🏫💼 New UA Prez Faces Backlash: DEI in the Crosshairs?
Based on the 10/03/24 Wake Up Tucson on KVOI-1030AM.
🙊 Notable quotes from the show
"College kids have never read everything they're assigned, of course. He says, but this feels different. Dom's students have now seen bewildered by the thought of finishing reading and finishing multiple books in a semester." - Christopher DeSimone, discussing the Atlantic article on college students' reading abilities
"DEI is dead already. I would look at the last set of job cuts. How many DEI officers you have per student? Because I think that number would astound you." - Christopher DeSimone, criticizing diversity initiatives at UA
"So what happens is a guy who's 100% unfit for office is now going to win and then he's going to quit during his time in office." - Christopher DeSimone, speculating about Rep. Grijalva's health and political future
"Hurricane Helene has been, been compared to, if you all remember back in 2017, like Hurricane Harvey, Irma Maria, they're saying that this is worse than that." - Courtney from Red Cross, discussing the severity of Hurricane Idalia
"You need to stop using your bird feeders if you're using them at this time because they need to go to where they need to fly to down south. If you keep those things going, they're going to die in the winter." - Gary from Bisbee, advising on hummingbird feeding practices
⏮️ ICYMI: From the Last Show…
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
📻 This radio show talked about some big grown-up stuff! 📚 They said college kids are having trouble reading books, which is making teachers worried. 🏫 A new boss at a big school wants to make changes, but some people don't like his ideas. 🏐 There's a fight about who gets to play in girls' sports games. 🌪️ A big storm called Idalia hurt a lot of people, and helpers are trying to make things better. 🗳️ They also talked about a sick leader and who might take his job. It's all pretty complicated, but it's important because it affects how people live and work together! 🌈
🗝️ Takeaways
📚❗ College students' reading abilities are alarmingly low, raising questions about K-12 education
🏫⚖️ New UA leadership faces challenges in balancing research, costs, and diversity initiatives
🏐🚺 Transgender athletes in women's sports remain a contentious issue, highlighting need for inclusive policies
🗳️🤔 Rep. Grijalva's health sparks debate about political succession and representation
🌪️🆘 Hurricane Idalia's devastation underscores the need for better disaster preparedness and climate action
📻👀 Wake Up Tucson's conservative bias influences its coverage of complex social and political issues
📻 What They Discussed
On October 3, 2024, Wake Up Tucson, a conservative radio show hosted by Christopher DeSimone and Matt Neely, aired another episode filled with local and national topics. The show featured several guests, including:
U.S. Congressman David Schweikert, who discussed various political issues;
CJ Hamm, the owner of Hammbones restaurant, shared updates on his business and
Courtney, from the Southern Arizona Red Cross, provided information on Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
The show also included call-ins from listeners, adding a community perspective to the discussions.
🎓 The Reading Crisis: Unpacking College Students' Literacy Struggles
The hosts delved into a recent Atlantic article highlighting the alarming trend of college students struggling with reading comprehension and completing assigned books. This discussion centered around the observations of Nicholas Dames, a Columbia University professor who has been teaching literature since 1998. Dames noted a significant shift in students' abilities to engage with complex texts, even at elite institutions.
The hosts explored various aspects of this issue, including:
The shocking revelation that some students had never been required to read an entire book in high school
The decrease in students' vocabulary and language understanding
The difficulty students face in staying focused on even short texts like sonnets
This conversation raised important questions about the effectiveness of the current education system, the impact of technology on reading habits, and the potential long-term consequences for society. However, the hosts' approach to this topic lacked a nuanced understanding of the systemic issues that contribute to these educational disparities, particularly those affecting marginalized communities.
🏫 New Leadership at UA: Dr. Garimella's Vision and Challenges
A significant portion of the show was dedicated to discussing Dr. Garimella's appointment as the new president of the University of Arizona. The hosts analyzed Dr. Garimella's introductory email to the university community, criticizing what they perceived as a lack of substance in his communication.
Key points of discussion included:
Dr. Garimella's emphasis on research and its potential impact on tuition costs
The suggestion to reduce the number of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) officers at the university
Concerns about the university's spending on a Washington D.C. office
The need to address the issue of students taking remedial courses due to inadequate K-12 preparation
While the hosts raised some valid concerns about university administration and fiscal responsibility, their criticism of DEI initiatives revealed a conservative bias that fails to recognize the importance of these programs in creating an inclusive educational environment, especially for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
🏐 Transgender Athletes in Sports: The Volleyball Boycott Controversy
The show discussed the recent decision by the University of Wyoming and other schools to boycott volleyball games against San Jose State University due to their inclusion of a transgender athlete. This topic highlighted the ongoing debate about transgender participation in women's sports.
The hosts presented this issue primarily from a conservative viewpoint, focusing on:
The perceived unfairness of allowing transgender women to compete in women's sports
The dominating performance of the transgender athlete in question
Support for the boycotting schools' decisions
However, this discussion lacked a nuanced understanding of gender identity, the complexities of athletic performance, and the importance of inclusivity in sports. The hosts' perspective failed to consider the psychological and social impacts of excluding transgender athletes from competition.
🌪️ Hurricane Helene: Disaster Response and Community Support
The show featured an interview with Courtney from the Southern Arizona Red Cross, providing valuable information about the response to Hurricane Helene. Key points included:
The severity of Hurricane Helene compared to previous disasters like Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria
The Red Cross's efforts in pre-positioning resources and personnel
The ongoing need for volunteers and donations
While this segment provided important information about disaster relief efforts, the hosts missed an opportunity to discuss the broader implications of increasingly severe weather events and the need for climate change action.
🍽️ Local Business Spotlight: Hammbones Restaurant
CJ Hamm, owner of Hammbones restaurant, called in to discuss his business's recent opening and daily specials. This segment highlighted:
The restaurant's focus on home-style cooking and comfort food
The popularity of certain dishes, like chicken fried steak
The challenges and successes of opening a new restaurant
This discussion provided a lighter moment in the show and highlighted local business initiatives, but it also demonstrated the hosts' tendency to focus on familiar, traditional aspects of local culture.
🗳️ The Grijalva Legacy: Fighting for Progress in Southern Arizona
Queridos lectores, the recent speculation about Representative Raúl Grijalva's health and potential successors on Wake Up Tucson, has brought to light an important conversation about the future of progressive leadership in our community. While the conservative hosts frame this as a cause for concern, we see it as an opportunity to reflect on Grijalva's impactful career and the promising future of progressive politics in Southern Arizona.
Rep. Grijalva, a proud Chicano and lifelong advocate for social justice, has been a beacon of hope for our community since his election to Congress in 2002. His unwavering commitment to environmental protection, immigrant rights, and educational equity has made him a true champion of the people.
The conservative radio hosts' disrespectful speculation about his health - "So what happens is a guy who's 100% unfit for office is now going to win, and then he's going to quit during his time in office" - not only demeans Grijalva's decades of service but also reveals their fear of the progressive movement he represents.
Let's be clear: Grijalva's potential successors are not a threat to our community, as Wake Up Tucson would have you believe. They are the next generation of leaders who will carry forward the torch of progressive values and fight for the rights of working-class and BIPOC communities.
Take Mayor Regina Romero, for instance. Dismissed by the conservative hosts as the "pathetic mayor of Tucson," Romero has, in fact, been a trailblazer. As Tucson's first Latina mayor, she has championed climate action, affordable housing, and workers' rights. Her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated her commitment to public health and community well-being, often in the face of opposition from conservative state leadership.
Then there's Lane Santa Cruz, a Tucson City Council member whom the hosts fear might become "your next mayor." What the conservatives fail to mention is Santa Cruz's deep roots in community organizing and her tireless advocacy for marginalized communities. Her perspective as a queer Chicana brings much-needed representation to local government and ensures that diverse voices are heard in policy-making.
The hosts' fear-mongering about these potential successors speaks volumes about their agenda. They're not concerned about effective governance; they're worried about losing their grip on power. Progressive leaders like Romero and Santa Cruz threaten the status quo that has long benefited the wealthy and privileged at the expense of our communities.
Moreover, the focus on individual personalities misses the broader point. The progressive movement in Southern Arizona is not about one person but about a collective vision for a more just and equitable society. Whether it's Grijalva, Romero, Santa Cruz, or another yet-to-emerge leader carrying the banner, the movement will continue to grow and fight for the rights of all people.
As we look to the future, let's remember the words of the great Dolores Huerta: "Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world." The potential transition in leadership is not something to fear but an opportunity to energize our movement and bring new voices to the forefront.
To our conservative friends at Wake Up Tucson, we say: Your fear-mongering won't work here. The people of Southern Arizona know the power of progressive policies to improve their lives. From environmental protection to workers' rights, from immigrant justice to education equity, we will continue to fight for a future that benefits all, not just the privileged few.
To our community, we say, "Stay engaged, stay active, and keep pushing for the change we need." The future of our movement depends on each one of us stepping up and making our voices heard. Whether Grijalva is in office or a new progressive leader, our commitment to justice and equity remains unwavering.
¡La lucha sigue! The struggle continues, and together, we will build a brighter future for all of Southern Arizona.
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👯 People Mentioned
Dr. Garimella: New UA President. "I greatly appreciate the generosity of spirit. Blah, blah, blah, blah. To the wild, let's get to a little more possible meat." - criticized for vague communication
Rep. Raúl Grijalva: U.S. Representative, discussed due to health issues. "So what happens is a guy who's 100% unfit for office is now going to win and then he's going to quit during his time in office." - hosts speculating about his ability to serve
David Schweikert: U.S. Congressman, guest on the show discussing political issues
CJ Hamm: Owner of Ham Bones restaurant, discussed business operations
Courtney: Red Cross representative, provided information on Hurricane Idalia response
Regina Romero: Mayor of Tucson, referred to as "pathetic mayor" by hosts
Lane Santa Cruz: Tucson City Council member, mentioned as potential mayoral successor
Nicholas Dames: Columbia University professor discussed in Atlantic article about students' reading abilities
Martha Maxwell: Literacy scholar mentioned in discussion about reading abilities
Anthony Grafton: Princeton historian mentioned in discussion about students' vocabulary
Jack Chen: University of Virginia professor mentioned in discussion about students' comprehension
Daniel Shore: Chair of Georgetown University English Department, mentioned in context of students' attention spans
🧐 Propaganda AI-nalysis
Wake Up Tucson employs several propaganda techniques:
Name-calling: Using terms like "pathetic mayor" for Regina Romero.
Oversimplification: Reducing complex issues like transgender rights in sports to simplistic narratives.
Bandwagon: Presenting conservative views as widely accepted.
Scapegoating: Blaming DEI initiatives for university issues.
Appeal to fear: Using fear-mongering tactics about progressive politicians.
Cherry-picking: Selectively presenting information that supports conservative viewpoints.
False dilemmas: Presenting issues as having only two sides, ignoring nuance.
Ad hominem attacks: Focusing on personal criticisms rather than policy discussions.
Confirmation bias: Reinforcing pre-existing conservative beliefs.
Emotional manipulation: Using emotive language to elicit strong reactions from listeners.