On Nov. 22, a select group of students and I had the opportunity of meeting Janet Napolitano. In retrospect, my biggest regret was sitting through a meeting that could possibly be interpreted as the student body legitimizing her appointment as UC President.
Most disappointing, though, was Janet Napolitano’s outright refusal to host a public forum for all students, choosing to instead meet discreetly with less than one percent of the UCSB student population. As students marched outside on Nov. 21 and 22 with the hopes of catching a glimpse of Janet Napolitano, it became more and more apparent that the voice of the students is not something she takes an interest in.
Our new UC President began with full control over the conversation and directed us to answer this question: “If you were the UC President and you were in my position, what issues would you prioritize?” This initially seemed like an ideal situation — a system controlled by the very people feeling the repercussions of massive tuition hikes and oppressive policies.
Yet as the meeting progressed, I became aware that Napolitano was giving no legitimacy to the students’ voices. Napolitano did not sympathize as students attempted to hold her accountable for her policies during her term as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, merely justifying her actions and policies instead of moving forward.
One student felt compelled to thank her for her “service” to this country — a privilege in itself. While she was building her reputation as Secretary of the DHS through her “service,” others who lived under her policies suffered the traumatic repercussions of countless deportations and unprecedented surveillance. While those who are privileged enough to live comfortably dared to thank Janet Napolitano for her “service,” other students bravely managed to come face-to-face with the human being that was responsible for the deportation of their own family members.
Hopes for a more affordable, accessible UC system under her leadership were completely shattered by the end of the meeting. Napolitano showcased her disregard for a tuition-free campus in accordance with the UC Master Plan, saying that hope for the “old model” was long gone.
The Master Plan, a very realistic and “tangible” action plan for the UC system, was drawn up in 1960. The idea of a free, accessible education for all Californians, regardless of race or class, became a force for change in society. However, this revolutionary plan for education — what should be the pinnacle of any democratic society — has been disregarded by UC Regents for decades and, as a result our university has turned into the privatized system we know all too well.
Indifference towards one of the most profound proposals for free and accessible education is only furthered by our Associated Students’ proposal to “re-envision” a Master Plan that would fix the failures of a broken system. What we have come to know is a UC system that has been increasingly privatized and is far from mirroring the demographics of the state. In fact, acceptance of various marginalized communities has stagnated or dropped at every UC campus in the past two decades.
Rather than receiving suggestions for a more accessible and equitable education system, Janet Napolitano’s interrogative demeanor pressured students to look for alternatives within their own pools of resources. This was particularly evident when asked about institutionalized retention centers and programs for struggling students of color. Her response, or lack thereof, led me to believe that this meeting was merely intended as a means to publicize her “accessibility” as the new UC President and to justify her crimes and policies of white supremacy under the Department of Homeland Security. Her failure to address the issues that students of color face with honesty is a reminder of her qualifications as a politician and not as an educator.
Another student brought up the negative effects of the increasing police presence on campus, an ironic remark, considering her extensive coordination with the police at that very meeting. Napolitano attributed the racial profiling and racism in the UCPD to the lack of “police training.” Yet she failed to mention that during her reign over the DHS, she led one of the most aggressive deportation efforts in the United States — a campaign that has made people across this country, and specifically on this campus, feel targeted and unsafe. Secure communities, the “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign and the aggressive border checkpoints are direct examples of her policies that promoted racial profiling.
It was not only her domestic policies that she justified — Napolitano failed to recognize the coerced compliance in policies of imperialism, violence and colonization abroad, which brings to question her role as a leader in a system intended to be critical of systems she has built her reputation off of. The meeting ended with students expressing personal recollections of feeling physically unsafe on this campus, led by organizations such as Stand With Us and the Anti-Defamation League. Yet Janet Napolitano avoided the question (a common trend during the meeting), referencing instead her preference for “free speech” in these situations.
I left the meeting feeling further marginalized and angry, but mostly disappointed. Any preconceived notion of higher learning in the UC system was diminished. I came to this campus hoping to be educated on issues plaguing various communities in this country. Instead, I give legitimacy to government practices through Janet Napolitano, I invest in the military and prison industrial complex and I am entangled in two of the largest nuclear weapons facilities in the United States. We hope to leave college with a diploma and decolonized minds, but we sometimes forget the true privilege and responsibility of being a part of such a prestigious university. Janet Napolitano’s appointment is just another way in which the UC system has legitimized white supremacist, racist and imperialist policies. We can no longer be compliant with the institution that is meant to educate and decolonize, which is why the resignation of Janet Napolitano is the only right answer.
Kat A. is a fourth-year political science major.
It appears to me that the U.C. is a proto-fascist, union busting, undemocratic cabal run for the benefit of UC administrators, Wall Street and the nuclear weapons industry by the wealthy power elite including Janet Napolitano, Richard Blum, Russell Gould, Charlene Zettel, Sherry L. Lansing and the UC Regents.
I am constantly amazed everyday by how wonderful Katlen is. Her words are like magic and I can’t understand why napolitano did not fall under her spell. This article is fantastic and really illustrates the fact that napolitano does not care about the students.
I had to take a break halfway through this article because I was so overwhelmed by the power of Katlen’s words. I agree I have no idea how Napolitano could not be entranced, I sure as heck couldn’t resist Katlen’s brilliance! This article really refocuses what it means to be a student at a UC for me. Thank you Katlen, for clarifying my life with the glow of your intellect!
I, too, had my breath taken away by Katlen’s words. I stopped at paragraph three and had to lie down for a moment before I could finish. An entirely new plane of reality was opened for me. It was transcendent. Almost too powerful. I’m still coping. It was a lot like that scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
I hope the Board of Regents read these words and really think about what they have done. Hopefully Katlen’s very insightful commentary will encourage these members to march to Governor Brown and the State Legislature and make some serious changes. We have started a movement here, people. Perhaps our own representatives here on campus can make some changes as well that can stop this divide between the students and the institution once and for all. Chancellor Yang: tear down this wall!
Hi, also a Katlen fan here. Just wanted to say we need more heroes like Katlen. I’m tired of people sugar-coating it. The appointment of Napolitano was an egregious error. Like, even in the dining commons things are not the same. Now, I ask you: Who will fight for America? Katlen, that’s who!
KATLEN ABU ATA FOR UC PRESIDENT
I love Katlen more than I already did. Didn’t think that was possible. Wow. Truth to Power.
– Your #1
I feel like Katlen could be the one I’m looking for. I have never felt this way about an article before. The way she stitches her words together like she is making an angry tapestry of justice turns me on like no other. I want to sit with her by a fireplace and just the let the warmth of her words envelope me. I want to be the frosting on her cake of existential thought. I want to be the hammer she uses to smash patriarchy and white supremacy. Katlen if you are reading this, please email SexyDabkeSuperstar@yahoo.com
Woah this great. I like ways she words. Together we can. Happy america. Hope change. This is what DAMNocracy looks like. Yay
I can not believe that one of the greatest and finest newspaper sources in AMERICA, the daily nexus, would publish communist writings like this. I am a real American PATRIOT and I am tired of seeing hippie liberal indoctrination in newspapers that are paid for by HARDWORKING TAXPAYERS. This article was so radical and anti-FREEDOM that I couldn’t even use the remnants of the newspaper to line my pet BALD EAGLE’s 100% made in america bird cage. Where are the articles about APPLE PIE? Editors of the Nexus, I beg of you to restore sanity to your college campus. Please,… Read more »
Whoa, Opposite of Katlen Fan. You need to chill out. Bald Eagles can sense stress and it’s not good for their health. Maybe you missed the point of Katlen’s piece. She was refraining from using incendiary language and talking to her peers in a very mature and respectful way. She assumed only the best in others and has allowed for sensible dialogue. She wants to avoid the name-calling and strawman arguments that have plagued our democracy for generations. She doesn’t want to derail efforts made by other organizations and representatives who have been working on this issue since before she… Read more »
I can sense that you are WHITE and WHOLESOME. Please come back to the NORMAL side. We are losing all of our people to immigrants and we NEED you. I miss the days of SUBURBIA and LEMONADE. Katlenfanpagemoderator, you have the chance to bring that back. Please consider putting down that keyboard and peppermint mocha, and pick up a GUN and a draft BEER. This is the COLD WAR 2.0 and we need SOLDIERS.
Actually, I’m Latino. But you’re welcome to troll and continue seeing the world in black and white, my friend.
How can the UC’s master plan wording of “regardless of race” make any sense with “programs for struggling students of color.” To do the second you must have regard for race.
I “dared” to thank her for her service to the country. That was me. She worked under and for the elected government of the people led by a popular president. You disagree and even hate the policy that she used while in office, fine that is your privilege… Now, let’s address an issue that I keep seeing surface in the Daily Nexus and in the words some of our peers continue to use. I was there speaking for Student Veterans, not my own political agenda. If your attack on me was because you decided to take a look at my… Read more »
Thank you for personally addressing some of Abu Ata’s assumptions. She owes you an apology.
To me, the article was a superficial amalgamation of bits and pieces snagged from certain courses taught on campus, with a gross misunderstanding of Napolitano’s role at the meeting, in her current position, and as DHS.
Paul is right. Activism that serves more as a cheerleading exercise accomplishes nothing. Propose an alternate plan to something you dislike. Don’t just be a naysayer.
Sir, I salute you.
I wish I could have a recording of all the brilliant things you say, Katlen, so I can fall asleep to the waves of revolution that your voice produces. Or better yet, I wish you could be there every night to lull me to sleep with the eye-opening hymns of your truthful words. I feel that if everyone heard the words of this bright angel at least once a day, the world would be a better place.
PLZ MARRY ME!! I LUV U
Katlen this is amazing you have pointed out everything wrong with our UC what with the regents deciding to appoint WHITE SUPREMACIST! Lol they only care about research and funding for their experiments. Don’t they know to just stop being institutionalized racism and white privilege and make the government change all of its immigration policies? Isn’t that what a university is when this lady doesn’t coddle me I feel as if my poorly substantiated and vague statements are invalidated
One person totally wrote all or most all of the positive comments for this article….classy.
I agree with you 100%, fellow YANKEE. Its definitely obvious that this is some socialist scheme to take over the GOVERNMENT. This is AMERICA, not the fascist Europe that Katlen strives for. I’m tired of youth writing articles about nonsense. Does she even remember the greatness of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR? I have been non-stop crying over my beautiful gold-plated copy of the CONSTITUTION because this article signals that American documents don’t matter anymore. Do you remember when this was the LAND OF THE FREE? Now the only things that I have to keep me going is my dog named SPOT,… Read more »
^Tool.
Nah, I wrote half of them. A few are legitimately from that portion of UCSB activism that thinks yelling at people and calling them racist can actually create change. You know, the whole us versus them mentality that never accomplishes anything. My KatlenFan posts if you look very each have one line that shows I think this woman is a bit too full of herself. The world seems so small when you are 21 and live in Isla Vista…
“the student body legitimizing her appointment as UC President.” Because she needs our legitimization? “outright refusal to host a public forum for all students” Oh yeah, that worked so well with divestment, I can’t imagine WHY in the world Napolitano would only want to talk to a few student representatives rather than have hundreds of social justice warriors come and rage against her and stop all productive discussion! “Napolitano did not sympathize as students attempted to hold her accountable for her policies during her term as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security…” And up until this point, I was… Read more »
Dude you seriously need help with your women issues… Wtf was that at the end
I’m just saying, if Napolitano was a man they’d be whining about “sexism” along with “racism” and “imperialism” and all that. And if she was black, they might leave out the “white supremacist” part. These people claim to want more women and minorities in politics. But when a woman, or a member of a minority group, says something they don’t like, they stop supporting that person. Kind of points to what I’ve been saying all along – that the candidate’s policies are more important than gender or race, and that we should be selecting our politicians based on what they… Read more »
You’re the one that said Abu Ata “should” support Napolitano because she is a woman. She never mentioned the fact. Are you going to consider the argument as it is here published or as a construction of your personal campaign against some nebulous “they”? And Napolitano has stated that she is not lesbian, yet another remark revealing your own biases. All I see here is wee-minded generalization and strawmen, unfortunate detractors from your valid (albeit tired and obvious) points in the original comment.
I said that she “should” support Napolitano by the standards of the social justice warrior, who is always cheering when a woman takes office, or a black man,or whatever – so long as they agree with them. None of the social justice warriors were saying “Oh, how awesome, a woman!” when it was Palin or Bachmann, or “Oh, how awesome, a black man!” when it was Cain or Clarence Thomas. (I think all those people are idiots, don’t get me wrong.) But they constantly played the “get women and minorities in politics” game with Obama and Hillary. If Napolitano were… Read more »
Probably feeding a troll, but I’ll bite once more: Michelle Bachman, Clarence Thomas? These are the decoys put up by anti-“SJW”‘s, or would you like to explain why all of your examples are from the radical Conservative/ Republican party? All of your “argument” has been invented generalizations pulled out of your ass with a galling lack of subtlety, characteristic of a child who gets all his/her opinions from a few talking heads. And with regards to the comment below, why do you feel your masculinity has been attacked? Do you realize it’s possible to have a relationship with a female… Read more »
I shall mull over your questions. It shall be a deep and life-changing intellectual exercise. Although you’re right to stop the conversation right now, if we continued it would probably be one letter per line before long.
You have serious issues.
Have you ever had a positive relationship with a female before? Don’t B.S me.
Plenty. But I love how the social justice warriors are so quick to attack the masculinity of any male who disagrees with them. Just goes to show, all your crap about how you want to break the “gender binary” belongs in the toilet too.
Jasson,
My brother is a right-wing blogger. He hasn’t been able to hold down a job for years, and mostly just stays home and rants on the Internet about “liberals” and “progressives” while our parents pay his bills.
Your stuff reminds me of his.
I’m not a right winger. In fact, I participated in the Occupy movement two years ago. What drew me to liberalism? The notion that we’re all inherently equal, and there don’t have to be “winners” and “losers” (which I perceived libertarianism/conservatism to be all about – the winners trampling the losers.) What made me start questioning liberalism? The realization that liberals are no better. You’re not all inclusive, you’re not all about helping everyone, you’re more liable to call a political enemy a “loser” (and use the same parasite imagery that conservatives use all the time) than you are to… Read more »
While I don’t feel that this is a particularly well written article and felt that it was ridiculous to keep tying in Napolitano’s politics when the writer should have focused instead on her impact on the UC system, I don’t feel that I should be “cheering for the first female president of the UC System”. Napolitano has, among other things, supported pay raises for over 30 UC Regents that now receive higher annual pay than the President of the United States. She supports this while faculty and staff are laid off and take pay cuts, while classes are cut and… Read more »
Oh, come on, I do a stellar take down of this whole stupid article, and everyone attacks me for a slightly facetious point I made at the end? If Napolitano is hiking the salaries of regents, that’s a genuine concern and one worth discussing. So why aren’t we having THAT discussion, instead of being forced to listen to incessant moans from the UCSB Thought Police about how scary big bad Janet is because she oversaw some deportations in a position completely removed from the one she’s in now? Talking about Napolitano’s policies seems far more fruitful than all this ad… Read more »
The Regents don’t get paid (and there are not 30 of them).
Bylaw 8.1 Compensation of Regents.
No Regent shall receive salary or other compensation for services as a Regent nor shall any Regent other than the President of the University be eligible for appointment to any position in connection with the University for which a salary or other compensation is paid, provided, however, that the student Regent shall not be deemed ineligible for part-time compensated University employment.
Narrow-minded fool.
^That comment wasn’t me. (Daily Nexus comment system sucks, anyone can choose any name…)
When you have to impersonate your opponent to make them look stupid, that’s how you know you’re fighting for the side of truth and justice! Keep it going, guys…
Lol good you pointed that out…I was thinking “This guy is even more of a dumbo than I originally suspected!” The only other alternative for a comment system would be linked through Facebook/Google/ect, and it’s usually interesting to see the opinions of people who aren’t worried about protecting their identity. There have been quite a few as far as I’ve noticed, and there usually aren’t this many comments
?? What is so bad about deporting illegal immigrants?
Oh my god, the comments on this article make me lose pretty much all faith in the UCSB community. You go, Abu Ata.