Everyone knows that the library is a place of quiet study. Students and teachers alike can retreat to the library to research, study, and perhaps find a quiet table to catch a quick nap. In mid-March, however, two incidents burst into national headlines regarding student incivility in libraries. Yes libraries!
The first involved a dispute over a library study room at George Mason University. According to the Washington Post, the study room was first occupied by Abdirashid Dahir, a Muslim student from Somalia. Dahir had left the room momentarily to get his laptop charger. When he returned, he found all of his belongings placed in the hallway and a female student occupying the room. Both students claimed dibs on the room and during a heated exchange of words, the female student allegedly warned Dahir that if he did not leave she would get him in a lot of trouble. The female student made good on her promise, because within hours Dahir was arrested for felony abduction.
The second library incident occurred when Alexandra Wallace, a student at UCLA, posted a three-minute video on YouTube ranting on how Asian students were constantly disrupting others in the library by engaging in loud cell phone conversations. The video went on to make other disparaging and offensive comments about Asians. According to Wallace, the “hordes of Asian people that UCLA accepts” should use “American manners.”
Both of these incidents drew national attention and demonstrated how incivility can get out of control. The common thread of racial tension underscores the challenges students often encounter when living, learning, and working in a diverse global community.
So what eventually happened to Dahir and Wallace? The felony abduction charges were dropped against Dahir and the abduction allegations are currently being reviewed through an internal university process. As for Wallace, she removed her video and issued a public apology in the UCLA student newspaper.
Incivility, or the lack of regard for others in the community, can escalate into offenses that can be far reaching. While we may rightfully disagree with another’s conduct, uncivil responses rarely lead to productive outcomes.
Kent M. Weeks
The first involved a dispute over a library study room at George Mason University. According to the Washington Post, the study room was first occupied by Abdirashid Dahir, a Muslim student from Somalia. Dahir had left the room momentarily to get his laptop charger. When he returned, he found all of his belongings placed in the hallway and a female student occupying the room. Both students claimed dibs on the room and during a heated exchange of words, the female student allegedly warned Dahir that if he did not leave she would get him in a lot of trouble. The female student made good on her promise, because within hours Dahir was arrested for felony abduction.
The second library incident occurred when Alexandra Wallace, a student at UCLA, posted a three-minute video on YouTube ranting on how Asian students were constantly disrupting others in the library by engaging in loud cell phone conversations. The video went on to make other disparaging and offensive comments about Asians. According to Wallace, the “hordes of Asian people that UCLA accepts” should use “American manners.”
Both of these incidents drew national attention and demonstrated how incivility can get out of control. The common thread of racial tension underscores the challenges students often encounter when living, learning, and working in a diverse global community.
So what eventually happened to Dahir and Wallace? The felony abduction charges were dropped against Dahir and the abduction allegations are currently being reviewed through an internal university process. As for Wallace, she removed her video and issued a public apology in the UCLA student newspaper.
Incivility, or the lack of regard for others in the community, can escalate into offenses that can be far reaching. While we may rightfully disagree with another’s conduct, uncivil responses rarely lead to productive outcomes.
Kent M. Weeks
