Ethnic Studies Community Letter: Pedro Castillo

Despite the attempts to stifle movement at UCSC, the struggle for Ethnic Studies has been revived on a student front by members of various student of Color Organizations including the African/Black Student Alliance (A/BSA), Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance (APISA), Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana y Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA), Filipino Student Association (FSA), and Student Alliance of North American Indians (SANAI). This current effort has manifested itself through an undergraduate working group, The Committee on Ethnic Studies, and larger informative & strategic events. Resistance & subversiveness are expected when matters of oppression, especially institutionalized marginalization, are being addressed in a public manner. The attack that was perpetrated at the May 3 informative event by Oakes Provost & tenured professor Pedro Castillo was not anticipated & still, upon reflection, comes as a shock.

On Thursday, May 3, the Ethnic Studies Committee planned an informational meeting to inform the community about the battle for Ethnic Studies at UCSC and the state of the movement today. The program included a timeline of our struggle accompanied by 5 testimonials (given by a UCSC professor, graduate student and 3 undergraduate students) and a guest motivational speaker along with a short clip of the TWANAS hunger strike in 1981 (in support of Ethnic Studies).

However, the program was unintentionally altered; intruded upon when Oakes Provost, Pedro Castillo, took it upon himself to barge in and take for himself the power to say what he felt. As a coordinator walked up to the stage to introduce the next speaker, Pedro Castillo followed her and insisted that he be heard. After invading this space, he was still treated with respect. He went on to relay his satisfaction at seeing such an event, and applauded the students that had come. Then, he started expressing his feelings about Ethnic Studies at UCSC, which completely contradicted his general rhetoric and the overall purpose of the event. He went on to scorn students, questioning their involvement by naming specific ethnic-based classes he had taught at UCSC and asking who had taken them. Finally, after already overlooking the request of one of the coordinators that he retire from the stage, another coordinator requested that he remove himself. After a brief dispute between the two and him stating he would not get off the mic “unless someone dragged [him] off” the mic was pulled and he exited the stage. While walking out, however, he bumped into another coordinator and when confronted about it, Pedro Castillo replied, “You wanna take this outside?” The disruption continued as Pedro Castillo continued the altercation outside by arguing with members of the committee just feet away from the audience.

Though it was a brief conflict, the interference left lasting effects on the event, the audience and the coordinators. Not only had he interrupted another speaker’s space, his actions were still interrupting after he had left. The ambiance had left the atmosphere, and all that remained was sheer silence and awkwardness, and an ample amount of time was wasted trying to regain the focus of the crowd. Everyone’s comfort and respect had been infringed upon. By abusing his power and taking control, Pedro Castillo had shown that the event, the audience and the organizers did not have to be respected, and by continuing the debate outside, he was personally attacking members of the committee and acting in a very inappropriate, unprofessional manner. Participants of the event were forced to leave with their experience having been altered. In the spirit of Ethnic Studies, personal experience is valued with testimonials of individuals affected by Pedro Castillo’s action, included below:

“It was unreal. Almost like a bad joke gone wrong. Pedro Castillo’s forcefulness at the mic followed by his insults towards those in attendance struck me. Topping that was his physical manner & challenge to step out of the space, attempting to provoke an altercation. I personally unloaded mouths full of emotion at him, which seemed to strike him, as if his power had never been challenged in such a manner. The confusion he caused continued even after he stepped out of the space. None of the organizers were prepared for such an attack, & a group of organizers were caught up outside arguing with Pedro Castillo, further hindering the event. Outside, Pedro Castillo astonished me again, using his claimed “30 years in the movement” as a way to invalidate our current work while simultaneously minimizing my personal life experience in the movement as negligible. This sort of action works directly against the goals I perceive Ethnic Studies as attempting to accomplish. The aftermath has left me wondering what sort of negative effects I will face as an Oakes student, given Pedro Castillo’s power as Provost of Oakes College.”
-Mark! Lopez

"At the Ethnic Studies Informational on May 3, 2007, Pedro Castillo interrupted Acacia Woods-Chan while she was in the process of introducing guest speaker graduate student Felice Baker. He began to talk about himself and the position he holds at which point I asked him to respect the fact that we had an agenda that he was not a part of and that we were running almost an hour behind so he needed to make his speaking quick and get off. He continued to talk and Lilia Reynoso finally demanded that he get off the microphone. Eventually he got off and I, along with 4-5 other Mechistas followed him outside.

Being one of the main organizer’s for the event, I went outside because I couldn’t believe the things he said and did and felt that he should know what a disrespectful outright jerk he had been with both his words and his actions. However, when we got outside Mark Lopez began yelling at Pedro about how disrespectful and fucked up his actions against the group and the event had been. Initially I was extremely ANGRY at Pedro and wanted to let him know about that. However, knowing that that was being done by other students, I began to think more about how much time and effort I personally had put into the event and the excitement people initiated the event with and how that was spit upon by this one man, who as a student of color I wrongfully assumed would at least not be someone to stand in our way. I actually began to cry from the absolute rage I felt at his words and actions. It was shock, disbelief, but above all else complete disappointment at what he had done. So I stopped my crying and actually spoke to Paul Ortiz who had been standing around a little awkwardly. I thanked him for being part of the event and he reminded me that the point was to persevere through these things. I realized he was right and went back to the event."
-Floridalma Lima

"Pedro Castillo coming into the ethnic studies space the way he did, was so hurtful! I remember feeling like… what the fuck is goin on? when he first pushed Acacia off the podium. As I heard him speak and was enraged by the things he said, I also remember looking around and seeing everyone’s reactions. Students looked disbelieving and pained. The excitement that had just filled the room no longer was. I remember feeling so angry yet helpless. I wanted to say something so bad, but at the same time I was so intimidated to say something. I kept on thinking should I, should I not!!!!! It was when he started putting the blame on us that I just could no longer take it! It took so much for me to get in front of that microphone and intervene, but I felt so helpless when I was up there. It didn’t matter what I said he just continued to speak and speak, disregarding anything I expressed. He said the only way he would leave would be if somebody dragged him out. I remember really feeling like damn! If my words aren’t doin it for you then let me go and do it!!! But of course thinking about the repercussions I would receive if I did, I didn’t. Not only was it his words that were painful but I also felt it was so unfair that he would even put us, student organizers in that situation."
-Lilia Reynoso

“I was completely overwhelmed when I saw him walking up to the stage. I didn’t know if he had worked something out with the other coordinators sitting in the back, and I felt really forced away. As I was watching what was going on, I couldn’t believe it! Here he is, the President, the Provost of Oakes college, the college of diversity and he’s attacking the whole audience. You would think that being the Provost of such a college would mean that you were a little more tolerant and respectful of others’ space, but I guess not. And it was even more shocking to me to hear him say such belligerent things. I almost wanted to remind him that we were supposed to be on the same side, or at least agree to co-exist. I thought he was coming to this event to help the cause. I kept asking myself if this was planned…or what? It really made me realize that you can’t assume you have a friend in anyone, even if it is written in their job description and they’re getting paid for it. The whole thing made me more aware of the fact that there are going to be people out there that are going to oppose, sometimes very strongly and unfairly, what others believe in. But I think it’s worth it and if that small incident could stop the movement, what does that say about it in the first place. So I know that I’ll put this in the back of my mind never to forget, but to use it as fuel to my fire and keep pushing on.”
-Acacia Woods-Chan

“Amidst a program filled with ethnically diverse and intergenerational speakers who represent a span of experiences and positions within and outside of the university, Pedro Castillo --a university administrator-- acted out a systemically rehearsed practice of aggressive disrespect, distraction and disempowerment.

When will we not allow for this type of abuse from those in power, even when they "look" and "sound" like us?

Sitting at the Ethnic Studies informational after Pedro Castillo charged up the middle lane and forced an unwelcomed "Welcome to Oakes College!" and watching the students who organized it become frustrated and enraged, i was reminded of what i experienced as a student at UCSC. The same type of blatant abuse of power and lack of consideration or real concern about the students (or anyone at that) was again a sign of the administration's DEEP FEAR in the STUDENTS' UNIFIED and TRANSPARENT POWER.

After Pedro Castillo decided when he was ready to get off the mic (despite the student organizers' requests for him to respect the program agenda), the attendees sat in confusion and slight fear while the next speaker attempted to keep it moving and share her insight. Everyone kept turning to watch the student organizers outside pleading and attempting to connect with Pedro Castillo...AS ALWAYS, the students were forced to explain how his acts were disrespectful, how there was a better way to "participate/contribute", how he made them feel... They endured his rants about "respect" and "the movement". Where have you been Pedro Castillo when we almost lost SOAR, Rainbow Theater, outreach and retention funding? When violent acts happen against particularly students of color? When have you outreached to students, asked them directly what they need? When have you listened? When have you not sought a high place to sit or a mic from which to speak?

As a survivor of UCSC, this incident gave me another way of looking at change. Students have become more sophisticated, clear and enabled to be dedicated to change, while the University has further amplified in strategy and veiled in "diversity" its efforts to shut down any resistance or direction that is not in line with its agenda.

What a trick.

As for Pedro Castillo, I experienced another person lost in the belly of the beast, throwing rocks from a broken place.

All i can say is, don’t get distracted. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Thankfully, we can even listen and learn in the ugliest of moments. These are just moments. Keep moving. Don’t give up.”

in struggle/love-based solidarity,
peace
eden

“Unfortunately, the climate of this place makes it so difficult to generate an affirmative response to our concerns about racism, sexism, and homophobia on this campus. More often than not, we are put in the position of having to defend ourselves and justify our experiences even as we attempt to demonstrate and articulate the cruel treatment that we face. I am also concerned about that way that our expression of our grievances forces us into a position where the 'other side' gets to assume the role of judging whether or not our grievances are valid or not, whether or not they want to even respond. In other words, it allows them to maintain their feeling of superiority as they gain pleasure from spectating our appeals to them.

I don't think that the interruption to the Ethnic Studies Informational constitutes a defeat by any means. But I do think that our efforts may be better spent by reflecting on what happened, by examining the sentiment that that faculty member represents, by gaining understanding about whether or not his perspective reflects broader faculty opposition to Ethnic Studies. It is important for the Ethnic Studies Committee to spend time thinking about what is different about what they are doing, what they are about, and what they are for. Those who are in opposition to Ethnic Studies are perfectly content by us spending time responding to their cruelty RATHER than continuing the work of challenging the racist status quo (and their positions) at UCSC.”
-Felice Blake-Kleiven

Although Santa Cruz holds a vast number of people, all of whom are different in many ways, we all share the desire to be able to have our voices heard; and as such, they deserve to be. However, no movement, no type of change, can be achieved until we all realize that we are struggling for the same thing: equity, equality and the right to speak and be heard. Conversely, it is essential that members of the administration listen, and not dismiss the voices of students as their constituents and, equally, as members of the UCSC community. We need the support of the UCSC population as a whole, including students, faculty and administration because having an ethnic background or a common goal is not limited to students, and we need the help, cooperation and respect of everybody.

Not to be overlooked, we are calling for the accountability of faculty, staff & administration. It is not enough to have some faculty of color spread around campus. STUDENTS NEED ALLIES!!! Students need to have institutional power that is not transfused through individuals who are perceived to have students’ interests in mind, as well as non-traditional forms of power. As much as faculty, staff & administration say they want students to reach to them, students need to see that they have someone to reach to, other than each other.

With all of this, we are also calling for all students to hold faculty members accountable through sharing their personal stories of oppression experienced in & out of the classroom. Students have learned who allies are the hard way, while professors have exerted unchecked pain upon students & experienced undue comfort for far too long.