This concerning video has been posted in Youtube less than four days ago and has achieved more than a million views just over three minutes, with mostly responsive negative comments followed. The owner of this infamous video is Alexandra Wallace. She is a third-year political science student of UCLA who while working her final project in the library of UCLA facility, was frustrated by Asian student, using cell phones in the library. She soon expressed her anger on Youtube, “The problem is these hordes of Asian people that U.C.L.A. accepts into our school every single year, which is fine,” said Ms. Wallace, “But if you’re going to come to U.C.L.A., then use American manners.” (P5) She also, at one point, mimics the Asian speaking language. The rant was responded with rage, Alexandra Wallace has received many negative feedback including dead threats via phone call and e-mails, she soon apologized and deleted the video immediately. However, the controversy continues, the officials said the university was looking into possible disciplinary action against Ms. Wallace.(P9)
At first, as an Asian I felt offended, but when I had seen that she has deleted her video and stated her regret about her remarks, I felt sorry for her because this internet phenomenon would not be stopped easily. There is no argument, what she has done is wrong. First she stereotyped Asians as unmannered people. I believe generally, Asian people are socially taught and trained as much as every races even more so, but the truth is there must be someone who slips and make inappropiate behavior just like every other races to use a cellphone in movies or libraries. I also feel alarmed that she made a decision to post a video about her outrageous ideas. I would feel frustrated too if I worked on final exam and was interrupted by noise of people talking via cellphone in a library but I wouldn't dare post a video stereotyping their race behavior and lifestyle in front of millions of people's computer! It was not a good decision of hers; because internet bullying can get too rough and too hurtful for one more than it should be, with dead threats and all are now sending through the wireless line toward her rushed minutes of an unthoughtful decision. I think Ms.Wallace has accepted her consequences and I think soon enough this issue soon will be passed but for sure it will not be forgotten. This too is a lesson for me to learn that no matter differences we possess, we are all human and only education will eradicate those ignorant thoughts in our mind. And of course, if you have inappropriate thoughts, it is better to keep it to yourself .
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References
U.C.L.A. Student’s Video Rant Against Asians Fuels Firestorm.(2011, March 16). NY Times. Retrieved March 18, 2011 from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/us/16ucla.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=alexandra%20wallace&st=cse
U.C.L.A. Student’s Video Rant Against Asians Fuels Firestorm.(2011, March 16). NY Times. Retrieved March 18, 2011 from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/us/16ucla.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=alexandra%20wallace&st=cse
I strongly agree with you, teacher that we have to keep some negative attitudes about someone inside our bodies and Ms.Wallce should release her tension by other ways instead of posted on internet. However, it is hard to control when we have a severe angry especially in vital situation like Ms. Wallace’s event.
ReplyDeleteSome counselors suggest that a good way to control angry emotion by someone is that telling you are severe dissatisfied now first and try to deep breath after that you should try to find out why you’re so angry that is a big problem or not? If it is not a big deal, you have to understand everybody is not perfect. It is a little problem, so you should forget that problem. Another way is you must leave to other places and try to clam down as much as you can. Even though that problem cannot solve immediately, it is not worse than you are still deal with it when you cannot control yourself.
However, it is very difficult to do like my suggestion before. Sometimes let it happen is better than stop it because people can remember problem clearly when they face with issue by themselves. Not only they have a great experience, but also they have immunity to mange problem.