Diversity at University of Florida
from boortz.com:
Here is the text of an email that was sent to every student at the University of Florida by the vice president for student affairs. Note, please, the hyphenated name. I don't know about you ... but that hyphen tells me a lot.
Pithy comments to follow:
November 26, 2007
To: All University Students
From: Dr. Patricia Telles-Irvin
Vice President for Student Affairs
Re: Official Response to a recent advertisement for the movie "Obsession"
Throughout our country, we have witnessed a rise in offensive behavior and actions taken against others, which has created greater divisiveness and misunderstandings among the various ethnic groups residing in our communities. One of these events occurred on our campus recently with the promotion of an event.
Dr. Patricia Telles-Irvin
Advertisements for the movie "Obsession" sponsored by several student organizations appeared during the past several weeks on campus bulletin boards and they illustrate the importance of balancing freedom of speech with responsibility.
The ads, which promoted a showing of the movie on Nov. 13 and a panel discussion afterward, entitled "Radical Islam Wants You Dead," offended many Muslim students on campus. Regardless of its original intent, the language reinforced a negative stereotype, created unnecessary divisiveness and contributed to a generalization that only furthers the misunderstanding of the religion of Islam.
We cannot speak of rights without also addressing the responsibility associated with our actions or statements, including understanding the potential consequences. One of our roles as a learning institution is to teach our students to express themselves freely, and also in a fair and conscientious manner. In an academic setting, differences of opinions are strongly encouraged, yet such opinions must be based on accurate information when describing other members of the community.
Unfortunately, in the case of the "Obsession" ads, that did not happen. I believe the groups that posted them owe the campus, and particularly campus members of the Islamic faith, an apology and a clarification.
At the University of Florida we have embraced a set of values, one of which is diversity. Diversity is not just about having representation from various cultures on campus, it also is having each member contribute to an inclusive and safe environment and collectively enhancing our understanding and appreciation of the richness brought by such differences. The University of Florida is committed to being an institution of excellence, where all members are valued and feel safe on our campus. Our role as an institution is to create opportunities for students to learn in an open and accepting environment; one that emphasizes respect for all. Let's remember that part of our mission is to prepare each other to be effective members of a global community. With that in mind, I encourage each member of our campus community as a start to learn more about the religion of Islam and some of its tenets of peace, hard work, charity and compassion.
There is little room for divisiveness in our world if we are to find peace and understanding among us. We all can win if we focus on greater inclusion and understanding as well as the delicate balance between our rights and responsibilities.
So, Doctor Telles-Irvin seems to be upset over the "Radical Islam wants you dead" phrase. She says it "offended many Muslim students."
Frankly, Doctor, I don't give a flying you-know-what that many Muslim students were offended. Know what? I'm somewhat offended that radical Muslims call for the death of America and as many Americans as possible with every passing day. During World War II there were many Germans, Italians and Japanese who wanted as many of us dead as possible. I don't think that there were many Americans who were afraid to make that point because, God help us, it might have offended some Germans, Italians or Japanese.
Tell you what, Dr. Irvin, I'm just a bit offended that Radical Islamists continue to call for death to America and my neighbors without more moderate Muslims making a point of standing up to denounce their brethren. My guess is that there are many students on the Florida campus who would love to see the Muslim students hold a demonstration just once a year protesting the goals and actions of radical Islamists around the world. Has any such demonstration taken place on the Florida campus? I rather doubt it. I'm sure you would let us know if it did.
Another question, Dr. Irvin: Has any Muslim student or group ever written a letter to your office or to the student newspaper condemning radical Islam or Islamic terrorism? Did any Muslim student group hold a protest to object to Muslims shooting school children in the back in Beslan? Did any Muslim student or group hold a rally to protest the execution of fellow Muslims in Afghanistan just because they were daring to teach young Muslim girls? Come on, Dr. Telles-Irvin ... dates and times. Tell us all the wonderful things the University of Florida Muslim students have done to protest and condemn Islamic terrorism and the Islamic "death to America" radicals.
Oh .. I see. You don't have any dates and times? You don't have any records of any such meetings, demonstrations or protests? Well, frankly ... I'm offended by this. I'm offended by the lack of caring for their fellow students on the part of your Muslim student body.
You think that the groups that posted the movie advertisements owe Islamic students an apology? What the hell for? Is it not a fact, just as the poster says, that "Radical Islam" wants us dead? Listen up, lady! They're saying it day after day! The posters didn't say "Muslims want you dead." The reference was specifically to "radical Islam." OK, I understand that your college major was in education ... but even an education major can understand the difference.
Since you seem to be in a writing mood ... why not take the time to create another one of your wonderful emails. This one you can send to your Muslim students. Tell them that their non-Muslim fellow students are a little concerned that while radical Islamists call for death to them and their families, they aren't hearing anything from the Florida Muslim student body in protest.
Yeah .. let me hold my breath while you get that email out.
And what's with that stupid hyphen?
Here is the text of an email that was sent to every student at the University of Florida by the vice president for student affairs. Note, please, the hyphenated name. I don't know about you ... but that hyphen tells me a lot.
Pithy comments to follow:
November 26, 2007
To: All University Students
From: Dr. Patricia Telles-Irvin
Vice President for Student Affairs
Re: Official Response to a recent advertisement for the movie "Obsession"
Throughout our country, we have witnessed a rise in offensive behavior and actions taken against others, which has created greater divisiveness and misunderstandings among the various ethnic groups residing in our communities. One of these events occurred on our campus recently with the promotion of an event.
Dr. Patricia Telles-Irvin
Advertisements for the movie "Obsession" sponsored by several student organizations appeared during the past several weeks on campus bulletin boards and they illustrate the importance of balancing freedom of speech with responsibility.
The ads, which promoted a showing of the movie on Nov. 13 and a panel discussion afterward, entitled "Radical Islam Wants You Dead," offended many Muslim students on campus. Regardless of its original intent, the language reinforced a negative stereotype, created unnecessary divisiveness and contributed to a generalization that only furthers the misunderstanding of the religion of Islam.
We cannot speak of rights without also addressing the responsibility associated with our actions or statements, including understanding the potential consequences. One of our roles as a learning institution is to teach our students to express themselves freely, and also in a fair and conscientious manner. In an academic setting, differences of opinions are strongly encouraged, yet such opinions must be based on accurate information when describing other members of the community.
Unfortunately, in the case of the "Obsession" ads, that did not happen. I believe the groups that posted them owe the campus, and particularly campus members of the Islamic faith, an apology and a clarification.
At the University of Florida we have embraced a set of values, one of which is diversity. Diversity is not just about having representation from various cultures on campus, it also is having each member contribute to an inclusive and safe environment and collectively enhancing our understanding and appreciation of the richness brought by such differences. The University of Florida is committed to being an institution of excellence, where all members are valued and feel safe on our campus. Our role as an institution is to create opportunities for students to learn in an open and accepting environment; one that emphasizes respect for all. Let's remember that part of our mission is to prepare each other to be effective members of a global community. With that in mind, I encourage each member of our campus community as a start to learn more about the religion of Islam and some of its tenets of peace, hard work, charity and compassion.
There is little room for divisiveness in our world if we are to find peace and understanding among us. We all can win if we focus on greater inclusion and understanding as well as the delicate balance between our rights and responsibilities.
So, Doctor Telles-Irvin seems to be upset over the "Radical Islam wants you dead" phrase. She says it "offended many Muslim students."
Frankly, Doctor, I don't give a flying you-know-what that many Muslim students were offended. Know what? I'm somewhat offended that radical Muslims call for the death of America and as many Americans as possible with every passing day. During World War II there were many Germans, Italians and Japanese who wanted as many of us dead as possible. I don't think that there were many Americans who were afraid to make that point because, God help us, it might have offended some Germans, Italians or Japanese.
Tell you what, Dr. Irvin, I'm just a bit offended that Radical Islamists continue to call for death to America and my neighbors without more moderate Muslims making a point of standing up to denounce their brethren. My guess is that there are many students on the Florida campus who would love to see the Muslim students hold a demonstration just once a year protesting the goals and actions of radical Islamists around the world. Has any such demonstration taken place on the Florida campus? I rather doubt it. I'm sure you would let us know if it did.
Another question, Dr. Irvin: Has any Muslim student or group ever written a letter to your office or to the student newspaper condemning radical Islam or Islamic terrorism? Did any Muslim student group hold a protest to object to Muslims shooting school children in the back in Beslan? Did any Muslim student or group hold a rally to protest the execution of fellow Muslims in Afghanistan just because they were daring to teach young Muslim girls? Come on, Dr. Telles-Irvin ... dates and times. Tell us all the wonderful things the University of Florida Muslim students have done to protest and condemn Islamic terrorism and the Islamic "death to America" radicals.
Oh .. I see. You don't have any dates and times? You don't have any records of any such meetings, demonstrations or protests? Well, frankly ... I'm offended by this. I'm offended by the lack of caring for their fellow students on the part of your Muslim student body.
You think that the groups that posted the movie advertisements owe Islamic students an apology? What the hell for? Is it not a fact, just as the poster says, that "Radical Islam" wants us dead? Listen up, lady! They're saying it day after day! The posters didn't say "Muslims want you dead." The reference was specifically to "radical Islam." OK, I understand that your college major was in education ... but even an education major can understand the difference.
Since you seem to be in a writing mood ... why not take the time to create another one of your wonderful emails. This one you can send to your Muslim students. Tell them that their non-Muslim fellow students are a little concerned that while radical Islamists call for death to them and their families, they aren't hearing anything from the Florida Muslim student body in protest.
Yeah .. let me hold my breath while you get that email out.
And what's with that stupid hyphen?
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She doesn't want to "give-up" her Maiden name...[V] 0 -
She certainly gave up her American values, provided she had any in the first place. 0 -
I am pulling my kid from that school and cancelling my insurance endowement to the college! All thanks to the to the do gooder Dr.. 0 -
was this response to her feel good lets not offend these enemies published to receive equal exposure????? cannot stand this crap going on especially when we are supposed to be educating kids to truth & reality. 0 -
Ah, yes, UF... that "other college" in town...
(I work at the other one...:) )0 -
just curious what exactly does the Hyphen tell you?
I hyphenated my name for 2 reasons
1. because my daughter has that last name and even though I dislike my ex it is still my daughters maiden name.
2. I have an established business of, at the time of marriage, 10 years. Alot of my clients do a search by name to find me if I had not hyphenated it I would have had to change my state license and then would/could have lost business.
David couldnt have cared less.0 -
Sorry, but "diversity" is not a value. And, for the record, they DO IN FACT WANT US DEAD!!! 0 -
To Ga-Ga Girl: your explanations of the hyphen thingie darn near make sense, and I respect your reasons. But you have to admit that in most instances today it suggests that the newlywed bride had some ISSUES with appearing to be submissive by jettisoning her maiden name and taking her husband's. For this reason, it is generally assumed by the public to indicate that the hyphenee either has latent feminist issues or thinks its cool to sound Euro elite. Sorry, that should be Euro-elite. 0 -
"Radical Islam Wants You Dead," offended many Muslim students on campus." Are the Musim students that are "offended" radicals that want us dead? If not, why are they offended as the statement is not aimed at them. Somehow I don't think the vice president would allow a member of say the KKK to voice his "diverse" viewpoint, not that I would want to hear it. But that is the idea, I have a choice to ignore anyone I want, even "offended" Muslim students. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by River Rat
To Ga-Ga Girl: your explanations of the hyphen thingie darn near make sense, and I respect your reasons. But you have to admit that in most instances today it suggests that the newlywed bride had some ISSUES with appearing to be submissive by jettisoning her maiden name and taking her husband's. For this reason, it is generally assumed by the public to indicate that the hyphenee either has latent feminist issues or thinks its cool to sound Euro elite. Sorry, that should be Euro-elite.
I agree to a point, but I cant think of 1 person I know that hyphenated her name for anything other than having an established business in their name. Of course I dont tend to associate with the women who are insecure so that may be why too.0 -
Hyphenated names are bad.
Doug0 -
Judging by her last "names",......I would bet she is Jewish.
This is something that has always amazed me!
The very people that the Islamics hate the most, and want destroyed first, are often the first to want to protect them.
This is not an anti-semitic remark, as my own step father was a Russian Jew, and he was a great man.
He always told me that most of the Jews were crazy liberals though,.......guess I see what he was talking about with this one.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
Judging by her last "names",......I would bet she is Jewish.
This is something that has always amazed me!
The very people that the Islamics hate the most, and want destroyed first, are often the first to want to protect them.
This is not an anti-semitic remark, as my own step father was a Russian Jew, and he was a great man.
He always told me that most of the Jews were crazy liberals though,.......guess I see what he was talking about with this one.
Some groups of people, especially liberals, seem to feel guilty about their being alive or of having money, homes, etc. Because of that guilt, such people think they deserve to become victims. That partlly explains why most liberals chose to, when they are attacked by violent criminals, chose to either be saved by the professionals or die. The just cannot bring themselves to be prepared to fight back; even to save their own lives or that of their loved ones.
This is just what I have observed in life. And such an attitude might be acceptable to me if such people didn't also want to force me to live my life the same way.0 -
It's about radical islam, so the non radical Muslim students ought to be on board with it. Wouldn't ya think ? 0
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