More People Opposed to Gustavo as UCLA Commencement Speaker--Hooray!

By Gustavo Arellano Wed., Jun. 2 2010 at 9:25 AM

Categories: Chronicle a Mexican

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Listen to the phone call above, which makes it the second irate UCLA parent to call my office line, and the second parent who didn't bother leaving a number so I could call them back and engage in polite discourse. Then read this opinion piece in the Daily Bruin from last week against the selection of me to speak at my alma mater's commencement ceremony next Friday, which differentiates itself from the Daily Bruin's editorial against the choice only in that it misused the word "otiose." Fun, fun, fun, but I'm disappointed: surely, the Facebook page set up to ask for a different UCLA commencement speaker than me can gain more members than the one set up last year for G-list actor James Franco? After all, I'm firmly in the firmament of the P-list, with the P standing for pendejo, natch...

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LOL to Arizona Vets response. Nice comeback, gotta say. And if any of you really take Gustavo's arguments seriously, that's really sad. He talks a lot about how we should educate illegals immigrations and yes asshole, I said illegal. Am I racist? There's not a racist bone in my body. But you sure would love to call me racist in order to try to intimidate me and down play my real argument. The fact is who said we as tax payers should pay for illegals? I didn't. Actually, over 70% of the country has said they are against doing that. That is a FACT! And no one is asking them to stay here and do jobs no one wants. Theres plenty of low wage Americans that need those jobs. Maybe you and your little illegal friends are in favor of this. Don't like it, pack up and go back home. There's plenty of people wanting to come here to take your place, aren't there? :)
why would they ask gustavo as a commencement speaker? his IQ is a full standard deviation below most of the asian undergrads there. just look at his degree...another ethnic studies dolt.
arizona vet - so no action? -- I lost a buddy in Iraq and he'd let you know what Freedom is -- Just let the Boy talk and get off your high horse - POG stands for "People Other Then Grunts" -- whats war look like from from the air? Crew Chief? --- ever hear of a WAR called "Iraqi Freedom"? " I sacraficed so that others may be free." -- USMC 0311 --- so stop having a hick mentallity and stop embarrassing Vets across this Land of Freedom ---
arizona vet - so no action? -- I lost a buddy in Iraq and he'd let you know what Freedom is -- Just let the Boy talk and get off your high horse - POG stands for "People Other Then Grunts" -- whats war look like from from the air? Crew Chief? --- ever hear of a WAR called "Iraqi Freedom"? " I sacraficed so that others may be free." -- USMC 0311 --- so stop having a hick mentallity and stop embarrassing Vets across this Land of Freedom ---
TEXAS GAL- It's sad that you assumed that I am white. As a Mescalero Apache/Mexican American I guess my point of view does'nt fit the rabid left wing california ideal. I am a free thinker, Try it sometime. CAL VET- Throttle down, Junior. 10 yrs Army, Deployed JTF Bravo Central America patroling the Honduras/Nicaraguan border supporting the 3rd Honduran Infantry. Korea as well. Also a CH-47C/D crewchief and door gunner. Nice try skippy.
Dear Arizona Veteran -- If you were in a combat unit -- like me --- my brother veterans fought for Freedon and Liberty on a human level -- I support Gustavo and I am sad that any Vetrans is against Freedom for others -- ever heard of the term POG? --
Geez, yet another UCLA mom who is crazy and has too much time on her hands?! I'm glad that you will be speaking at commencement Gustavo, I wish you could have been the speaker at my 2007 graduation at UCI! Maybe then I would have remembered the commencement speech! And Arizona Vet, I respect that you served our country (as my "illegal" uncles did, all 5 of them), but I also feel that you don't really understand what Gustavo is trying to do through his column and other writings. Like John said, he is not spreading racism but merely exposing it. Racism is ugly, but it must be dealt with through open dialogue.
OK, my goof. She did leave her name. That notwithstanding, I stand by my other comments.
Arizona Veteran, I don't always agree with Gustavo, but I appreciate the message he is spreading. From my perspective, he's not spewing racist hatred; he's exposing it. One of the points he's making here is that, if you have a strong opinion, it's appropriate to share it openly (and share the rationale behind it) and not hide behind anonymity the way the caller did.
Really sounds to me like all these people are just JEALOUS, because they are not asked to speak at UCLA, and they are so closed minded and think the color of one's skin better then another. Hey Arizona Veteran...if the tables were turned and it was the WHITE people ARIZONA was trying to keep out bet you would be crying all the way to the white house. If you really used that gray matter between your ears you would know that in reality we are all ILLEGALS.
I can't believe that tis "Gustavo" character actually thinks that he comes accross as anything but ridiculous. He spews more racist hatred toward non hispanics than most whites do. All he does is incite and try to inflame the hispanic community, Which doesnt seem like a very bright community to begin with. I am proud of my state of Arizona, We put our illegals on NOTICE !
I LOVE it Bro! She IS a Babosa for blabbering all over the place without making an educated point that can be talked about. People are wind-bags and would rather feel superior by blabbering their opinion on an answering machine and hanging up rather than having the courage the have a conversation! Keep doing YOU Bro!!
I think its Sandra Robbie!
In regards to the opinion piece on the Daily Bruin I don't believe Saif Ansari has sufficient evidence to support his claims. Saif argues Gustavo doesn't have the universal appeal that the university represents. I would assume what appeals to the students are the aspirations and accomplishments one does with his/her degree (he is a well known journalist!). As far as relating to the "general UCLA community" how much more can you relate than having someone who works with the LA Times, a newspaper devoted to the community. He's been accused of polarization for his work on Ask a Mexican but the column is based on Q&A. He answers questions giving the reader a bit of history and satire. Tt's not just based on opinion and it does support separatism from what same seem to conclude with. As far as his career choice and the specifics of the column not every single student is going to relate to every speaker. Take Brad Delson for example, I could be wrong but I'm sure a lot of the students who paid a lot money to attend UCLA weren't inspired to be a guitarist in a rock after his speech just like not everyone in attendance is going to be writer after his. Again, it's what the individual wants to accomplish with his/her degree. Who does Mr. Ansari want? Someone who works with UN? Oh wait it's not community based......Sorry for the long comment.
Pinche bola de chillones! They forgot to mention that you have two books under your belt man. You know, because ANYBODY can just have two books under their belt. -Your bodyguard
It sucks being you, Gustavo. It's going to be fun to watch you not speaking in front of those students. I would rather hear from Lisa Hernandez than you.
Babosas giving you a bad day? If you can't stand the heat get outta the fire they say.
Gustavo, I need you direct line so I can speak with you about the gift card you still owe me from January. Thanks
Gustavo: Yes, it would have been much worse, but whatever that woman said was no excuse for you to say that word. I mean, do you really want to give more attention to such a loser?
John: At least I didn't say "pendeja," right? Besides, I'm all about education, so people can look up that word if they don't understand it!
I don't think you should had said "babosas" at the end. I find it inappropiate.