritate them , often those that are different from them. She probably had a lot of negative things happening to her and it culminated in the outpouring of negativity towards Asians… for whatever reason.

She is not as bad as the the real racists who discriminate in job hiring, promotion, house hunting and wherever they can, to dig the knife in at those they perceive to be ‘different’ and ‘less than’ them, but smile and are ever so correct and polite. Yes Students… everyone is not so nice and obliging to display their prejudices.. only to smile and act them out in ways that hide their true motivations.

She is an unwise, somewhat arrogant young person. Let her be and not give the 3 minutes of video more importance then it deserves,nor give the real bigots fuel to add to fire of hate by demonizing Alexandra Wallace.

so Thank You Alexandra for showing us in a small way, what we might have to look out for in other parts of the country where the biases you display might be held as ‘truths’.

She was unwise, said sorry.. forgive the unwise comments and move on.

You better revoke this unless you wanna become like alexandria wallace

How’d this idiot make it to ucla?

The problem with Alexandra Wallace’s apology is that she did not directly apologize to the Asian American community who she targeted in her rant. The meaning behind her apology is not sincere because she first of all, said it through paper, not a public spoken apology, and secondly, she is saying sorry for getting caught. She meant every word she said and she doesn’t apologize for that. She says, “I cannot explain what possessed me to approach the subject as I did, and if I could undo it, I would.” Ya, of course she would undo it if she could because she now has crazy people sending her death threats and harassing her!

She never apologizes for her crass and ignorant words and I will not accept her apology as an Asian American. It’s disgusting to see such an ignorant girl go to a multicultural and diverse university, and not take advantage of getting to undertand and learn other cultures. I do not believe she should be expelled because I do not believe her words are a hate crime. It is simply just ignorance at it’s finest. I agree with the authors and the Asian Pacific Coalition at UCLA about how she should be re-educated on other cultures and traditions. But i’m sure walking around UCLA campus and being known as a racist is punishment enough.

Everyone has done something stupid during college —- duh. Unfortunately technology prevents many mistakes these days from fading away as they did way back in the chancellor’s college years. Yes, A. M’s video was/ racist, but she is young and will eventually learn from her huge mistake. It was a bad decision made by a twenty-something. Give the girl a break, and focus on more important matters, such as following the author of this article’s advice and focusing energy on multicultural education. Freedom of Speech, no matter how poor in taste , is everyone’s First Amendment right. Unfortunately, the affects of words spoken can be utterly devastating. Rise above this UCLA, learn from it and enable everyone to move forward, A. M. included.

I disagree with this article I think she will definitely remember it was her ACTIONS that caused the tidal wave of indignant rage people expressed. It’s called the consequence of one’s actions. Now she knows that she will be held accountable. She thought she was being cute and it backfired. Whether she develops a respect for another culture or just keeps her vapid ignorance to herself the result is the same. The silence of ignorance and the understanding that it’s not tolerated.

Her apology was weak. She apologized for being caught. Not for what she thought. Parade her out and let her post it on youtube as well. I’d suggest she think about a name change because I imagine her employment opportunities going “poof” after HR googles her.

http://www.indiematrix.com

@David, if she really were courageous, she wouldn’t have deleted the video and her channel.

Professor Gussin and the author of this article should try to understand that this type of oppression by this type of oppressor is being met with equity in terms of “violence”. I’m not excusing violence on violence’s behalf. However, this type of response is BLAMING THE VICTIM, and equally egregious. It is a “higher than thou” response that does not take into consideration the victim(s) of the oppression.

Alexandra Wallace, on the other hand, needs disciplinary action. Her thoughtless and reckless behavior reflects a sentiment of entitlement, which is unfounded. She has disgraced UCLA and the community. SHE has created a hostile environment in an institution that should be teaching tolerance, acceptance and respect for culture and cultural differences. Also, implementing a diversity requirement is an excellent idea, but it should be something that is considered for ALL course work. Culture is everywhere, it does not just end in one 4-unit class. And YES, I’m actually advocating a system-wide change in the way higher education operates.

Is UCLA a breeding ground for white idiots like DAVID and A.WALLACE? cuz thats a shame!

David: How can you applaud a girl like Alexandra Wallace for courageous activism? Her comment was extremely racist and concerning the “large influx of Asians into UCLA” it’s not like the administrators are purposely picking only those of Asian ethnicity to enter UCLA. UCLA is a PUBLIC university – if they purposely pick Asians as the majority in each entering class, then that would call for a re-evaluation of how the school’s administrators are selecting their students.

As for the “anti-sexist remarks that consists of threats and vulgarity” – to what exactly are you referring to? As an Asian-American, I have actually never heard of “anti-white” or “sexist” remarks that were intentionally put out on a very public media form. Sure, everyone, amongst their friends may make a joke or two, but I have never heard of any serious racial remarks made the way Alexandra did, particularly in light of the Tsunami in Japan.

When you say “Asians are unable to find their place in society, they will begin to resort to criminal behavior,” that statement in and of itself just comes off as ignorant. Any person who feels like an outsider to society has the potential to exude deviant behavior, not merely Asians.

As a student at UCLA and one who has grown up in Southern California my entire life, I am ashamed that remarks like your’s and Alexandra’s still exist. I truly believe both of you have spoken with ignorance in understanding different cultures.

Your portrayal of UCSD is inaccurate and careless. There has been no “dangerous campus climate” at UCSD in my three years as a student. Please explain your terminology. Contrary to your shoddy reporting, the student responsible for the noose in the library did not commit a deliberate act of racism and did apologize. Look it up. You also fail to verify the origins of the “Compton Cookout” which has been claimed by African American internet personality (and non-UCSD affiliate) “Jigaboo Jones.” As another commenter has t’s incredibly immature and irresponsible to try to drag UCSD through the mud to try and make your school look better. On behalf of the UCSD community, I demand a retraction and an apology for these dishonest and damaging statements made about UCSD.

I believe that the racist and hurtful discourse displayed in Wallace’s video should not go unsanctioned. As a UCLA student I have the responsibility to uphold the university’s code of conduct. If a student is caught cheating that student is expelled from the university. Miss Wallace broke the rules by inflicting pain and shame to the whole entire campus. Not only did she debase a entire group of people but she tarnished UCLA’s reputation locally and globally as well. What kind of message does it send to the world when the only consequence Miss Wallace faces is re-scheduling her finals?

1. sensitivity workshops aren’t going to help racists.
2. alexandra’s problem is not apologizing SINCERELY
3. she should be expelled.
4. UCLA’s reputation has been completely smeared.

I agree with the comments made about UCSD and your use of an event that you didn’t not research enough on. Yes, the campus did go through what a very heated and tense time. But it was an event that I hope we learned from and were able to grow from. Isn’t that part of the University experience being able to stand up for what you believe? One of the underlying issues of the Compton Cookout incident is that there is an admitted lack of African-American students at UCSD; something the University wants to improve.

As for Wallace herself, she is not ignorant. I don’t think a person can make comments like that and expect them to be accepted as just a silly rant. Whether it was racist or not, it was more than insulting. Personally, my family has lived in America for generations; so long in fact that my family was here during the era when not speaking Chinese was a way to become more “American”. It is that what I find insulting. That she insinuates that she is somehow more American than many of the Asian Americans in this country and not because of American ideals or views, but simply the fact that we are of Asian descent and implying that as Asians or Asian American we lack decorum and manners. That is a generalization that I think most people would find insulting, Asian or not.

While I don’t think the UCSD or UCLA incident is necessarily worse than the other. However, it is poor taste to try to downplay the current incident by bringing up another. It does little to begin the healing and learning process, which I after reading your article seems to be what you are advocating.

The authors state that Wallace has “blissful ignorance” WHAT? That is a ridiculous comment. You act as if the racist diatribe that came out of her mouth was an unfortunate accident. Kind of like a burp at the dinner table. No, there is nothing innocent or blissful about what she did. Clearly, Wallace does not like Asian Americans and feels inconvenienced that she has to put up with a campus where whites do not make up 90% of the campus as she would like. She wants to live in a world where she only has to deal with white people. (As if white people never are rude or are loud in the library).
Also, it is wrong to say there is collective guilt that includes all UCLA students. Wallace is a racist. She took the initiative with her racist rant.

Asad, I think your reaction to this would be different if she had gone after students of middle eastern heritage. What this is about is a racist, intolerant individual who chose to make a stupid life decision. She does not apologize to Asian/American for her poor decision and fellow white people for setting them back. She completely has this image of Asians and she portrays that well in her shitty video. Take it one step further, as not just a stupid decision but as one to disrespect Asians further by not even caring what they’ll think of her video because they are so unable to “fend for themselves.”

You say it is wrong to harass her, and these threats are terrible. But its re-affirmation for how intolerant many people are to other cultures. If you do not want to have her represent the UCLA community, then don’t tie her to it and then bring UCSD into it to make your “community” feel better. UCSD actually looked the problem in the eye.

Some of the worst journalism I have ever read.

I agree with the fact that even though Wallace’s video is “ignorant and distasteful” the responses “deserve just as much scrutiny as the video itself.”

I disagree with this statement: “UCLA doesn’t have the same dangerous campus climate that existed at UC San Diego when a noose was found hanging in the library or when a fraternity hosted the “Compton Cookout.” These were intentional acts of racism rather than the blissful ignorance Wallace, who actually apologized, unlike those involved at UCSD, seems to exude.”

The person who hung the noose also apologized. In this sense, both this person and Wallace were “blissfully ignorant.”

UCSD did not slight UCLA when the noose or “Compton Cookout” incidents occurred. We never pointed out what you have reported in stating that UCLA, “is the only UC campus without [a diversity General Education requirement].” We were proud and grateful that UCLA and other UC colleges rallied with us to protest these incidents. We were proud and grateful that non-UC colleges and high schools rallied with us as well. Don’t bring another UC college down. Don’t bring other colleges down either. All of us, regardless of our race/gender/ethnicity/class, have been affected by this incident. We are all human and flawed, but let us learn from this incident and continue to strive to treat each other with the utmost dignity and respect.

Blissful ignorance” I like that.

First of all, a huge amount of ‘comments’ out there on YouTube, and comment boards in general, are decidedly and exceedingly negative. Very often they are also racist, sexist, homophobic in nature, REGARDLESS of the subject or nature of the original material. (i.e. racist responses to anything produced by or featuring an individual of any particular group). Anyone who reads comments knows that a good number of them are inflammatory.

While the comments are inappropriate, and I could see how some people could be greatly disturbed, I think it is a far stretch to equate ANONYMOUS reactionary comments with making a recording of yourself making racist rants on video and then going through the steps to upload it to the internet.

And she has been studying Political Science for three years? Really? I sure hope she is not interested in any type of public administration. Racism is a poison pill in politics. I would expect someone studying politics to know that. Way I see it, she has already severely jeopardized her career if she ever wanted to work with what she is studying.

If politics doesn’t work out, I’m sure she could use this to help her ‘modeling’ career , if she’s willing to make a few sacrifices about that.