UCSB’s Respect Coalition hosted a panel discussion in Embarcadero Hall last night at 8 p.m. to respond to conservative activist David Horowitz’s concurrent lecture across the road in Isla Vista Theater.
The event, entitled “The Alternative: Empowering Our Voices,” featured a talk among panelists including black studies professor George Lipsitz, Associated Students Associate Director of Media Elizabeth Robinson and student speakers, followed by an open discussion with the audience. The Respect Coalition, comprised of roughly 70 student groups representing diverse political, sexual, religious and ethnic backgrounds, was formed in an attempt to create a more inclusive and tolerant campus environment.
Associated Students External Vice President of Statewide Affairs Ahmed Mostafa, a third-year political science major, said the evening’s conversation included a diversity of viewpoints that contributed to constructive student dialogue at UCSB.
“I dare anyone to find anything that incorporates [all of the sponsors] working together in creating an event that encompassed a room that was over capacity and that had dialogue, not hate,” Mostafa said. “We were all able to get together as one to communicate with proper dialogue, enriching our campus climate.”
Campus Democrats Community Outreach Coordinator and Mixed Student Union Co-President Nicole Leopardo, a third-year political science major, said the event effectively addressed the inflammatory reactions Horowitz sought to elicit from his audience.
“A lot of Horowitz’s statements are not based on fact or logic … it’s like hate speech without any weight,” Leopardo said. “The last time he came, he made students cry and feel unsafe in a place they are supposed to be safe. It does not take someone insane at our campus for us to address these issues.”
Respect Coalition Outreach Committee Chair Danielle Bermudez, a second-year psychology and feminist studies major, said the alternative event allowed attendees to make a strong statement about the manner in which undergraduate funding is utilized.
“I am glad so many people came and participated in the dialogue,” Bermudez said. “Personally, I do not agree about [Horowitz’s] coming and I was extremely upset about the fact that he negatively targeted groups on campus and that my students fees were going towards that.”
In addition to promoting impartial campus dialogue, the event stimulated further attempts to foster student activism, Bermudez said.
“I am extremely hopeful for the future at UCSB and to see people working together towards equality and social justice issues,” Bermudez said. “I hope that the Respect Coalition continues to thrive and work on different events.”
Get it RESPECT Coalition!
That was one of the greatest events I’ve ever seen on this campus :)
Word.
This event became totally left wing, it was polarized, it became empower the minority voices. It furthered the problem that exists by tailoring itself to David Horowitz. I thought i was going to an alternative event, not the left wing liberal event vs. going to right wing conservative Horowitz. If I had know, I would have been against my organization supporting it, I support the condemnation of hate speech, not necessarily left wing liberals.
It was planned as such all along, J, just take a look at the speakers. Of course they’ll spin it as “non-political,” but Lipsitz lectures almost exclusively on labor unions and their political activities (and Flavor Flav saying “what time is it?”), and Elizabeth Robinson is the Stalin of KCSB. You can catch Elizabeth and her husband Cedric—author of a book called “Black Marxism”—on Goleta’s public access TV station every week with their radical take on international affairs.
Is there a problem with writing a book called “Black Marxism”? And I am pretty sure I am taking a class with Lipsitz right now about the civil rights movement, not Labor unions. No constructive dialogue can be had if people throw around descriptors like “Stalin” or “Nazi.” Since when is empowering minority voices liberal? Do conservatives not like to hear viewpoints from minorities? How is having muslims and Jews, professors and students, minorities and non-minorities discuss topics of race, speech, and hate be one sided? Because I know they disagreed on a few topics. And for the ‘liberal’ ideas… Read more »
There’s no problem with writing a book called “Black Marxism”, the issue is purporting that speakers of that background are capable of unifying “non-political” discourse, whereas speakers of Horowitz’s background speak on material that is manifestly “hate speech.”
Horowitz doesn’t delude himself into thinking his content is academic material suitable for a university course or department, either.
To J. I’m interested to know what organization you’re from that supported it. & i’m interested to know why you’re labeling everyone who attended it as ‘left wing liberals’. I’m wondering also, if you stayed for the entirety of the event + the open mic? Or even if you saw the diversity within the panelists? Please respond to my inquires. :)
Hey Danielle, I am from Santa Barbara Hillel and I was one of the last people there. I am not labeling those who attended left wing liberals, because i attended, but the event did not stay in the realm of just denouncing hate, and became a reactionary event against Horowitz. This happened perhaps without you expecting it, because some of the questions were polarizing questions. But look at your panel, George Lipsitz who is definitely left wing, even though I agree with much of what he has to say, Paul Amar, who was a bit arrogant and left wing, Elizabeth Robinson,… Read more »
I enjoyed the event, it did what it sought to do, inform and promote peace. I didnt find it left wing. But what’s really interesting is how conservatives rally behind that hate monger. I think it’s funny that people are complaining about a book called black Marxism when Horrowitz was one of the biggest supporters of the BLACK PANTHERS and praised Huey Newton, Cedric might have written a book called black marxism, but Horrowitz lived it.
I find it sort of hilarious seeing leftist groups — including feminists and gay coalitions – supporting the Palestinians. It shows a keen intelligence. Sarc/off.
If the Palestinians do get their state gays and feminists will be prime targets of that state just as they are in every Islamic state. But, hey, what do I care if people are so stupid as to support people who would destroy them if given half a chance.
Islam and diversity…cut through all the BS college posturing and this is what happens in the real world (the real world being about as remote from college campuses as one can get):
http://www.rightsidenews.com/201003088962/life-and-science/culture-wars/islam-is-incompatible-with-diversity.html
A few questions for the “Alternative” event folks: How much diversity of opinion was at your event? How many listeners challenged the panelists? Which event required the more security, yours or Horowitz’s? Which event met the most opposition to being held in the first place? Did any gays ask the panelists about treatment of gays under Islam-especially in Iran, where they are being hanged? Did any feminists raise the issue of honor killings and stonings at your event? Finally, do you really think you are getting a real education at UCSB (at least in the humanities) or just indoctrination? Gary… Read more »
They would be getting a real education if the following facts were taught instead of the make-believe opinions of scoial justice professors.
http://www.hudson-ny.org/1111/what-about-the-arab-apartheid
http://www.raymondibrahim.com/8348/muslims-project-islam-worst-traits-onto-israel
http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/06/why_islam_will_never_accept_th.html
But instead all these holier-tan-thou alterntaive types are sitting around holding hands and lying to one another. Somehow I guess that makes these holier-than-thou cowards feel more secure in their BS propaganda-filled world.
Gays and SJP walking hand in hand. If that’s not the most pathetic, stupid thing I’ve ever heard than what is?
Oh, I almost forgot, that would be feminists and MSA members walking hand in hand.
1. There could have been more diversity of opinion, but not all of the panelists agreed with each other. The two students were a girl from SJP and a guy from American Students for Israel to give you an example. 2. There were a couple of questions challenging the panelists and there would have been more probably if the panelists had kept their answers shorter. 3/4 Horowitz’s event required more security and received more opposition primarily because last time he came here he said “there is a movement for a second holocaust of the Jews being supported on this campus… Read more »