Spring Break
UNM will not tolerate acts of racism or xenophobia
Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Editor,
We wish to respond to the recent incident involving the desecration of the Mexican national flag that was raised Friday on the south side of Scholes Hall.
The incident is still being investigated, but what we do know at this point is that after a ceremony celebrating the Mexican independence day - Dieciseis de Septiembre - the flag that was raised during the celebration was subsequently taken down and, as we understand it, ripped to shreds.
We understand that a suspect has been apprehended by the police, but the investigation is still ongoing at this time. We want it to be understood that the flag desecration is abhorrent to President David Schmidly and everyone in the administration.
In light of incidents that have taken place in the past several days involving students being targeted because of their race or nationality, we want it to be known that UNM will not tolerate acts of racism and xenophobia. These incidents will be answered with disciplinary and/or legal action against the responsible individuals. The person who perpetrated this despicable act will answer for it.
We wish to offer apologies on behalf of UNM to the Mexican Consul to New Mexico, Juan Manuel Solano; to the Mexican Student Association; to all Mexican nationals who have been affected by this deplorable act; and to anyone else who has been adversely affected by this incident. Please know we are doing everything in our power to make sure this act will be sternly
addressed.
Rita Martinez-Purson
Interim Vice President,
Institutional Diversity
Cheo Torres
Vice President
for Student Affairs
We wish to respond to the recent incident involving the desecration of the Mexican national flag that was raised Friday on the south side of Scholes Hall.
The incident is still being investigated, but what we do know at this point is that after a ceremony celebrating the Mexican independence day - Dieciseis de Septiembre - the flag that was raised during the celebration was subsequently taken down and, as we understand it, ripped to shreds.
We understand that a suspect has been apprehended by the police, but the investigation is still ongoing at this time. We want it to be understood that the flag desecration is abhorrent to President David Schmidly and everyone in the administration.
In light of incidents that have taken place in the past several days involving students being targeted because of their race or nationality, we want it to be known that UNM will not tolerate acts of racism and xenophobia. These incidents will be answered with disciplinary and/or legal action against the responsible individuals. The person who perpetrated this despicable act will answer for it.
We wish to offer apologies on behalf of UNM to the Mexican Consul to New Mexico, Juan Manuel Solano; to the Mexican Student Association; to all Mexican nationals who have been affected by this deplorable act; and to anyone else who has been adversely affected by this incident. Please know we are doing everything in our power to make sure this act will be sternly
addressed.
Rita Martinez-Purson
Interim Vice President,
Institutional Diversity
Cheo Torres
Vice President
for Student Affairs
Anonymous posts are no longer allowed. They will not show up.
You must be logged in to post!
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 28
Henry Guerra
posted 9/19/07 @ 8:06 PM MST
As a Mexican American, and student attending the University of California, I was appalled to read about the desecration of the Mexican national flag on a day of great pride. (Continued…)
eurhenry
Henry Guerra
posted 9/19/07 @ 8:11 PM MST
As a Mexican American, and student attending the University of California, I was appalled to read about the desecration of the Mexican national flag on a day of great pride. (Continued…)
Big Bill
posted 9/20/07 @ 6:27 AM MST
It is unlawful to steal or vandalize other people's property. The owner of the Mexican flag has a right to sue the guy and the police can charge him for violating the owner's property rights (i. (Continued…)
Nessus
Ray
posted 9/20/07 @ 11:47 AM MST
To those who are confused or weak-willed, I offer this reminder: This is not Mexico. Mexico is famous as a highly segregated, ethno-biased, even racist country, which enforces it's borders and immigration laws and it's flag, with strong fervor. (Continued…)
Justa Thought
Justa Thought
posted 9/20/07 @ 5:29 PM MST
Since when is it a crime to be a patriotic American?
Just because we got *INVADED* doesn't mean we have to like it or tolerate it. We hate it.
Hispanics/Latinos and Ukrainians and Chinese and Indians are ALL invited to become LEGAL citizens. (Continued…)
Ernest
Ernest
posted 9/20/07 @ 7:27 PM MST
"about the desecration of the Mexican national flag on a day of great pride."
Great pride to whom???? Not Americans.
Jonathan
posted 9/20/07 @ 7:27 PM MST
It would be nice if, once you are finished kissing mexico's butt, you would offer apologies to the men and women who have paid the ultimate price since the founding of our nation to put the US flag atop that flagpole. (Continued…)
James Polk
posted 9/20/07 @ 10:41 PM MST
If Mexicans love Mexico so much let them go live there. Otherwise they need to take more pride in the USA which respects their rights and provides them with greater economic opportunity than their precious Mejico ever did. (Continued…)
Scott JS
Scott JS
posted 9/21/07 @ 3:39 AM MST
Are President David Schmidly and Rita Martinez-Purson so out of touch with current immigration events in this country that they didn?t expect a reaction when a Mexican flag was flown on an American campus? If so, they should probably be looking for jobs elsewhere, like Mexico. (Continued…)
Boris Gault
posted 9/21/07 @ 7:41 AM MST
Guerra,
The only appalling thing is the nerve of a bunch of belligerent radicals to give their third-world flag primacy over that of the host country. (Continued…)
Post a Comment