As a student who has completed several semesters of course work in the Asian American studies department, I have always held considerable respect for the department's faculty members with whom I have studied, as well as for the Asian American Studies field.
But I find the department's apparently discriminatory treatment of Lecturer Yuko Franklin (Golden Gater, April 20) to be offensive and inexcusable (see article: "Lecturer questions relationshipos in Asian studies department"). I would never have expected such a crude display of bigotry and intolerance from this department. However, given the overwhelmingly male composition of the department's faculty -- 12 men to two women, according to the '94 - '95 bulletin), perhaps it should come as no surprise that the current party line might reflect a less-than-positive attitude toward the issue of an Asian American woman's interracial marriage.
If these charges of discrimination are proven to be valid, I sincerely hope that the faculty members responsible will be held accountable for their actions.
If, as it quite often seems these days, this type of behavior is the "shape of things to come" at SF State, then I feel grateful that -- as a graduating senior -- my remaining days at this university are few in number.