Peace Community,
On March 22nd 2014, The California Alumni Association hosted an annual event called the Charter Gala, and we celebrated the founding of University of California at Berkeley. I was personally invited by the Executive Director of the California Alumni association to engage in this celebratory event.
My intent in going to this event was to connect with Cal Alumni and understand their experiences as Cal Students, not to meet Janet Napolitano. I did not have any knowledge that Napolitano was going to be present at the Gala. At the Gala I had a conversation with one of the organizers of the event. He enlightened me that Janet Napolitano was currently at the event. He said that he could get me an opportunity to meet her. Moments later Napolitano walked by and when she finished talking another guest, the organizer introduced me to her.
I introduced myself as Destiny Iwuoma. In our brief encounter I voiced how I felt the University of California did not meet the needs of students of color in higher education. After expressing that I am passionate about taking the steps necessary to make sure the University of California meets the needs of students of color, we took the picture and we went our separate ways.
As a senator one of my platforms is Cultural Competency where I encourage my peers to share their stories and understand different points of view and experiences. As a Senator I believe it is important to establish relationships with those you do not see eye to eye with on every issue. I believe it is the only way society will advance by having critical dialogues across difference.
I want to recognize that as an elected official I am human, therefore I am not perfect. However, I recognize that my decision to post a picture of Napolitano caused people to react and those reactions are completely valid. I recognize that community members feel Napolitano represents trauma, hurt, separation, privatization, militarization, deportations, criminalization and much more to community members. I apologize that the picture I took with Napolitano triggered community members to react as they did, and I would like to validate those feelings.
I recognize that it was not the best decision to post the picture on social media, especially with the lack of description in the caption. It was not my intent to undermine students who are organizing to get Napolitano out of office, and my personal choice to take a picture with Napolitano does not reflect the entire CalSERVE Coalitions stance on Napolitano’s appointment. CalSERVE as a coalition endorses the Students of Color Solidarity Coalition and the No2Napolitano organizing that has been done.
Genuinely,
Destiny Iwuoma
For more information about student’s feelings toward Napolitano I direct you to a letter written by ASUC President DeeJay Pepito[1]
