Post corrected for SA election mistake

UWM Post staff should be commended on the extensive coverage of important campus concerns seen in their April 16 issue, but a minor clarification is necessary. A Post article (“UWM students protest budget policy”), mistakenly stated both that a “Pro-Student Rally” highlighting democratic and financial problems in the Student Association was solely a project of Students for a Democratic Society and that student government presidential candidate Carlo Albano is a member of SDS. Neither is true. In actuality, members of Students for a Democratic Society, LINKS, the Black Student Union, CVSL, Women“s Resource Center, Ecotone, the Latino Student Union and College Democrats, Albano“s independent party and others jointly organized and took part in the rally. So, what“s so important about a name? The importance is that in the events leading up to this year“s student government elections, the manipulation of names has been a tactic used to prevent UWM students from making informed choices when electing their representatives. The first example of name manipulation in this year“s election came last month when Tobin Huibregtse, member of the Students United for Change party (SUFC), created a dummy political party named “Campus Democracy Coalition.” The “Campus Democracy Coalition” name was co-opted because it is recognized both on campus and in the Milwaukee community as belonging to the group of students that brought the alleged theft of $10,000 by a student government official to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel“s attention on Oct. 26 of last year. SUFC“s opposition in this year“s election, Albano, was the leader of the Campus Democracy Coalition. Huibregtse has been an influential member of UWM student government from before the time, from the alleged theft to the present. His central role in attempting to de-fund the LGBT Center, LINKS, the Women“s Resource Center and the Center for Volunteerism and Leadership was also one of the main criticisms of the students that organized the “Pro-Student Rally.” The second example of name manipulation came more recently when under suspicious circumstances UWM“s Independent Election Commissioner Ada Hyso refused to allow the name “Milwaukee Panther Party” (headed by Albano and Albulena Shabani), to appear on this year“s ballot.
Despite handing in over 500 signatures and lodging complaints to ensure that all students“ signatures were counted, Hyso recognized only 449 “ one signature shy of the required 450. As a result, Panther Party students must run this year separately as “independents.” Student democracy at UWM has been degenerated by actions like those of Huibregtse and Hyso to the point that even single words are manipulated to misinform and confuse the student body. What UWM needs are honest, committed representatives who can ensure that the principles of student democracy and shared governance are valued enough in our student government for it to live up to its own name.

Antonio Ramirez

Bigotry within University Housing

A friend of mine who is an ally to the LGBT community was participating in an event held by University Housing last week called “Panther Idol.” It“s a singing competition for residents of Sandburg Halls and the person who wins receives an iPod and the opportunity to record a track at a local recording studio. The event was a lot of fun and those that watch American Idol understand that some singing can result in harsh judgment. For the entire evening, the judges were poking fun at the contestants, at one point calling one of the better singers “the next Jeffrey Dahmer” and later telling a woman “you would have won me over had you dressed a little sexier.” I understand that the recording industry is a competitive business and it calls for appearances to be unique, fresh and hip. At one point, I had to walk out of the room. A judge (named Irin Johnson from Trio Records) told my friend “I guess all the fags live in West Tower.” He said this after Tim Ostreich, (my friend), spat an insult right back at the judge in regards to the outfit the judge was wearing. There was nothing else I could do in that situation; I had never heard language like that before at a public event from one of the presenters, especially not at a university. I cannot blame the individual that organized the event, because it was entertaining and a wholesome good time. However, it seems University Housing clearly did not play any role in telling this individual what behavior is deemed appropriate and what is not. Aside from that, Kelly Johnson (the assistant director of University Housing, who was another judge), did not escort the individual out of the building as soon as it was said. I do not care if they wanted to avoid a scene, but calling someone a fag is not the type of language that should be accepted in public areas as appropriate commentary. By not escorting the individual out of the building, they tolerated the use of the language, and let it slide. I am tired of these words of hate being tolerated in public settings. Why can“t “fag” be as unacceptable as the n-word? They are both words of power that are used to oppress individuals simply because of who they are. They are words with completely different meanings to different groups of people. But that“s not my argument and that“s not my point. The man that made the comment was a man who I am sure has been victimized by racism and hatred for being African-American at some point in his life, if not every day. What I do not understand is how minority groups cut each other down, when they should be helping each other up. I realize that I am a very sensitive person, but I am a very proud gay man. Statistically, there was an individual in that audience who is closeted in fear of not being accepted by society for who they are. Irin Johnson of Trio Records made it that much harder for “person X” in the audience to feel they are welcome to come out of the closet. Though he apologized for offending audience members, he did not apologize for his actions. I do not expect him to check into rehab like Isaiah Washington. I just want people to wake up and to realize what is and what is not acceptable language. “That“s gay” is not OK. Put yourself in someone else“s shoes for once; it“s the golden rule. Respect is not something people have to earn, but it has become something people feel the need to fight for.

Robby Schuettpelz

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