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UCLA is not pursuing action against Alexandra Wallace for her YouTube video “Asians in the Library,” university officials announced today.
In a statement, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Janina Montero explained that Wallace’s video rant did not violate the Student Code of Conduct, and the university does not punish free speech.
“We have no intention of pursuing a discipline matter — which in no way diminishes the pain felt by so many in the campus community and around the world,” Montero said in the statement.
Wallace could not immediately be reached for comment.
The video showed Wallace, a third-year political science student, making derogatory comments about Asian students. The video, originally posted March 11, was taken down but was reposted by others. It went viral Sunday and has since gained international attention.
Wallace apologized for her video in a statement to the Daily Bruin Monday. The Bruin later reported that she has received threatening e-mails and phone calls. University police are still investigating the nature of communications made to Wallace, said university spokesman Phil Hampton.
Chancellor Gene Block denounced the video in an e-mail to the campus and a video posted online Monday.
“The bar on free expression is very high. However offended one might be with the comments that were in the video the fact remains that campus policies do not punish free speech. They punish hate speech,” Hampton said.
In an interview with The Bruin Thursday, First Amendment scholar and UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh said Wallace’s comments in the video were constitutionally protected.
The Office of the Dean of Students has been in communication with Wallace over the past week. However, the campus’s focus, Hampton said, has been to ensure that there is an environment in which Wallace could complete her studies during finals week.
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15 comments
Well, I guess that means it is now in the hands of the students. I wonder if she’ll ever go to the library again.
No mention of her grades in all of this. Was she failing, and looking for an excuse for not to take her finals?
If anything, students need to buy Jimmy Wong’s “Ching Chong (it means I love you)” song from iTunes (proceeds going to charity for tsunami victims), and play it wherever she goes. :D
as expected. what was gained from this? pure publicity.
thats ok. she will forever be known as the racist white girl. FOREVER.
nothing leaves the internet. someone is always going to repost it.
and people never really forget bad things.
even though she apologized to UCLA, in her videos she pretty much addressed the entire Asian population.
no body will forget this.
Wow. That’s it? It seems like people are protecting her more than the people that she wanted to hurt. She deserves everything that she has been receiving.
Re: Angela. An eye for an eye makes the world go blind -Ghandi. I hope you’re not serious; otherwise, you are just as guilty as Ms. Wallace. I think she already got what she deserved…an endless embarrassment and peer pressure she she continue her studies at UCLA which apparently she will not anymore. I hope her actions will forever follow her, but I do not wish her harm.
@CALIFORNIA, she might be dumb, but did any of you ucla folks ever hear racist sexist remarks on the radio. why dosnt ucla take a stand against that, oh thats right UCLA only has the balls to after some moronic 19 year old, give me a break.
feel good now?
Re:JusySaying if a fat pigskin baldy was in her shoes would you wish him harm ? of course you would.
Jason, I am no saint and I have my own bias as everyone else’s; however, I wouldn’t wish him harm (death) if it’s just word fighting (as in Ms. Wallace’s case). I will get irritated and have anger towards him but by no means want him or anyone to be in physical harm—emotional harm (as much as he caused me), perhaps. Should there be physical contact, that is another story.
You don’t justify racism thru free speech. We all cherish our rights, but what ever happen to the UCLA’s standard and values. This mean I could just go rant against African Americans, Asians, Latin people and expect a smile coming from UCLA officials. Freedom of speech and moral values should not be confuse. UCLA is still about teaching adults and prepare them for the real world. It’s still all about teaching. Ms. Wallace can say anything she wants, it’s everyones freedom. BUT NOT WHILE she REPRESENTS UCLA.
Please define— what is hate speech then?????
Re: Tony. You bring up a valid point. How could UCLA condone Wallace’s behavior and only classify it as “free speech”? There HAS to be some sort of free speech threshold that Wallace crossed that the university fails to address. Maybe this is a wake up call for UCLA to start re-structuring their damn standards for punishment and criteria of “class” on campus.
Somehow I’m not entirely convinced of the public apology, but that said something tells me she’s bound to become the next b grade bikini strutting reality actress bringing greater America attention to all the things that supposedly ail it. But then again who needs a degree when you can peddle smut?
http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2011/03/ucla-student-who-posted-racist-video-quits-school/
“UCLA will not take action against Alexandra Wallace”
Of course. She can do no wrong. She’s a teenage white girl in America :-)
I’m sure if the video was against black people they would have considered that hate speech instead of free speech. I guess it’s ok to spread your hate as long as the targets have slanted eyes.
I’m sure if it was a “different” person who said that, they would be punish right? I guess we all know who the “real” evil is….“White American”?? hmm… They basically “forced” the “Native American” away from their land, homes, etc…owell, I guess we just have to be “White American” in order for our “freedom of speech” to be consider “freedom of speech”. If it was me who rant that exact video but about “White” people I’m sure I’ll be in jail…since it’ll probably be considered as “hate speech” although clearly i was just “speaking my mind!”
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad she didn’t get expelled from the school or anything but I think justice was not done here. Oh well, I’m only Asian American, what can I do about it right? LMAO