ZERO
TOLERANCE FOR RACIST AND SEXIST ATTACKS AT YORK U
(The
following article is from
the February 1-15,
2008
issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles
can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in
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PV Ontario Bureau
York University was in an uproar in late January after news that the
offices of the Black Students Alliances (YUBSA) on campus were defaced
with racist graffiti such as "all n____s must die" and "N____s go back
to Africa."
The latest incident came on the heels of three
sexual assaults, a brutal attack on a Student Centre employee, and two
other cases of racist vandalism on campus in recent months. This has
evoked an outpouring of demands on the university administration to
strengthen public safety for students and staff.
On January 24, YUBSA organized an emergency
protest to demand immediate action from the administration, including a
through investigation and an independent safety audit of the campus.
YUBSA also demanded that students of colour participate on
administrative committees to combat racist and sexist oppression at the
university.
The York University Club of the Communist
Party and the York Young Communist League issued a statement "standing
100% behind the efforts of the York University Black Students Alliance
(YUBSA) and all progressive students and workers in condemning racist
hate crimes and sexual assaults."
"These acts again expose the myth that York is
somehow above or separate from Canadian society. Genocide,
colonization, national oppression, racism, sexual assault and sexism,
discrimination against immigrants, homophobia and other forms of
oppression have and continue to play a major role in the functioning of
Canadian capitalism."
The Communists on campus called for the
implementation of a comprehensive program of anti-racism and
anti-sexism training and public education, and mandatory
anti-oppression courses offered through the university.
"To work and learn in a safe environment
without harassment, assault and discrimination is a basic right, just
as accessible, universal, affordable and good-quality education is also
a right for all. Our university must confront and resist racism, sexism
and all forms of discrimination, ensuring that all students feel safe
on campus," said the statement.
Found
at:
http://www.peoplesvoice.ca/articleprint11/08_ZERO_TOLERANCE_FOR_RACIST_AND_SEXIST_ATTACKS_AT_YORK_U.html