Racism at UVa

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A self-segregating population

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<p>That’s completely different. I’ll address this in the next post.</p>

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“I’m a little tired of hearing stereotypical comments about UVa from folks with no hard data.”</p>

<p>I’m not trying to present credible evidence either way. I’m trying to hear honest opinions from current students. I hoped that this would be understood and resepected as a reasonable, if false, concern.

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<p>Vistany’s opinion that he’s tired of hearing it is an honest student’s opinion. After repeatedly addressing this issue in this forum, the idea of racism keeps coming up. We volunteer our time to help with your questions; do you think we enjoy posting the same thing over and over? And if you don’t have credible evidence, why would you think that we would “understand and respect” your false concern? Making assumptions and having faulty data makes you look like a fool. Just a current student’s honest opinion.</p>

<p>There have been isolated incidents of hate crimes at UVa. There are isolated incidents at almost every college. They are not representative of the student body’s opinions or beliefs. However, there is a more subtle and prevalent current that many clubs and groups that represent minorities are trying to combat. And that is the issue of stereotypes. I think the word racism evokes a much stronger feeling for those that hear it. Stereotypes, however, are prevalent. They’re prevalent throughout the world. And many groups are trying to change that. Asian Student Union (and it’s member organizations like HKSA, CSA, OYFA, JC, KSA, ISA, SSA, TSA, etc.), Black Student Alliance, Minority Rights Coalition are just some. There are some issues. But we as students try to work through them and make them more known to the University student body. </p>

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Am I asking about the tolerance of those who are racist, not the number of those who are racist

The problem isn’t the number of racist students or tolerance or those who are racist. In general, they are not tolerated. Hate crimes are taking very seriously at UVa; legal action is usually taken if some other agreement is not reached. The problem lies more within raising awareness. The student body, after hearing of a hate crime, reacts negatively. Many students feel that anything that reflects badly on UVa reflects badly on them. We see going to UVa as a point of pride, and don’t appreciate someone slandering our school’s name. </p>

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Am I asking about the tolerance of those who are racist, not the number of those who are racist. I still have yet to hear one account attesting to the intolerance of racism.

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<p>Here’s one. This spring when ISA (indian student association) was having a party at the X lounge downtown, a Sikh student was stopped from entering because of his head dress. Here’s the update that we received.</p>

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As many of you know, several weeks ago a Sikh student from UVA was denied admission to the X-Lounge because of his turban. This integral part of his religious identity was deemed an inadmissible “head covering” indistinguishable from gang paraphernalia or eccentric fashion. It is with heavy hearts that we learned of this woeful display of ignorance and discrimination. </p>

<p>Lifting our spirits, however, has been the overwhelming support we have received from the University and local Charlottesville communities over the past couple weeks. These countless words of support from colleagues and strangers alike reflect that we live in a community that values diversity, and that will stand up to intolerance. We are honored and moved by your expressions of solidarity. </p>

<p>With regards to the incident itself, the Sikh Students Association appreciates and accepts the apology issued by the X-Lounge. In meeting with their management they have demonstrated sincerity in their apology and a commitment to prevent further incidents. To this end, they have agreed to a formal training session on the issue led by the Sikh Students Association. Additionally, we will extend this educational mission to include surrounding businesses on the downtown mall, so they too can learn from this experience. Lastly, we will be sponsoring an event along with various other organizations on April 22nd from 11am to 3pm in the amphitheater called “United Against Discrimination”. With this event, we hope to establish ties between our communities and show that we are united and that we will not tolerate discrimination of any kind. It is our hope that these efforts will help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, and will also help our community celebrate and embrace its diversity. </p>

<p>We do not believe that incidents such as these are isolated events, but instead speak to the work remaining in combating ignorance and discrimination, painfully demonstrated again by last weeks hate-crime. We hope these incidents can catalyze increased teamwork and strengthen ties between all communities facing similar struggles. </p>

<p>United we stand, divided we fall. </p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

<p>The Sikh Student Association and the Indian Student Association at the University of Virginia

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<p>Another update:

After the X-Lounge incident of misbehavior with a Sikh member of the UVa comunity, the Sikh Student Association has accepted the apology of the club, and have decided to hold training sessions with multiple venues in Charlottesville about problems related to Indian religions the latter may face in the future as well. They are also co-sponsoring with other organizations a drive against discrimination this Wednesday 11am to 3pm at the Amphitheater. There will be opportunities for past victims to raise their voice or share their opinions/experiences, and there willl also be awareness opportunities.

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<p>There was also an incident with the WBC; they were coming to picket, and we protested because of their past history. Search through the Cav Daily and you’ll be able to find some articles. Same on the X lounge incident.</p>