 From Ajua Campos to President Bennet President Bennet: As students of color at Wesleyan, we form an integral part of this community, for we bring to it a rich and diverse culture as well as novel perspectives and experiences. Ajua Campos is the vehicle through which Latinos at this institution air their concerns about life on campus and in the community. With the support of the university, Ajua Campos aims to foster a sense of pride, unity, and strength in the Latino student body. However, over the past few months our goal has been severely challenged. How are we, as Latino students to feel pride towards our community, when this institution continues to allow poverty wages for Latinos? How are we to feel unified when the ideologies of this institution perpetuate racial hierarchy in our community? How are we to feel strengthened, when this institution does nothing to alleviate the situation for its lowest paid employees? In 1965, Latinos in this campus were few in numbers. Their grievances were muffled to the ears of the administration. Ajua Campos challenged that notion, it created a voice for Latinos that was to be acknowledged. Today, our numbers have grown a great deal and for that we congratulate Wesleyan. However, this institution seems to be retracting its support. The voices of Latinos on this campus, whether they be of students or employees, are in danger of being ignored as they were in 1965. But let it be known that Latino students will stand together with Latino employees to prevent this from happening. We recognize Initial janitors on this campus as being a part of our community. We present to you, President Bennet, our grievances as Latino students and as members of the greater Wesleyan Community. A blow to Initial janitors is a blow to Latino students and a blow to our organization. We ask for your renewed support in the maintenance of our goal throughout campus, to every Latino, student and employee. Do not fail us. Sincerely, AJUA CAMPOS Copyright © 2000, Wesleyan University |