politics

Alumnus here. The engineering school (HSSEAS) just sent out an embarrassingly milquetoast statement on the whole clusterfuck. Here is my response, in the event that anyone cares:

Not sure if anyone reads replies to this address, but in the event they do:

I shall be blunt: Precisely none of your statement addresses the root cause of the issue.

Pointedly, identifying and addressing root causes to the greatest and most effective extent possible is a logical razor that I first learned to apply with some level of skill at UCLA. I have come to rely on this skill as a core part of my identity as both an engineer, as well as a human.

I am absolutely appalled at and furious with the way the administration has handled the situation - particularly, the comically biased and flagrantly militaristic stance the LAPD took towards the protesters, while effectively giving the counter protestors carte blanche.

I’ll be clear: backstopping, even indirectly (though this was a rather direct example), the obviously genocidal policies of Israel towards the Palestinian population of Gaza is the sort of thing that irreconcilably conflicts with my ethics and morals. I view this on the same level as white supremacy, and - yes - the holocaust. Israel is not synonymous with Jewish people. Attacking or marginalizing Jewish people is not and was never the point of the protests. The fact that the administration continues to fail to understand this, in my opinion, manifestly disqualifies them from holding any leadership position at the university, and forces me to fundamentally question the ethical principles that the University claims to hold so dear.

As a result, until and unless the UCLA administrators involved in these policies are dismissed, I intend to discourage my family, friends, and professional network from attending, donating to, or interacting with UCLA in any fashion.

It pains me to do this. I’m not trying to flex any connections I may or may not have here. I am doing this because I am doing my best to be a conscientious human. I do still believe that UCLA, despite its flaws, is an excellent university, and I am grateful for the academic foundation, friendships, and connections I gained while I attended - (omitted for privacy). I also realize that HSSEAS administration may not, in fact, agree with the University administration (and indeed, if that is the case, I implore you to issue a statement to that effect).

But I cannot stay silent in the face of a genocide that the world is watching play out in real time, and that the University appears to at least passively accept (though the police response indicates something far darker than that). 

This is the action I feel I must take in response.

Most Sincerely and Regretfully,

(sign-off omitted for privacy)