From: limabean@titan.ucc.umass.EDU (ERIC A FOLLEY)
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Subject: U. Massachusetts Students Protest Columbus Day
Date: 9 Oct 92 16:04:38 GMT
Organization: University of Massachusetts, Amherst

On Tuesday, 6 October, 20 students, alumni, and faculty at the
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, took possession of Memorial
Hall in order to protest the designation of "Columbus Day" as a day
of celebration, instead calling for a day of reflection on and
education about the cultural destruction and genocide that was
visited on the indigenous peoples of North America by the European
invaders, of which Columbus was only the first.  As part of that
reflection, the protesters called upon the university administration,
in order to make good on its promise to encourage diversity and
multiculturalism on campus, to make available forty new scholarships
for women of color.

Today is 8 October, and the occupation of Memorial Hall continues,
despite numerous threats of arrest made by the campus administration.
 A number of students have expressed their solidarity with the
protesters by maintaining a constant vigil outside the Hall, and the
Graduate Employee Organization, the union representing all graduate
students on campus, passed a resolution expressing its support, and
threatening action if the is disrupted.

Below, I include a few of the statements that the protesters have
released.  Perhaps some people will respond in this forum to the
issues that this action raises.  That is all well and good.  But I
would also ask everyone who wishes to send messages of support to
email them to:  **limabean@philos.umass.edu**, and I will forward
hard copies to the protesters.  Also, there are several phone numbers
listed below in the press releases for you to call in order to
register your support for the goals of this protest with the Governor
of this state and the administration of this university.  Thank you
in advance.

********************

NO CELEBRATION, REAL EDUCATION!!!

500 years of violence, colonialism, and genocide.  How can we
celebrate 1492, a date dripping in blood?

Is it in the spirit of justice, democracy, and freedom that we would
mark a date on our academic calendar to "celebrate" the enslavement
of African Americans, apartheid in South Africa, the Armenian
genocide, the killing fields of Cambodia, the ongoing famine of
Somalia, or the Jewish Holocaust?

If you answer is NO, then it is absolutely inconsistent to continue
to celebrate as a University Holiday the mass destruction of just
about every Native American society.  We must end this tradition of
celebrating violence against people of color by replacing it with a
day of education and reflection rather than "celebration."

Concerned students have taken the first step in petitioning Governor
William Weld to set a nationwide example by replacing the
University's "Columbus Day Holiday" with a "Columbus Day
Commemorative Teach-In."  For the upcoming Quincentenary, we have
planned the "First Annual Columbus Day Commemorative Teach-In" for
October 12, 1992.  The program will include faculty lectures, student
workshops, community panel discussions, films, and so on, which will
present the many different perspectives on the legacy of Columbus.

We can not change the violence against people of color that has
happened for 500 years but we can and must prevent it from continuing
in our future.  Let the university come together and mark this date
not through celebration, but through real education and reflection so
we can find some understanding and hopefully prevent further racial
incidents on our campus.

We eagerly await the Governor's endorsement making this an annual
event reaching the entire campus community.

In the mean time, we are conducting an informal workshop inside
Memorial Hall on "500 years of violence."  We will stay here until we
hear from Governor Weld.  Come join us.  Everybody's support is
necessary in order to achieve this historic goal.

NO CELEBRATION, REAL EDUCATION!!!

CALL GOVERNOR WELD AT (617) 727-3600, UMASS PRESIDENT MICHAEL HOOKER
AT (617) 287-7020, AND CHANCELLOR RICHARD O'BRIEN AT (413) 545-2211
TO EXPRESS YOUR SUPPORT FOR REPLACING THE COLUMBUS DAY "HOLIDAY" WITH
A "COLUMBUS DAY COMMEMORATIVE TEACH-IN."

********************

Students fight violence against women of color!

Are you aware of any programs, enters, or facilities for women of
color on this campus?

Your answer can only be NO because no such things exist.  The
University has recognized racial problems on campus by creating
programs for people of color such as CCEBMS, BCP, UALRC and
facilities such as cultural centers.  UMass has also recognized
sexism by creating Women's Studies, the Everywoman's Center, and
enacting the sexual harassment policy.

Chancellor O'Brien himself has recently recommitted the university
to"support those who are working to free our campus from the ugliness
that comes from racist, sexist ... intolerant attitudes and actions."

However, the administration has long failed to recognize the problems
confronting women of color.  Further more, they have
disproportionately targeted the few programs for women of color in
recent budget cuts.

Concerned women of color have taken the first step in petitioning
Governor William Weld to endorse the funding of 40 scholarships and
training programs to address and prevent violence against women of
color on campus and across the state.  Half of the "First Annual
Columbus Day Commemorative Teach-In" will focus on violence against
women of color.

We can no longer ignore the conditions which women of color must face
daily on our campus and in our society.  There must be a space for
women of color to address and prevent the violence they face on
campus.  This is necessary due to the racist, sexist, and violent
behavior of the majority community.

We eagerly await the Governor's endorsement making UMass and the
state a safer place for women of color.

Meanwhile, half of the "500 years of violence" workshop in Memorial
Hall will focus on violence against women of color, where we will
stay until we hear from Governor Weld.  Come join women of color in
the struggle to combat violence.

WOMEN OF COLOR TAKE YOUR PLACE
FIGHT VIOLENCE BASED ON GENDER AND RACE!

CALL GOVERNOR WELD AT (617) 727-3600, UMASS PRESIDENT MICHAEL HOOKER
AT (617) 287-7020, AND CHANCELLOR RICHARD O'BRIEN AT (413) 545-2211
TO EXPRESS YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE FUNDING OF 40 SCHOLARSHIPS AND
PROGRAMMING FOR WOMEN OF COLOR TO ADDRESS AND PREVENT VIOLENCE.

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