Statement from Maria Carriera - Read at Press Conference for Pat Washington on March 16, 2006

[Washington vs. CSU Board of Trustees Hearing for Oral Arguments in Appeal Hearing]

Discrimination and retaliation are always wrong. They are particularly reprehensible, however, when they are directed against people who raise their voices against injustice - people such as Dr. Pat Washington. A respected scholar, admired teacher, and a role model for minority students - including African American and gay students - Pat is precisely the type of employee that the CSU should value for her ability to provide a responsive learning environment for such students. Instead, the CSU has chosen the ultimate act of retaliation: to fire Pat.

As a whistleblower, I call upon the CSU to embrace to critical voices, including Pat Washington's, for what they offer in the way of opportunities for improvement. As a professor, I call upon the CSU to reinstate Pat Washington for what she has to offer our students and her profession: a clear, strong, and thought-provoking voice.

Maria Carreira, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Spanish
California State University, Long Beach
www.whistlebusters.org