April 26, 2017
Dear Dr Parham et al
My name is Gary Fouse, and I am a former part-time teacher
in the UC Irvine Extension (1998-2016). Last week, I attended an event
sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs “New Narratives” program and the
Cross Cultural Center. It was entitled “Standing
Rock Is Everywhere” and consisted of several panelists, who spoke not only
about the Standing Rock pipeline issue but many other issues as well. Frankly,
I was appalled at the negative perspectives given to UCI students by these
speakers as it pertains to our country and our society (as well as Canada). Given
the fact that the event was sponsored by the university, I wonder whether UCI
was putting its official imprimatur on the views expressed.
I fully understand the dark chapters in our nation’s history
and am old enough to remember some of them. I also understand the first
amendment right of those speakers to express their opinions. But I do not share
the negative opinions expressed toward our country as it is today or some of
our leaders who were mentioned. For example, I do not believe Attorney General
Jeff Sessions is a racist as was implied by one of the speakers.
I also found it offensive that a panelist (Janaya Khan) who
has just moved to the US from Canada would open her remarks by saying that “she
had picked the wrong time to move south of the border” then go on to trash this
country. I also found the expression she used, “Christian patriarchy” equally
offensive. I could go on, but you can read my reactions in full at the below
link.
My real purpose in writing, however, is to inquire whether
the “New Narratives” program has in the past or is willing in the future to sponsor
a speaker or speakers with a more positive perspective on America as well as
provide opposing viewpoints on the North Dakota pipeline and other issues
brought up by your panel covered in the above event. I should add that I posed
this question to Dr Abby Reyes before I left the event. While I don’t feel I
got a particularly clear answer, she informed me that New Narratives was set up
after the unfortunate “black face” incident on campus a couple of years back
and was designed to give a voice to “marginalized students”. She also told me
that suggested speakers are considered by a New Narratives panel and referred
me to the vice chancellor’s office for further information.
Therefore, in the interest of providing UCI students and the
community with other perspectives on these issues, I would like to respectfully
propose a couple of speakers for your consideration (specifically for the New
Narratives). First of all, I would like to propose Los Angeles-based talk show
host Larry Elder, an African-American conservative. Secondly, I would like to
propose Dr Thomas Sowell, who I believe recently retired from the Hoover
Institution at Stanford University. He is also a well-known African-American
conservative. I can think of several other worthy speakers, but I will leave it
with these two at this time.
In my view, university students deserve to be exposed to all
sides of issues not just some. I don’t deny the rights of the above speakers to
have their say, but I seriously question whether universities today are
committed to giving a fair hearing to other voices. I eagerly await your response to my
suggestions.
Sincerely,
Gary Fouse
Cc
Dr. Howard Gillman, Chancellor
Dr. Douglas Haynes, Director, Cross Cultural Center
Dr. Abby Reyes
US Rep. Mimi Walters
State Senator John Moorlach
State Assembly Rep. Steven Choi
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I will keep you advised of any responses I get (or don't get).
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