A major problem with student government now is that it is being hijacked by conservative ideologues that are seeking only to carry out their agenda. They are attacking the student body and its diverse organizations because their ideology views them as being on the other team with ideas that cut into their own and are different from their own worldview.
Conservatives attack any student funding because their ideology says their position in the world would be better if diverse organizations did not have funding to exist. Conservatives are attacking diverse orgs specifically because they associate multicultural groups with grassroots struggles and social movements that raise consciousness and confront power, and they do not want any questioning, critical examination or threat to their dominant position in the world.
Because of their elite economic and social status, conservatives represent only their extremely small statistical demographic, and impose their decisions on everyone else. They represent no one but their own selfishness. Their attacks are obviously racially motivated; otherwise Arron Werner would not have included his phrase \Fuck the White Boy"" in his editorial. He may not have included this in his ""official"" reason for defunding MEChA, but it was his tool and tactic to cause a question of legitimacy with the white ""liberal"" status quo of this campus so he can better carry out his war on true diversity.
Conservatives have an ideology that doesn't understand the importance of having organizations that legitimately welcome minorities who are alienated by our overwhelmingly racially and ethnically homogenous campus.
While the university is only employing the buzzword ""diversity"" wherever it can to achieve political correctness, these student groups are there with backing from the student body to provide a genuine source of support, camaraderie and a common space for students whose identity is drowned out by what our campus remains to be. The support, camaraderie and space that our diverse multicultural student organizations allow students to share in creates a less threatening environment and often empowers them to remain apart of our larger student body and be active in that student body.
These organizations provide information and educational events for all students. I have been to educational events sponsored by MCSC in their office, and they've made their space available to my own student org's event. Last Monday I attended the celebration of Mexico's independence day'celebrated by MEChA. I learned about the history of Mexico's independence from Spain and how that event bonded a people. I observed a dance of Aztec warriors and was treated to a Mexican dish. This happens no where else on campus and wouldn't have happened without students organizing through MEChA. Beyond that, these organizations advocate for policies that benefit us all like lower tuition and improved access to college.
Finally, in a society that needs a constant and ongoing examination of what it means to be of a certain class, race, gender and sexual orientation these groups provide a presence that would not otherwise exist. The presence is vital because it says not just to students of color but to all students on campus, ""We are here because we need to be here, because of what it has meant and still means to be person of color, a queer or a women in America. We are students, student run and for a diverse and accepting campus and world. See our truth, see our anger, see our beauty, see our humanity and be a better human being because of it.""
Restore full funding now!
