LETTER: 'SuperShu'

John Shu's column (DP 4/13/92) was simply a tribute to John Shu by John Shu for John Shu. I would prefer that Shu confine his need to toot his own horn to the private pages of his diary, and not to the public space of the editorial page. At the very least, he should present the facts. The Asian American Student Alliance initiated the campaign to change the name of the Department of Oriental Studies a year before Shu even entered the picture. The issue was not, is not and will never be solely Shu's battle. I thank Shu for bringing awareness to Asian American issues through his former column, but refuse to give him credit for being the only leader in such causes. It is well-known that Shu can talk the talk, but where was he when it was time to walk the walk? It was the United Minorities Council and others that devoted hours in meetings this year with the Oriental Studies Department, the dean, the Trustees, the provost, the president and others. No one is denying Shu credit for the role he played -- least of all Shu himself -- but he should have the decency to acknowledge those who worked as hard as -- if not harder than -- he ever did, in addition to those he recognized. To believe "SuperShu" would be to believe that he is the only student on this campus working actively for positive change and the only one who knows how. This is just not true. Wake up! MARNIE SHANBHAG College '93