On Tuesday, I attended a “Beyond the Binary” event about my last column with members of The Aggie’s editorial board. It was an eye-opening experience learning about sexuality topics such as the “forms and modes of oppression.”
As I listened to these topics being discussed, I realized the diverse backgrounds many people come from – backgrounds I initially hadn’t put enough thought into. Although I’m a liberal arts and social sciences major, I didn’t realize the full impact of what I was studying and reading about in textbooks.
I didn’t have any malicious intent in writing my column. For those who don’t know, I write a weekly dry humor column. I now realize if you’ve never read my previous columns, there’s a strong possibility for misunderstanding and taking offense to the column I wrote last week.
I didn’t mean for the column to be taken literally or too seriously. I don’t believe all of what I wrote at all. It was merely an exaggerated observation, an attempt at humor.
I assumed this humor would translate across many different topics, like it did when I wrote about things such as biking in Davis and Twilight. I assumed my column about “girly men” would translate as well. It’s now apparent that I was wrong to think this humor could be executed for a sensitive issue such as sexuality.
Based on my personal background, I initially didn’t realize the great extent to which sexuality is a sensitive topic. I have some straight, male friends who behave in what is typically considered less “masculine” behavior. We tend to good-naturedly tease each other about what we considered to be our “silly” actions. We have a mutual understanding. We don’t offend each other. Because of this, I assumed this type of understanding would also translate to my readers. It didn’t.
I thought it would be interesting to voice a casual opinion I feel many females have about their straight male friends who are behaving in what they feel are more “feminine” ways. It wasn’t ever meant to target any community, nor did I realize that the way the column was written would perpetuate certain negative stereotypes and prejudices.
To those who were offended, I wholeheartedly apologize. I didn’t mean to be malicious, condescending or hurtful.
Furthermore, to address the issue of race and ethnicity and my comments that may have appeared insensitive toward diversity, I didn’t intend to promote discrimination and racial tension. I’m proud to be Asian American – it’s a big part of my identity.
I just felt that one of the first steps toward racial acceptance and tolerance is the ability to spot the stereotypes others see of their own race and laugh at oneself. I often mock myself in my columns. But again, I wasn’t sensitive enough toward racial and ethnic injustice. I apologize for any seemingly racial or ethnic intolerance, discrimination or oppression.
Through this experience, I’ve not only been enlightened about sexual, racial and ethnic oppression and discrimination, but I’ve also realized the power of words. Word choice ultimately leads to misunderstanding, and through this misunderstanding is the root of trouble.
If I had known the unintended effects this column would create, I would never have written it. I never intended to maliciously target any group. Again, I’m genuinely sorry for causing any misunderstanding, hurt feelings or malice through my column.
Hopefully, through this experience, we have all gained a deeper understanding toward one another.
TIFFANY LEW can be reached at tjlew@ucdavis.edu.
Apologies or not. I think it’s irrelevant. The root of the problem here is the editorial staff of the Aggie. I’m glad she mentioned that she has learned a great deal about the issues she chose to write about. However, she should have learned about it before she put pen to paper and disgraced our student newspaper with this ignorant filth.
EDITORS! READ YOUR WRITERS STUFF BEFORE YOU PUT IT IN THE PAPER! I think the responsibility for this fiasco lies solely on the newspaper not the writer.
This is America you can write whatever the hell you want and show the world your ignorance or your genius.
But it is the responsibility of the newspaper to ensure that it remains true to virtues of our university, “Let there be light” to wash away the ignorance.
Also, if I said 1 + 1 = 3 and said oops just kidding, I meant it as a joke, it doesn’t excuse the fact. It still makes me an idiot.
@llamaslyr…why would anyone have academic discipline for something they did outside of their academics?
@whenisthisgoingtoendlol
“it takes a lot of courage to give an apology to the crowd.”
In this case, writing an article about her own shortcomings is different than standing in front of the thousands of fellow UC Davis students that she offended.
I’d like to see her stand in front of every ethnicity that she offended due to things they could not chose to be born with and give her apologies, looking at them in person.
What a dramatic comment from llamaslyr.
Anyways, takes a lot of courage to give an apology to the crowd, wonderful job Tiffany. (:
Let’s applaud tolerance and coming to an understanding with ourselves and each other.
Llamaslyr, you should be ashamed of yourself for bringing up facebook postings that were statused long before the apology was written. Your accusations are false, and you should be disciplined for bringing up old information as if new. She apologized, and you seem to be so clairvoyant that you know more about others’ sincerity than they do. I hope you are perfect, because you will be judged as you judge.
Let’s see some academic discipline against Lew.
She hasn’t learned anything: the joking and apathetic comment on her facebook reveals this. Racist and hegemonic people, apathetic towards minority groups like Lew disgust me. Honestly, this “apology” means nothing: it’s just a way of saying you had enough attention and you want it resolved. I’m saddened to think that I attend a world-class university with an individual like you.
I’m glad that you wrote an apology, and I’m very happy to hear that you were at the meeting and learned something from it.
Bravo, Tiffany, for taking the steps you did and writing this. It was a learning experience for everyone.
I’m glad that tiffany attended the BTB event and took the opportunity to listen to the thoughts of the queer community. and also glad she wrote this apology. :]