Madison Madness: Lincoln’s Foot for Safety
By Francisco Velazquez
As a student of color who isn’t seen at any of the protests or as a student of color who believes this campus is working towards an inclusive environment, what side of Bascom have you been walking on?
It’s great that you feel safe in a classroom setting...
Ya know considering a young man was just arrested for publicly showing the reality that thrives on this campus.
“ I decided — being a student of color — to involve myself and see exactly what was going on.”
How did you involve yourself? Did you talk to any person involved with #TheRealUW or did you just say you did? Having an article published is definitely a resume builder, but maybe not being so general in what you do and don’t know would be great.
How specifically are we pushing fear tactics on anyone? By defending a POC who came to our floor crying about a statement that one of your friend’s made to her in regards to #TheRealUW?
Apparently my blog is also part of the problem, but maybe this campus should stop being racist and then I’ll stop clap backing back, but, probably not.
“UW is not an institution that systematically oppresses people of color. They are not breeding people to be racists. I am of a minority, and yes, I feel underrepresented, but at the same time, there are more tactful ways to address the issue and take action.”
- UW-Madison is an institution.
- Underrepresented? Does not correlate with unimportant, colored, complaining, apes, illegals, e.t.c. but sure “underrepresented” so we can use heavy syllables.
How is this campus working towards more racial coverage of our struggles? Last time I checked, Matthew Heisch was still walking across East Campus Mall this morning like nothing happened. But according to you, everything is peachy on a campus that sends threatening letters to a specific student’s home. Racists comments on Yik-Yak definitely aren't part of the problem right? Course not.
My issues with you, Madison Bevan, are as follows: my first - you do not include yourself in a struggle when all you know is half the struggle - no one assumes that all white people are racist. That’s great that most of your closest friends are white and not racist, but you’re probably to Raven-Symone’d out to realize what oppression is. Just because your friends are taking Spanish and love the culture doesn’t mean they’re educated about what it means to be of color, ever.
“When an uncomfortable confrontation took place between members of the #TheRealUW and, not only my friends, but my floor mates, the members assumed that everyone on my floor was racist, barging into our den and saying, “we hear we got some racists on 7B.” Making this assumption toward people you don’t even know and people who are not of the same ethnicity is not going to help your cause.”
Yes, a confrontation took place between your friends and your floor mates, but where were you? You’re talking about this like you were there, you weren’t. No one assumed that anyone was racist. As a educated person of color, we know that all white people are not racist. You should try it sometime, that thing you liked to defend at this school, knowledge. You probably missed the hour long conversation we had with the rest of the students on 7B, where they asked and we answered questions.
“During the confrontation, someone from 7B asked what he could specifically do to help their cause and the response he got was “stop being racist.” When confronted about this comment, one member of #TheRealUW movement replied that the comment was a defense mechanism for constantly having to answer the question “what can I do?” If you are protesting for a cause you care so much about, you should never be reluctant or annoyed when someone asks what they can do to help.”
Let’s be specific if we’re going to address who asked and who answered the question
Bret Wolter: “What can I (we) do?
Francisco Velazquez: Stop being racist.
Do you know how tiring it gets to explain to one person why something is problematic or racist? Do you know how hard it is to balance your education and try not to be victimized every day?
I did not come to a top research university to educate white people.
I came to this university to be educated.
It isn’t my job to educate a white person.
Maybe try bringing up the fact that this school now requires an ethnic studies course b/c your “friends” don’t know how to interact with people of color in the real world.
Why are you writing this article when you’re not a part of the movement of equality on campus? Why did you find the need to speak out now, for your “friends” on 7B? Do you feel oppressed? After long sororities parties and deep conversations about equality with your friends do you feel that now is the time for justice?
Did you feel oppressed writing this article?
Will this campus care if you’re victimized the next time you try bringing rights and race in the same sentence? Tell me, is the Kluxy logo too much or was the KKK just a warm-up? Should we just relax and forget the situation ever happened? You know the thing called racism. If we don’t make moves as minorities, will you?
Follow up with an article and don’t go back to being another Badger in the crowd. Speak up when it’s necessary, not when it’s convenient.
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