The Equality debate in UCC student elections

cork | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Friday February 17, 2006 20:54

by Paul McAndrew

paulmcandrew at gmail dot com

don't dare mention the E word

From the UCC Student's Union debate board:
http://bb.ucc.ie/viewtopic.php?t=6102&postdays=0&postor...art=0

I'm not going to vote for a president who doesn't mention equality issues in their manifesto and I'm sure I'm not the only one - Paul McAndrew"

From Richie (one of three candidates): Quote:
"Sorry paul, what do you mean by equality issues?"

From me: Quote:
"tackling barriers faced by students with disabilities, LGBT students, Muslim students etc"

From Richie: Quote:
"Well of course That's important, however i believe that it is not as important ascatering, printing or the library. If you want equality prioritised over these issues then perhaps you should vote for mariel. They are part of my goals but they are not my number one priority"

http://bb.ucc.ie/viewtopic.php?t=6102&postdays=0&postor...art=0

UCCSUPresident
Paul, I'm going to try to explain this to you really, really slowly and methodically, and hopefully you will understand. Please concentrate. Any campaign must list the priorities for the year. A SU should prioritize things that are going wrong in the university. That means the library, Campbell's, postgrad space. these are genuine problems that hundreds and even thousands of students face. There is a massive problem with postgrad space, it needs to be addressed. There is no massive problem with equality. UCC is a bastion of equality, a place where everyone, be they black, gay, Chinese or disabled are treated equally. Are you seriously suggesting that there is a problem with inequality? For someone who talks and talks and talks about openness, you can be a very small-minded and petty man. I suppose I'm being homophobic now as well. I'm very annoyed. You (a) made Richie look bad by suggesting he doesn't believe in equality, and (b) you made Mariel look bad because people are going to think you are on her campaign.

Pádraig
_________________
Padraig MacAmhlaoibh
UCCSU President

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Comments (2 of 2)

A response to paul

by Richard Morrisroe - UCC Student's Union

Tue Feb 21, 2006 13:11

sueducation at ucc dot ie

Dear All,

I have said that equality is not as big an issue for UCC student union, and i stand by that. I believe that it is much more important to prioritise issues that affect the entire student body, such as catering and the library. This does NOT mean that i am anti-equality, it just means that i have not come across huge equality problems in my time here at UCC. If i did, then of course i would act on them. Until that happens though, i will stand by my comments and work to give equality of opportunity to all students in relation to services. I believe that this is much more important than running a campaign on equality issues, especially when paul appears to be the only one who feels strongly on this.

Also, i am sick and tired of paul invading my privacy and posting my comments in a text message in a public space (two, including this site). Where's my right to privacy paul? I would have thought that you were all for rights (judging from your comments), but apparently its only when it concerns you.

Note to all readers: i have attmepted to contact mr mcandrew a number of times, and he doesn't answer his phone, so how can we possibly debate these issues? It appears that he prefers to post my private comments and blacken my name rather than sitting down with me and talking this out.

My email is below, and i wuld welcome comments.

anti-a-woman's-right-to-choose candidate

Mon Feb 20, 2006 14:07

There's also an extreme right wing anti-a-woman's-right-to-choose candidate standing for communications

http://bb.ucc.ie/viewtopic.php?t=6179

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The Equality debate in UCC student elections

Comments (2 of 2)