Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Oct. 8, 1986, edition 1 / Page 8
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8The Daily Tar Heel Wednesday, October 8, 1986 latlg (Har 1M 94 th year of editorial freedom JIM ZOOK, Editor Randy Farmer, Managing Editor ED BRACKETT, Associate Editor DEWEY MESSER, Associate Editor Tracy Hill, News Editor Grant Parsons. University Editor Linda Montanari, City Editor JILL GERBER, State and National Editor Scott Fowler, sports Editor KATHY PETERS, Features Editor ROBERT KEEFE, Business Editor Elizabeth Ellen, Am Editor DAN CHARLSON, Photography Editor Understanding goes both ways When Black Awareness Week began Monday, students were told its purpose was two-fold: to develop more unity and pride among black students, and to make others more aware of blacks at UNC. If the second goal is not reached, white and black students should share the blame. The week, sponsored by the Black Student Movement and the Black Greek Council, offers a variety of events performances by the BSM subgroups, a petition drive for the recognition of Martin Luther King Jrs birthday and a panel discussion among three black sororities. The events can be successful, since they offer students the opportunity to speak out, celebrate and enjoy their race. But no event in the week promotes inter jaction between white and black students. The best way for others to better appreciate, to become more aware of blacks at UNC, is through give-and-jake. The events of the week offer White students more of a chance to observe than participate. One such event would have been invaluable. A panel discussion between black and predominantly white organizations or an evening of entertainment co-hosted by the BSM subgroups and other campus performers would have not only heightened awareness of blacks on campus, but provided an oppor tunity for a sharing of views and culture. On the other side, white students on this campus generally have not gone out of their way to show an interest in other cultures. UNC at times seems a place where students preach racial unity and interaction because it is part of the "liberal" tradition. But most of the whites who attended the BSM choir performances last semester were from the community, not the Univer sity. Few white students have been to a black or international cultural event on this campus. For true sharing among races, interest is the key factor. White students have to care enough to attend non-white cultural events. And it could take a little nerve for a white student to attend a BSM dance, or an Inter national Student Union celebration. To walk into a gathering where one stands out because of one's color or culture is not easy. But black and other non-white students on this campus do it every day. A LaRouchian nightmare As the nation laughed at his antics, Lyndon LaRouche laughed up his sleeve while he and his followers surreptitiously maneuvered them selves into the political systems of 26 states. Then Monday, 10 LaRouche followers were indicted for a $1 million credit card scam which has been under investigation for nearly two years. He may not be laughing much longer. LaRouche has been tolerated as a farcical presidential candidate since 1976. His notorious campaign slogans supporting nuclear weapons include "Better a laser in the air, than a Russian missile in your derriere." He's also claimed that there is a worldwide, anti-democratic conspiracy headed by Italian aristocrats, Jewish bankers, Chinese intelligence agents and Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. But the laughter was obviously working to LaRouche's advantage. Many unsuspecting people contrib uted to his campaign. When the credit card bill arrived, these victims disco vered that they had been suckered out of thousands of dollars. And then there was last March. In the Illinois primary elections, two "LaRouchies" won the Democratic nominations for lieutenant governor and secretary and state. This brought a national outcry and the revelation that over 2,000 followers of LaRouche were running in elections across the country. It also sped up the U.S. Justice Department's investigation of the reputed credit card fraud. On Monday, the investigation climaxed with the issuance of federal indict ments and a raid on LaRouche's headquarters in Leesburg, Va. And it may have come just in time. With elections less than four weeks away, the LaRouchies should be exposed and their policies scrutinized. Some of the planks in LaRouche's national agenda include mandatory AIDS testing for all Americans and "Nuremberg tribunals" for drug dealers, bankers and other "boys at the top." LaRouche lambasts his critics with irrational accusations anyone who opposes him is either a "drug dealer" or a "homosexual." Even more dis turbing is the thought that this all may have been a show to conceal the actions resulting in the indictment. If so, the show is over and the "behind-the-scenes" drama will be revealed. Either way, the voters must look past the glitz and the glamour. The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Writer: Kathy Nanney Editorial Assistant: Nicki Weisensee Omnibus Editor: Sallie Krawcheck Assistant Managing Editors: Jennifer Cox, Amy Hamilton, Donna Leinwand and Regan Murray. News: Jeanna Baxter, Andrea Beam, Stephanie Burrow, Chris Chapman, Paul Cory, Sabrina Darley, Kimberly Edens, Michelle Efird, Jennifer Essen, Jeannie Faris, Scott Greig, Maria Haren, Nancy Harrington, Suzanne Jeffries, Susan Jensen, Sharon Kebschull, Michael Kolb, Teresa Kriegsman, Laura Lance, Scott Larsen, Alicia Lassiter, Mitra Lotfi, Brian Long, Justin McGuire, Karen McManis, Laurie Martin, Toby Moore, Dan Morrison, Felisa Neuringer, Rachel Orr, Fred Patterson, Liz Saylor, Sheila Simmons, Rachel Stiffler, Elisa Turner, Beth Williams, Robert Wilderman and Bruce Wood. Jo Fleischer and Jean Lutes, assistant university editors. Donna Leinwand, assistant state and national editor. Cindy Clark and Ruth Davis, wire editors. Sports: Mike Berardino, James Surowiecki and Bob Young, assistant sports editors. Bonnie Bishop, Greg Cook, Phyllis Fair, Laura Grimmer, Greg Humphreys, Lorna Khalil, Eddy Landreth, Mike Mackay, Kathy Mulvey, Jill Shaw and Wendy Stringfellow. Features: Jessica Brooks, Julie Braswell, Eleni Chamis, Robbie Dellinger, Carole Ferguson, Jennifer Frost, Jennifer Harley, Jeanie Mamo, Corin Ortlam, Lynn Phillips, Katie White, Mollie Womble and Susan Wood. Arts: James Burrus, David Hester, Alexandra Mann, Rene Meyer, Beth Rhea, Kelly Rhodes and Rob Sherman. Photography: Charlotte Cannon, Larry Childress, Jamie Cobb, Tony Deifell, Janet Jar man and Julie Stovall. Copy Editors: Karen Anderson, assistant news editor. Dorothy Batts, Beverly Imes, Lisa Lorentz, Sherri Murray, Sally Pearsall, Marielle Stachura and Joy Thompson. Editorial Cartoonists: Adam Cohen, Bill Cokas and Trip Park. Campus Calendar: Mindelle Rosenberg and David Starnes. Business and Advertising: Anne Fulcher, general manager; Patricia Benson, advertising director; Mary Pcarse, advertising coordinator. Angela Ostwalt, business manager; Cammie Henry, accounts receivable clerk; Eve Davis, advertising manager, Ruth Anderson, Jennifer Garden, Kelli McElhaney, Chrissy Mennitt, Beth Merrill, Anne Raymer, Julie Settle, Peggy Smith, Kent Sutton, Ashley Waters, and Layne Poole advertising representatives; Tammy Norris, Angie Peele, Stephanie Chesson, classified advertising representatives; and Mary Brown, secretary. Distributioncirculation: William Austin, manager. Production: Elizabeth Rich and Stacy Wynn. Rita Galloway, production assistant. Printing: The Chapel Hill Newspaper A week to. dispel racial ignorance The author is vice president of the Black Student Movement. Anew system of minority recruitment, one with more emphasis on student input, has only this year been instituted. An editorial cartoon on this very page sparked and continues to breed great controversy and criticism. Verbal assaults have been directed towards "the niggers" of Suite A, and questions of the "If you don't like it, why'd you come here in the first place?" mentality are asked, albeit anonym ously. Plans for the Black Cultural Center have reached yet another standstill, with further problems expected to follow. UNC's black population is thrust into this atmos phere and still expected to perform at an above-average level. However, these problems pale when measured against another, greater evil: ignorance. UNC's administration clearly has no clue as to how to tackle the twin issues of minority recruitment and retention. The majority of the white population on campus sees no need to address concerns of cultural adjustment, for as even white members of the Campus Y group, Students for the Advancement of Race Relations, have Eric Walker Guest Writer expressed, they don't see the problems. Possibly most irritating are the blacks who question the existence of groups such as the Black Student Movement, the Black Greek Council and black Greek-letter organiza tions, saying they foster animosity between the races rather than harmony. Meanwhile, black students who need and would love to get involved (but simply don't know how) spend frustrating years at UNC. My friends, this is the reason for Black Awareness Week, co-sponsored by the BSM and Black Greek Council. This week was designed to give a view to interested white students as to why vocal black students fight so hard and so long to obtain and maintain basic rights and privileges which should be theirs from the start. The committee wants to educate skeptics from the entire Univer sity community to the relevance of minority concerned groups and the problems they must face to not only execute their pro grams, but survive. The committee intends to use this week as a vehicle to show black students that there are outlets for their creative juices, support groups for them to express their concerns and groups for them to present their political views. This is a week to celebrate the black experience at UNC, not for being better, or worse or just different than any other experience, but for being special in and of itself. However, it is hoped that more than just the 9 percent of UNC's student population targeted by Black Awareness Week will take steps to get involved and experience the fruits of the labor this committee has dedicated. From the speeches on Monday to the all-Greek stepshow for Shaw Uni versity on Friday, from the BSM activities today to the subgroup performances tonight and with all of the activities in between, there is something for everyone. All that remains is the experience. Black Awareness Week runs until Oct. 10. I'd like to see everybody participate, because after this, even ignorance is not a good excuse. Eric Walker is a senior philosophy speech communications major from New Bern. Meritous judges To the editor: While visiting Chapel Hill, I had a chance to read the Sept. 26 editorial, "Courting a better process," which dealt with the effect of partisan politics on N.C. judicial races. As a former member of the General Assembly and chair man of the N.C. Courts Com mission, I have long been a supporter of legislation provid ing for the merit selection of justices and judges. In fact, I introduced the last bill which would have established a merit selection system. Although it received a majority of votes in the N.C. House, it failed to pass because it involved a constitu tional amendment, which requires a three-fifths vote for passage. Nevertheless, the need for re examining the methods by which we select members of the judiciary is as critical now as ever. North Carolina has been well-served by justices and judges of the highest caliber, and even though we have had a "partisan" political process to select our judges, and even though Democrats have dom inated the judiciary, the proce dure which calls for statewide elections has served to effec tively insulate our justices and judges from partisan political pressures. Unfortunately, that "insulation" has now been removed, and our justices and judges are being subjected to a partisan political campaign that may irreparably damage the credibility and effectiveness of our judicial system. When a former governor lends his name to a group calling themselves "Citizens for a Conservative Court" and implicitly endorses a mislead ing and dishonest campaign that centers on Justice James Exum's personal opposition to the death penalty, we all have reason to be concerned about the future of the judicial branch of government in North Carol ina. Nor does this race reflect the traditional differences between state Democrats and Republicans. On the contrary, it is a clear indication that individuals and organizations with an agenda of their own are attempting to usurp the judi ciary to serve their own pur poses. We need to remember that it is the legislative branch of government that sets public policy in this state, and that it is the role of the judicial branch to interpret and apply that policy in a fairly. We are now on a course that could destroy not only the image and credibility of our court system, but any chance of meaningful reform to our judicial selection process. Per haps we need to call it some thing other than "merit selec tion," but we do need to do all that we can to preserve the traditional independence, objectivity and trust that has marked our court system for decades. For tho Record In the Oct. 1 issue of The Daily Tar Heel, a letter by Curtis Small ("Drug hysteria read that "drug use is more prevalent now than at most other times during the past 20 years." The letter should have read, "drug use is no more prevalent The Daily Tar Heel regrets the error. f( MTV?) A u z. , n n rrNI U WANUt tUUN I y VOTER REGISTRATION iii WVJ ST Editorial cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Daily Tar Heel's editorial board. The cartoons express the opinion of the cartoonist. The Daily Tar Heel welcomes reader com ment. For style and clarity, we ask that you observe the following guidelines for letters to the editor and columns: B All letters I columns must be signed by the author(s). Limit of two signatures per letter or column. B Students who submit letters columns should also include their name, year in school, major and phone number. Professors and other University employees should include their title and department. B All letters columns must be typed. (For easier editing, we ask that they be double-spaced on a 60-space line.) B The Daily Tar Heel reserves the right to edit letters and columns for style, grammar and accuracy. For that reason, I intend to support those Democratic jus tices and judges who are cam paigning for office, not only because of their qualifications, but because I believe we need to send a message to those who would defeat them with false and misleading campaign tac tics, and to make it clear that the people of North Carolina will not be swayed by negative, dishonest and intimidating rhetoric. Thanks for your editorial. H. PARKS HELMS Charlotte In the self-righteous camp To the editor: Pierre Tristam writes in his Tuesday column ("The 10 Commandments revised") that societies that break the Commandments are "healthy," those that apply them are "self righteous." Then he proceeds, oddly enough, to apply the Commandments to a number of groups and to criticize those groups for breaking the Commandments. I suppose, then, that Tristam intends to place himself in the camp of the "self-righteous" while putting television evange lists, the Pentagon, Congress, anti-Sandinistas, etc. among the "healthy." I'm not sure I agree with the second part of that last state ment, but the first part seems just right. DAVID WHARTON Graduate Classics Concern for Carolina minorities should begin at home To the editor: For the past year, UNC has sought ways to increase black enrollment. It seems that every suggestion is being employed. Perhaps in an attempt to reach the golden 10 percent mark, UNC officials have overlooked the obvious. What makes a person choose one school over another? There are a number of factors, but allow me to recall my own experience .... For many years, black stu dents have continuously strived to achieve a better academic and social environment on predominantly white college campuses. As I prepared to choose a university, I knew not from experience the grievances these students held, but rather from hearsay. I did not choose to come to UNC because of the mail I received, nor because of greater financial security. I had not dreamed all of my life of being a Tar Heel. Instead, I chose this institution because of its fine reputation and the respectable manner in which other students spoke of it. Because I desire to one day be successful and to enjoy myself while achieving this success, I decided to join the Carolina family. Early on, I felt I could not have chosen a better place. From an academic standpoint, I could not ask for more. I was given the opportunity to attend the Summer Bridge Program, which gave me a head start over other incoming freshmen and allowed me to make many friends. Also, I had the assist ance of a minority advisor and minority tutorial service, which 1 utilized at every available opportunity. There were also countless other benefits I had that perhaps I would not have received at another university. However, even though everything appeared to be so wonderful, there was still some thing missing. In the midst of all the glory, I found that I was being deprived socially. I did not have the chance to freely express myself because there were not enough opportunities where I was in a comfortable environment with people I could relate to. The situation is still the same. I long for a place to go where I can enjoy old friends and make new ones. I have, not found that place at Carolina. For you see, blacks at Carol ina have no fraternity or sor ority houses (heaven forbid an entire "frat court"). There is no black cultural center (despite the Black Student Movement's hard work to create one). There is no Troll's, He's Not Here or Henderson Street Bar for blacks (unless you happen to be a black cowboy or punk rocker not to offend anyone who lacks a little soul). So what does Carolina offer blacks for social life? Well, there is "the wall" outside the undergraduate library unless it happens to rain. There is Great Hall (home of the blood mobile), where one is guaran teed a good time until the wee hour of midnight. There is Upendo Lounge, a room the size of a dorm room, which does its best to hold all who come to socialize (and sweat and be pushed around by the crowd and walk an incredible country mile from North Campus). All of this may sound glor ious to some, but the truth is that white students have not and would not tolerate this, so why must we? I am a student speaking for many. Those who read this and conclude that black students want too much should not even begin to judge because they lack the experience of knowing. I am not sure where these words will lead or what changes, if any, will be made. I am proud that I have taken a step in airing my opinions and I hope that others will follow. To sum it up: University administrators, if you hope to increase black enrollment at this university, then it would be to your advan tage to take interest in the needs and wants of .the black students already here. LATONYA BROOME Sophomore Political Science Speech Communications
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Oct. 8, 1986, edition 1
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