Everyone has heard it at some point: “I hate political correctness.” Usually it’s intertwined with an anti-censorship, pro-freedom of speech rhetoric to truly villainize people who are just too “PC.” In reality, to be PC is to take into account how one’s words can and do affect other people in often irreparable ways. Surely freedom of speech … [Read more...] about Think first, speak second, be considerate
racism
Rethink reverse racism
Whether or not reverse racism exists is simply a semantic issue. People tend to think that “racist” and “prejudiced” are synonymous terms. They’re not. Any person can be prejudiced against any group. It would be foolish to think that no white person has ever felt hostility due to the color of his or her skin. Prejudices exist, and some people can, and do, feel less than … [Read more...] about Rethink reverse racism
Fight on for the dream
Dear fellow Pepperdine students: While I am not confined in a jail, like the one Martin Luther King Jr. sat in 51 years ago, the sentiments that were expressed in his famed “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” still ring true today. It is because of this that I know that we, as a society, are still confined behind the perpetual bars of racism that King fought against. Even … [Read more...] about Fight on for the dream
Remember the meaning of ‘American’
Last Sunday saw the coronation of the new Miss America, Nina Davuluri. Competing as Miss New York, she is the first woman of Indian descent to win the Miss America crown. Her beauty, humor and delightful Bollywood dance routine were enough to win the award, but this celebration quickly turned sour as racists from different corners of America felt compelled to make their bigoted … [Read more...] about Remember the meaning of ‘American’
A is for Asian, and S is for stereotype
The annoyance started on my first day back from winter break. On my journey back to Malibu from Shanghai, I suffered an unexpected delay. After emailing my professors explaining that I might not show up for my first classes, I arrived just in time for my 8 a.m., exhausted. As we went around the room and made our introductions, I managed to clear my throat and say, “I’m … [Read more...] about A is for Asian, and S is for stereotype
