Re: UC Berkeley Bans White People from Community Garden

 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13257943/UC-Berkeley-accused-systemic-racism-banning-white-people-community-farm.html
 One of the most progressive and socially liberal schools in the country is
cultivating controversy as it faces accusations of racism after it allegedly
banned white residents from accessing a community farm on Saturdays.
 Gill Tract Community Farm in nearby Albany has designated Saturdays
exclusively for use by 'Black, Indigenous, and People of Color' (BIPOC) after
a complaint was filed with the US Department of Education by the Mountain
States Legal Foundation. The move has been denounced by some as an example of
'systemic racism'.
 Gill Tract Farm was established in 2013 through a partnership between
UC-Berkeley and the local communities it serves as a site for urban farming
research. Part of the farm's ethos is to support the 'food justice' movement
by cultivating crops for healthy meals.
 William Trachman, general counsel for the Mountain States Legal Foundation has
criticized the university's stance. "UC-Berkeley thinks that racial
segregation is progressive now, but it's no different than segregation of the
past," Trachman told the New York Post. "Preventing Caucasians from accessing
Berkeley's College of Natural Resources Farm on Saturdays is a clear violation
of Title VI, which bars educational institutions from engaging in or allowing
race discrimination."
 Trachman is calling for a comprehensive investigation into all UC-Berkeley
programs to address what he has described as 'systemic racism'. UC-Berkeley
has said they were unaware of the discrimination complaint until being
contacted by the media.
 "Saturdays are exclusively BIPOC. Exceptions have only been made for events
that are BIPOC-centered and with plenty of advance notice and planning," an
email sent by the garden's manager read. "I trust you stand in solidarity with
upholding boundaries around that safe and sacred space."
 After being contacted about the allegations, a spokesperson for the university
denied all knowledge of the farm's special Saturday policy.
 "The Gill Tract's website and calendar make no mention whatsoever of any
program or activity of the sort described in the complaint. Having said that,
the university takes complaints like this extremely seriously and I can assure
you that on Monday I will contact the appropriate people on campus in an
effort to determine what the facts are," UC-Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof
stated.
 This controversy emerges against the backdrop of legal challenges to
race-conscious admissions policies and diversity programs in higher education
institutions, with concerns raised about possible reverse discrimination.
 Recently, a federal discrimination complaint was filed against a Minnesota
college scholarship exclusively available to black students, with similar
claims targeting other race-based exclusionary programs at various
institutions.
 Last June the US Supreme Court ruled that race-conscious or 'affirmative
action' college admissions policies were unconstitutional and had to be
shelved.
 Programs that appear race-conscious showing greater 'diversity, equity and
inclusion' through programs specifically created to advance opportunities for
black students and other minorities have since come under legal scrutiny, amid
complaints they in fact amount to reverse discrimination.
 This not the first time far-left UC Berkeley has harvested controversy when it
comes to race. In August 2022 an off-campus co-op for students at the
university named the 'Person of Color Theme House' banned white guests from
entering common areas of the house. A list of house rules revealed how the
occupants were told "many POC moved here to be able to avoid white violence
and presence, so respect their decision of avoidance if you bring white
guests".
 While the student house aims to have an "inclusive' environment, the rules
specifically state 'white guests are not allowed in common spaces'."
 The accommodation, located close to Berkeley's campus, was a five-story,
30-room home that can house up to 56 students. The house is owned by a private
landlord.
 But the 'rules' which were leaked on social media have caused outrage - with
many people slamming the restrictions as 'racist' as others came forward and
revealed their experience living in the co-op.
 The house was set up as part of the Berkeley Student Cooperative, a program
designed to bring affordable housing to students in California's Bay-area, and
'aims to provide housing to low-income, first generation, immigrant and
marginalized students of color'.
 According to the 'rules,' people that live there should 'avoid bringing
parents/family members that express bigotry,' because 'Queer, Black, and
Indigenous members should not have to avoid common spaces because of
homophobic or racist parents/family members.'
 Janet Gilmore, Senior Director of Strategic Communications at the University
told DailyMail.com the house is not campus operated, meaning "it is not the
role of the campus to comment".
 Gilmore also said the University does have it's own Theme Programs, but they
have no such policies like the one alleged in the Reddit image, and stated
"Cal Housing Theme Programs do not discriminate on the basis of race,
consistent with UC and campus policy. As this involves an off-campus
non-affiliated landlord, the campus has no ability under the Code of Student
Conduct to discipline the landlord."