Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Meanwhile at Saddleback: "the hand of hate cannot compete "



This email was sent out to the Saddleback College community today:
Campus colleagues and students:
We are responding to a finding of hate vandalism on our campus. This morning we discovered that someone had written the “N” word in large, chalk letters on a concrete side wall of the LRC. It has been removed, but I share this finding with you so that you can hear the following directly from me:
We will not tolerate hate on this campus. No matter who you are, where you come from, the color of your skin, the shape of your nose or eyelid, who you love or how you’re different, you are part of our campus. You don’t just belong here; you are who we are and why we are here. Saddleback is Saddleback because of you.
The people who speak hate do not speak for others, as they sometimes think or suggest. Their views are not shared. They are alone, frightened and angry at a world that has moved beyond hate. The more we march forward, the more chalk we will see. But the hand of hate cannot compete with the 1400 employees and 26,000 students of Saddleback, cleaning rags in hand, ensuring that our love of mission and students will turn hate to dust. Every time.
1 hater. 27,000 to wipe away the hate.

Elliot
Dr. Elliot Stern
President, Saddleback College

A swift (and powerfully lyrical) response from President Stern.

Meanwhile, readers might remember former IVC President Glenn Roquemore's rather slow and vague response last year to various acts of vandalism, including the appearance of swastikas:

The Nothing that is Done: Swastikas Come to IVC

13 Days and Counting

Roquemore: A Failure to Lead

That was then, this is now.

Just today Rebel Girl was holding forth about the infamous "same-sex flier" of the 90s, sharing that instructive story with a relatively junior faculty member.

So Stern's inclusive rhetoric is especially welcome: "No matter who you are, where you come from, the color of your skin, the shape of your nose or eyelid, who you love or how you’re different, you are part of our campus."

What a difference 23 years - and new, brave, responsible leadership - make.

As the Saddleback colleague who shared Stern's letter remarked: "Refreshing."

Indeed.
*

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Stern is a class act.

Anonymous said...

If only we had such a President!

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, GR did not have the intellectual fortitude, temperament, or empathy to communicate effectively with the college community. What makes Stern's letter so effective and powerful is that he is speaking DIRECTLY to the campus community, and especially to students. He is not just saying that these acts will not be tolerated. He is directing his words to reassure and comfort all of us affected by these cowardly acts. He is also defiant and resolute in speaking directly to the perpetrators. His warmth, humanity,compassion, and strong resolve will always be remembered.

Anonymous said...

I was on a shared governance committee at that same time that was discussing approving that same issue at the District. It was a WTF moment for me.

Anonymous said...

10:26 again - It was the same sex benefits issue.

Roy's obituary in LA Times and Register: "we were lucky to have you while we did"

  This ran in the Sunday December 24, 2023 edition of the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register : July 14, 1955 - November 20, 2...