Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor is an agent for peace, not conflict, in Fresno | Opinion

I write in response to the letter published in The Fresno Bee Opinion page on Sept. 5 opposing the renaming of West California Avenue for César E. Chávez Boulevard.

I leave to one side the question of the street renaming. My purpose here is to correct regrettable misunderstandings that led the author to lay a charge of racism on an honored community member, Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor. Dr. Kapoor, a professor emeritus of social work education and peace and conflict studies at Fresno State, taught and served for 56 years.

For decades, Hispanic, Southeast Asian, Blacks, Sikh, white, and faith groups of all stripes have collaborated with Dr. Kapoor on community projects and issues related to bringing equity for people of color and their children to the whole city of Fresno. His life’s work has been to drive both public policy and human understanding, enhance educational opportunity, embracing and celebrating the rich diversity of our community, and promoting open-mindedness and mutual respect among the diverse populations of Fresno.

Dr. Kapoor has been uniquely successful in bringing about dialogue among community groups that promotes understanding, tolerance and mutual respect.

Dr. Kapoor’s vision and commitment to equal justice likewise drove the creation of The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Committee, which for decades has commemorated and celebrated Dr. King’s life over the weekend around his birthday on Jan. 15.

The Martin Luther King Jr. statue in Courthouse Park exists because Dr. Kapoor pushed for it. He has been integral to the annual garlanding ceremony there celebrating Dr. King’s life and work.

Opinion

Also Dr. Kapoor’s was the concept for a Peace Garden at Fresno State. His efforts as chair of the Peace Garden Advisory Committee — which included students, faculty, and administration — culminated in dedication of a memorial to honor Mahatma Gandhi on Oct. 2, 1990.

One of four mission statements of the Peace Garden is to provide a site where people can recognize the contribution of and pay homage to those whose lives and struggles are exemplary in fighting prejudice, discrimination and oppression, and who have made a significant impact in paving the way for a just and humane social order. The statues in the Peace Garden now include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., César Chávez, Jane Addams and Dean Richard D. Ford; soon to be added is a statue of Nelson Mandela.

When the late owner and CEO of The California Advocate newspaper, Les Kimber, formed the Civility Committee to communicate community concerns about racist content in the Rush Limbaugh program on KMJ, and to persuade the CSUF Foundation to drop its support, he turned to Dr. Kapoor as an obvious ally in the effort. Dr. Kapoor’s leadership was instrumental in helping the Foundation see that sponsoring hate speech violated its mission.

This is not a complete list. But it may explain why many of us, representing many different ethnic and racial groups and social strata of Fresno, believe Dr. Kapoor exemplifies the ‘Sí se puede’ (Yes, we can) attitude. That is, a personal and organizational spirit that exemplifies confidence, courage, hard work, and the belief that we can do what seems impossible — such as to achieve social justice.

Dr. Kapoor’s every effort throughout his long life has been to move Fresno toward that ideal. This record merits deep respect, not ad hominem attacks.

Venancio G. Gaona is a retired Fresno City College/State Center Community College District instructor.