Thank you for your email. It’s good that I can talk to you, President of Massey University Chinese Students’ Association (MUCSA)..
In the past few days I’ve receiving email messages and a phone call re my interview with DomPost. Some expressed appreciation and support and some expressed dissatisfaction, but did so in an acceptable manner. To these I’ve replied in a friendly and patient manner, and it seems they have accepted my explanation. But a couple of emails are very abusive and even threaten my and my family’s lives. As I really don’t want to make a big story of it, I haven’t so far contacted the police. However, if such hate mail and threats continue, I’ll have no choice but report to the police to protect my and my family’s safety. Your allegation that a few students “got some rude reply” is not true.
All the email messages I refer to were sent anonymously. Would you please tell your members that they should show their real names and preferably their Massey ID numbers in their communication to a staff member? and perhaps also let them know the legal consequences of hate mail or threats? Anonymous email messages may not be replied, and hate mail and/or threats will be dealt with legally.
You kindly told me of your investigation and its conclusion that “none of them have provided anything for those students who went to the rally in Canberra.” In my interview I said categorically “… had no proof their travel had been paid for.” And I further indicated in the interview that the students believe what they were supporting. There is really and truly no issue here. I was told by one of the email messages that some students are going to sue me. I wonder what they will sue me for.
We staff and students at Massey are all very busy with teaching, learning and research. I hope we will not waste any precious time on meaningless pursuit. From now on I will not spend any time replying groundless accusations. If some people believe they have grievances against me, they can bring their case to whatever committee or even a legal court.
I appreciate your offer to promote better communication. Hopefully you will tell your members know what I say in this message.
I share your wish that this little incident will die down and go away.
I talked to the AUS representative today and told him about my appreciation of your role in this matter. He will perhaps write to you.
I don’t have much involvement with the Chinese community either at Massey or at large. The main contact is with my internal class on campus. I believe I generally enjoyable good relations with my students. This semester I teach 169.344 Chinese Grammar. The class chairman is Guo Weishan (ID04115104, [email protected]). You can learn more about me from him.
Your advice about being careful in dealing with the media is a good one. Thanks a lot!
Regards,
LI Dong From: Li, Jack Sent: Monday, 5 May 2008 7:06 p.m. To: Li, Dong Subject: RE: Regarding the Dominion Post article
Dear Dr. Li
I am glad to hear that, and hope this issue will fully stop very soon.
I had been interviewed by the media before and understand that how they speak or act on hearsay evidence and misinterpret the community with glossology.
I hope you would be more careful to deal with the media in future to avoid this kind of misunderstanding between you and Chinese community.
All the best and thanks for your cooperation.
Kind regards,
Jack Li
President of
Massey University Chinese Students’ Association (MUCSA)
PhD Candidate of
Institute of Technology and Engineering
From: Li, Dong Sent: Saturday, 3 May 2008 7:39 p.m. To: Li, Jack Subject: RE: Regarding the Dominion Post article Importance: High
Dear Mr Li,
Thank you for telling your members "to stop threats and treat this issue in a more peaceful and mature manner." This is absolutely correct and shows good leadership.
I'm glad to tell you that since we exchanged email, there has been no harassment on me by email and telephone.
However, yesterday I was told by my friends in Auckland that on the website skykiwi there are abusive messages that are nasty, obscene and totally irresponsible personal attacks on me. I'm not going to waste my time looking at the rubbish, but please tell your members that there is a limit to my patience and remind them of the legal consequences of their action.
As you said, "peaceful and mature manner" is the only correct manner to deal with any differences.