HE FOUGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY ... BUT HE'S NOT WORTHY.

[Bill V]

Dale, are you really wanting to draw analogies between racial diversity, AIDS, and cancer; and flat-out calling it "a problem"???

 

[Dale Carter]

My point was that congratulating the citizens of Wisconsin for great race relations is like congratulating me for beating AIDS and cancer because Wisconsin residents have not had to deal with racial diversity and I have not had to fight AIDS or cancer.



I was explicit that they haven't had to fight race problems and implicit that I have never had AIDS or cancer, therefore neither of us should be congratulated for beating either problem.

 

[Bill V]

Dale, it's not about quantity, but quality. It doesn't matter what percentage of your neighbors are of other races than yourself, what matters is how you treat them. And Wisconsinites, in general, treat members of races other than their own better than the residents of pretty much any other state I've visited. (And I'm not just talking about how whites treat non-whites. This also includes how non-whites treat whites, and how non-whites treat other non-white races.)

 

[Dale Carter]

Bill V - This discussion began with my point that Wisconsin is not diverse and that is ENTIRELY about numbers. If you don't believe that, look at how "diversity" is expressed in schools, businesses, colleges and any other group. By any measure of ethnicity, Wisconsin is not diverse.



I think it most certianly is about quantity. Until you have lived with significant numbers of other races, and Wisconsin does not meet that on any level, the beliefs and behaviours have not been thoroughly tested. I can drink two shots of tequila and not be as affected as if I drink four. My perception of tequila would change dramatically if I drank 10 shots. I might like it better, but probably would not. i would also become aware, over a lifetime of drinking different tequilas, that some are better than others.



I may think that Yugos are great cars, because I had one or two that were good. My opinion would be valid, but not based on complete experience.



Maybe those are weak analogies.



Again, I want to be clear, I am not in any way trying to diminish the people of Wisconsin. Simply pointing out that thier attitudes are shaped directly by their environment, as are mine.

 

[Dale Carter]

A response from the President of the U of W Students Association



Aside from his weasel word defense of the girls statements, not sure how they can be taken out of context or be merely poor choice of words, he did respond and he did try to provide more info.

Dale Carter,



As student body president I hope I can answer some of your concerns. I respect our military and our veterans that is why I co-sponsored the original resolution. As student body president that should indicate that the community at large wants to honor veterans. Colonel Boyington and others should be honored.



As for Jill Edwards, she has definitely realized the impact of how she worded her stance, and I think I speak for her when I say she is sorry for any insult you felt from her choice of words. Furthermore, she is an individual and did not find much support for what she said. (The chair had to quiet a crowd uproar afterward.) That is not recorded in the minutes.



Ashley Miller was citing a previous issue that was prominent on campus last year. For your reference, http://www.washington.edu/alumni/columns/sept05/commonground_letters.html . Regardless of Boyington’s heritage, it is impossible to discuss memorials now without acknowledging that recent past. She never meant it as a point against Boyington, which I am sure is difficult to access. As recorded in the minutes, there is an error, she never said “we already have enough” she said that there were many that were there as a point of fact.



In the end, losing by one vote, it was not statements that were poorly said that disrespected the military that caused this bill to fail. After talking with a number of senators I have found that many of them were concerned that it was just Colonel Boyington and wanted other veterans to be included. It was discovered after more research by the sponsor that 4 others were awarded Medal of Honors. A student made a comment on why it was just Colonel Boyington at the meeting. This statement has seldom been highlighted yet it resonated more than the others did in my opinion. I believe it failed for lack of inclusion. The main sponsor, myself, and others, are very confident that a new resolution will be able to pass that is inclusive of the other 4. For your reference, http://senate.asuw.org/legislation/12/R/R-12-26.html This was drafted over the following weeks as we looked into the alumni who had earned this distinction and will be amended to include a newly discovered fifth.



The university gives us the autonomy in order to promote dialogue and discourse in the interest of answering the questions and issues of our society. That is how individuals learn and how they reach the right conclusions. I remain confident that the new resolution will pass and that this university will honor the Medal of Honor winners who have gone here. I think students are reaching a greater understanding of what memorials mean and the sacrifices the individuals have made on behalf of us. In the process mistakes and statements that cause an uproar are made but through it all I always believe the best conclusion will be made. If you have further concerns, questions, or comments I welcome them.



Sincerely,



Lee Dunbar











Lee M. Dunbar

President

Associated Students of the University of Washington

[email protected]

HUB 104C Box 352238 Seattle, WA 98195-2238