Editor,
First of all, I would like to commend the Student Organization for Latin American Studies (S.O.L.A.S.) for presenting a point of view other than what has been presented to us by the mainstream media. I believe that it is important to have access to different perspectives and that was achieved Monday evening.
The attitudes taken by some of those present, thought, insulted me. Their reaction was shameful and an embarrassment to this institution, not to mention disrespectful to the speaker, Charles Hardy.
Let me remind the young ladies who were so "distraught" by the presentation that we are in a university setting and we do live in a country where freedom of speech is respected. If you feel that the Venezuelan situation was unfairly portrayed, I encourage you to organize a presentation or event that will present other points of view. I know that you said that you were "too busy," but, as a full-time student, I am sure that we all are.
I left you my card after the presentation and I encourage you to contact me. I have been at UNM for the past four years, three of which I have been an active organizer with many student and community-based organizations, while at the same time being a full-time student and being employed full-time. I am a busy individual, but I have always preferred to be a person of action, not just reaction.
Like you, I too grew up in a poor barrio. My home origin is MÇxico. I currently live in an impoverished community; yes, poor barrios also exist in the United States.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Please contact me. I think it would be beneficial for UNM to see the "other' point of view.
Y antes de que se me olvide, tambien hablo espa§ol.
Javier Martinez Villanueva
UNM student
