Letters to the Editor

Fresno State alumnus typifies community engagement

I started reading “FS alumni see mixed local, state outcomes” (Ball and VonCannon, Nov. 8, p. 1) with anticipation.

I’m a sociology professor committed to the “scholarship of engagement” (Boyer 1996) and involving students in service-learning and research to respond to local needs and improve our community.

I teach students that leadership doesn’t necessarily involve holding a position, emphasize that knowledge is not power, merely potential power, and that knowledge becomes powerful when it’s acted upon.

Over my 12 years of teaching at Fresno State, many of my students have become engaged in service through employment in nonprofit and public agencies and volunteerism.

One was Benjamin Avila, Fresno State alumnus and elementary teacher.

I recall Ben’s engagement in Soc111 (Race/Ethnicity) during spring 2002, particularly his incorporation of lessons from “Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong” (Loewen 1996) into his own teaching.

I was proud when I recognized his name on the ballot.

I was impressed that Ben challenged Republican incumbent, Mike Villines (another Fresno State alumnus), in the 29th Assembly District, without previously holding public office.

I was inspired Ben drew 30.4 percent (27,357 votes) in the third most GOP-dominated district in California, despite limited campaigning and access to significant campaign contributions.

However, I was saddened to not read Ben’s name in The Collegian article because Ben is a model for Fresno State alumni.

I congratulate Ben on his participation in the political process and look forward to voting for him again should he run for office again.

—Matthew A. Jendian, Ph.D
Assistant Professor of Sociology

The real reason why Thanksgiving should be boycotted

Matt Gomes’ article titled “Holiday reinforces discrimination” was a breath of fresh, conscious air. “Thanksgiving” is sexist, racist and ethnocentric, according to Gomes.

However, he failed to mention, in depth, about the myth and cruelty of “Thanksgiving,” the real reason why we should boycott “turkey and mashed potatoes.”

In the 1600s, the Pilgrims were exiled because of their religious beliefs. Sailing aboard the Mayflower, they eventually landed on Plymouth Rock.

What happens next is where a lot of misconceptions are conceived. The majority of people believe that the Pilgrims and the Native Americans befriended each other and lived harmoniously.

Unfortunately, seldom told, when the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, they brought with them their European ideals, religion, guns and germs, killing thousands of Native Americans in less than a century, eradicating whole tribes and traditions.

The holiday itself was not a “holiday” until the mid to late 1800s and Pilgrims were barely a part of it.
Human and cultural genocide is what we are giving thanks to.

“Thanksgiving” is a spit in the face of Native Americans, past and present, reiterating the fact that this is not a land of equality.

This is not the land of liberty, justice, freedom and the pursuit of happiness for all.

Native Americans and their traditions still need to be given their dignity, their respect and their land for their suffered injustices that continue up until this day.

This is the real reason why we should boycott “turkey and mashed potatoes.”

—Ernesto Saavedra
Senior psychology/sociology major

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