Re “PCC Follies (Cont.): ‘District Is Trying to Scapegoat Me,’ Says Student Trustee”
[Editor’s Note: This letter originally appeared in the Pasadena City College Courier.]
Dear Mr. Fellow:
Shame on you!
Shame on you for turning the victim of an illegal and immoral transgression into its perpetrator.
Shame on you for undermining the reputation of Pasadena City College as a place for free and open discourse.
Shame on you for embarrassing your faculty, students and staff and all those at your school who stand for free speech, cultural diversity and the importance of social engagement. They deserve better.
Based on my experience of thirty-five years as professor, Department Chair or Dean at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, I fully concur in the overwhelming admiration of our school for Dustin Lance Black’s artistry, moral integrity and principled social advocacy.
Professionally, personally and as an engaged citizen he represents the best of what we hope for in our program and, I might add, he also reflects the wealth of talent we hope to continue to attract from California’s fine community colleges.
Through your insensitivity you have damaged the reputation of your school, misrepresented your students and faculty, and betrayed the trust of the people of Pasadena.
Moral cowardice, political expediency and shoddy reasoning are not the hallmarks of any leader, let alone the leader of an institution of higher learning, and least of all the leader of an institution committed to serving the public.
Sincerely,
Robert Rosen
Dean Emeritus and Professor, of Film, TV and Digital Media
UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television
