North Carolina Newspapers

T 8The Daily Tar HeelFriday, October 6, 1989 Now that Stupent CoxGZess1 RESOLUTION on abortion has The HecroR's crowd OM FLA6 &URNIN&: 97th year of editorial freedom PASSED, OTHER GROUPS Sharon Kebschull, Editor WILLIAM TaCGART, Managing Editor Ohl CAMPUS FEEL COM- PELLEO TO 5PEAK OUfA MARY Jo LXJNNINGTON, Editorial Page Editor JUSTIN McGuiRE, University Editor KAREN DUNN, State and National Editor TOM PARKS, Business Editor DAVE GLENN, Sports Editor MELANIE BLACK, Design Editor TAMMY BLACKARD, Editorial Page Editor JENNY CLONINGER, University Editor Jessica Lanning, City Editor CARA BONNETT, Arts and Features Editor Kelly Thompson, Omnibus Editor DAVID SuROWIECKI, Photography Editor Julia Coon, Neivs Editor The SuGPiuc duo on BAST toMlMY: ZjT-f T7l VWXIPEOPLEM Changing perspectives Strengthen math and foreign languages board opinion The administra- -tive committee con sidering ways to separate the General m College math and foreign language re quirements is on the right track, but if the University wants to maintain prestige as one of the best, it needs to up the ante. America's education system is failing miserably, as an education summit high lighted in Charlottesville last week. The United States lags behind other countries in math and science technology, and our students are hardly proficient in foreign languages. The trend must stop somewhere; stiffer math and language requirements at UNC would be a much-needed step. " UNC now links math and foreign lan guage requirements, although the two are unrelated. Students must take either one math and a language through the fourth level or two maths and a language through the third level. Some students place out of both and take no courses in either depart ment before graduation. A better plan may be to make all students take at least two maths and a language through the fourth level, if only to take a step toward improv ing American education. Of course, it's easy to argue for these reforms because few of us at UNC now will be affected if changes are made. We have already met, or are in the process of meeting, the math and language require ments, and there aren't many students who would prefer stiffer course loads. But stu dents may be cheating themselves. Upon leaving UNC, they may have a less liberal education than the diploma suggests. As people in foreign nations usually speak at least two languages, and technological advances are making the world more sci ence and math-oriented, American stu dents must get moving. Most top universities in the nation have math and foreign language requirements similar to or tougher than UNC's. But with the talk about improving the quality of American education, the curriculums at universities across the nation will proba bly be toughened. Universities-such as Harvard already have tougher requirements for students in math, foreign language and science, though the requirements vary from department to department. Duke Univer sity may not have requirements as tough as Harvard, but it does require students to take upper-level courses in math or foreign language. Students may opt out of either math or foreign languages, but not both. University committee members consid ering separating the math and foreign lan guage requirements are not sure whether they will "intensify any requirements" if the areas are separated. But if the matter is a choice between more student autonomy and bettering American education, the choice should be clear. More stringent requirements may not sound very inviting for students who have difficulty with both math and foreign languages, and depart ments may have trouble finding the faculty for extra courses, but in the long run, the change would only bring respect to UNC. It's like the medicine that tastes horrible eventually, it will make you better. 'King Arthur' is dead But Chapman and Python will live on Fans of Monty Python and the comedic genius of its members are in mourning this week over the death of Graham Chapman, one of the founding fathers of the British comedy troupe begun in 1968. Chapman, 48, passed away Wednesday after a long battle with can cer. Although the group's last major endeavor was in 1 983, most of the group's members were with Chapman at the time of his death. Ironi cally, Monty Python recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, which the group commemo rated by filming a television special to air later in the year. While there MMMMBMaaaaaBBMB isnocauseforcelebra- Jfe WQrfi Qf COmedV tion right now, we can J be assured that the bril- 1V xl liant work of Chapman Will greatly miSS and associates will remain a favorite Graham aild WS throughout the world. Chapman is proba- f olpntc bly best known for his 11C111&. role as King Arthur in i Niih!" ARTHUR: "No! Not the Knights who say Niih!" KNIGHT: "The same." ARTHUR: (aside) "Those who hear them seldom live to tell the tale! ... Oh, Knights of Niih, you are just and fair, and we will return with a shrubbery." KNIGHT: "One that looks nice." ARTHUR: "Of course!" Well, you get the idea, not to mention other memorable scenes such as the "hilarious dis iHHHHa membering" of the black knight or the king's idiotic galloping to the sound of two coconuts. But Chapman's work in other Python endeavors is equally as memo rable, such as the role of Brian, the reluctant Messiah in "The Life the group's first and classic film, "Monty of Brian," and countless characters in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." The popularity of Python's Flying Circus." Chapman's work, Graham and Monty Python, and especially of similar to that of his associates, was character- this film, appears to be as strong in Chapel Hill ized by great versatility, such as the ability to as anywhere else. For example, a local theater's play female roles as well as, if not better than, midnight screening of "Holy Grail" last week male roles. sold out . This is no surprise; most students The world of comedy will greatly miss have seen the film at least once, and many can Graham and his talents. Although Monty Py- probably quote several of its immortal lines thon could never be the same without his valu- verbatim. Take this remark, for example: . able contributions, the group's work will main- ARTHUR: "No, on second thought, let's tain its popularity for years to come. This is ob- not go to Camelot. It is a silly place." viously what Chapman would have wanted; Or this exchange with the Knights of Niih even in "Monty Python's Meaning of Life," (however it's spelled!): ARTHUR: "Who are you?" KNIGHT: "We are the Knights who saaay... when the grim reaper tells him that he is dead, he scoffs, "Well, that's cast rather a gloom over the evening, hasn't it?" James Burroughs The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Writers: James Burroughs and Jennifer Wing. Assistant Editors: Jessica Yates, arts and features; Kim Avetta, Karen Dennis and Wendy Johnson, design; Charles Brittain, editorial page; Staci Cox, managing; B Buckberry and Steve Wilson, news; Lisa Reichle and Richard Smith, Omnibus; Evan Eile, photography, Andrew Podolsky, Jay Reed and Jamie Rosenberg, sports; Kari Barlow, state and national; Will Spears and Amy Wajda, university; Writers: Steve Adams, Craig Allen, Cathy Apgar, Marcie Bailey, Tim Bennett, Crystal Bernstein, Jennifer Blackwell, Lynette Blair, Wendy Bounds, Stephen Bryan, Sarah Cagle, Julie Campbell, Terri Canaday, Heather Clapp, Judy Dore, Wagner Dotto. Mark Folk, Julie Gammill, Kevin Greene, Chris Helms, Joey Hill, Katherine Houston, Stephanie Johnston, Gabriele Jones, Stacey Kaplan, Jason Kelly, Lloyd Lagos, Tracy Lawson, David Lloyd, Rheta Logan, Sheila Long, Alan Martin, Kimberly Maxwell, Beth Meckley, Jeff Moyer, Helle Nielsen, Glenn O'Neal, Simone Pam, Jannette Pippin, Myron Pitts, Becky Riddick, Vanessa Shelton. Katherine Snow, Kyle York Spencer, Mike Sutton, Bill Taggart, Cameron Tew, Christine Thomas, Tim Truzy, Emilie Van Poucke, Sandy Wall, Chuck Williams, Nancy Wykle. Sports: Neil Amato, Mark Anderson, Jason Bates, John Bland, Laurie Dhue, Christina Frohock, Scott Gold, Warren Hynes, Doug Hoogervorst, David Kupstas, Bethany Litton, Bobby McCroskey, Brock Page, Natalie Sekicky, Eric Wagnon and Steve Walston. Arts and Features: Cheryl Allen, Lisa Antonucci, Noah Bartolucci, Clark Benbow, Shields Brewer, Gretchen Davis, Diana Florence, Cricket French, Wendy Grady, Vicki Hyman, Mara Lee, Tim Little, Matthew McCafferty, Carrie McLaren, Elizabeth Murray, D'Ann Pletcher, Leigh Pressley, Eric Rosen, Hasie Sirisena, Heather Smith, Brian Springer, Bevin Weeks and Laura Williams. Photography: Steven Exum, Regina Holder, Tracey Langhome and Kathy Michel. Copy Editors: James Benton, Susan Comfort, Rebecca Duckett, Joy Golden, Stephanie Harper. Angela Hill, Susan Holdsclaw, Anne Isenhower, Debrah Norman, George Quintero, JoAnn Rodak, Kristin Scheve, Joe Seagle, Kelley Shaw, Clare Weickert, Steffanie Woodfin and Cameron Young. Cartoonists: Adam Cohen, Pete Corson, Alex De Grand, David Estoye, Greg Humphreys and Mike Sutton. Business and Advertising: Kevin Schwartz, director; Bob Bates, advertising director; Leslie Humphrey, classified ad manager; Kirsten Burkart, assistant classified ad manager; Janet Gordon, Angela Spivey, classified assistants; Amanda Tilley, advertising manager; Sabrina Goodson, business manager; Allison Ashworth, assistant business manager; Lora Gay, Kristi Greeson, Beth Harding, Lavonne Leinster, Tracy Proctor, Kevin Reperowitz, Alicia Satterwhite, Pam Thompson and Jill Whitley, display advertising representatives; Kim Blass, creative director; Pam Strickland, marketing director; Sherrie Davis, Ingrid Jones, Shannon Kelly and Tammy Newton, sales assistants; Laura Richards, typist. Subscriptions: Ken Murphy, manager. Distribution: RDS Carriers. Production: Biil Leslie and Stacy Wynn, managers; Anita Bentky, assistant manager; Brian Campbell, Stephanie Locklear, John Nipp and Greg Miller, assistants. Printing: The Village Companies. 5Af escozT On CLEkU AR STANDARDS: m wSoh heck, .x DOtvr The Gobuh Corps oh rbdvcin 6 the oefic it mmo GMENPOLYN ! CUT SOCIAL The Carolm Cowc booK CluB oh SDl: t's time to find better -role models Today I was asked whether I was an athlete of some sort for the fifteenth time during my time here at Carolina. I wasn't asked because I have the body of an Adonis or have reached the esteemed height of 5 feet 12 inches; I'm just supposed to be athletic. It's in my genes (see Origin of Species by Jimmy the Greek). There are several other things that I'm supposed to be and there are several other things that I'm supposed to do. I'm supposed to dance to and know every rap song that comes on the radio. If I'm deficient in reciting the "poetry of the urban masses," I receive that "you're not really black" look (a look that is rather ironic coming from a white person). I'm supposed to only drink malt liquor. Malt liquor is my drink. My mother started me on Colt 45 when I turned 13; it's a ritual. I'm expected to converse in black collo quial English with my white friends. A typical conversation goes like this; "I bet you be say in' yo whatsup my brother," he says. "Yeah you be illin'," she says as she stretches out her hand to demonstrate that obsolete "give me some skin" gesture. I say, "Hi guys! Did you study the poli sci?" They give me that Cleaveresque "Aw you're not playin' right" look you give someone when they refuse to die in a game of Cops and Robbers. No, this isn't an "it's not easy" being an African-American column. This is a disserta tion on the reality of America today. Besides, it must be easy for African-Americans the government caters to their every wish. We run guilt trips on patronizing liberals and they fall into our money pit like lemmings. In job interviews we quote Dr. Martin Luther King and wax poetical about present-day injustices to increase our chances of filling that quota. Legislation has made our lives a bowl of cherries. But let's get something straight: Every Dana Lumsden Dream Variations position that I acquire in life is not the result of some secret minority quota. If I beat you, it's because I'm better. With affirmative action being eaten away by a paranoid, mediocre majority (National Association for the Ad vancement of People Who Have Managed to Rule the Earth) and by African-Americans, who attribute every success to their ability to "play the role," one has to be better than the rest. Now, one father is suing UNC because his daughter, who had a C average in high school and a score of "around 900" on the SAT, did not get admitted for this school year. The suit says that the admissions policy is biased in favor of black, male athletes. The man, his daughter and their attorney should be flogged in public by a bunch of retired postal workers for filing the suit. First of all, the woman should be enrolled in some type of pre-school to help distinguish herself from the many applicants just like her. And even if she had made it into UNC, she'd probably be among the mindless groupies who deify the very athletes she's crying about. Americans send blacks mixed messages; On one hand, they praise the athletes and entertainers among minorities and fail to publicize those who prosper in political and economic circles. They concentrate on all that is negative about African-Americans. The same people who whine about the free ride blacks are given continue to crank out volumi nous amounts of negative statistics about blacks. No one is more guilty of this hypocrisy than the "politically correct" (the latest euphe mism for liberals) who cry about South Af rica, live on North Campus and brag about attempts to feed every open mouth in some obscure foreign country. These same people fawn over the spiritual leader of all black people on campus: Billy at Time Out. For example, candidates for the 1 989 senior class president and vice president posed with Billy for their campaign posters. Billy is probably a decent, hardworking man who is just trying to earn a living. When I called the manager to find out a little more about Billy, the day manager said simply, "Well, he works the third shift and has been here lessee about nine years I believe." Here's a man who is a bonafide Chapel Hill celebrity who still works the third shift like. a regular guy! Imagine all the business that Billy draws from students who after a long night of partying and cavorting, just want to "go holler at Billy." I figured that I'd call back and see what Billy's position at Time Out was after nine years of distinguished service in selling chicken to inebriated citizens. "He's a cashier third shift," said the day manager. I don't want to appear hyper-sensitive by saying that students who want a black man from some chicken joint to pose with them for pictures are setting back the race, but that's precisely what's happening. People don't care about Billy's well-being. The politically correct don't care about the message they're sending through their publicity of Billy. America should work on some more positive role models, and this campus should work on some more positive role models. It's time to give celebrity status to the mother-of-three, dorm housekeeper, who is working hard to get through night school on a salary that just keeps her above the poverty level. Maybe this year a candidate for senior class president will pose with her: "Friends Who Deserve Respect!" Dana Clinton Lumsden is a journalism and political science major from Boston, Mass. Readers9 Forum Letter's vicious tone obscured its point To the editor: On Oct. 4 the DTH printed a letter by Alecia Cole ("Insults to southern state are getting old") that complains about Matt Biven's Sept. 28 column. She states: "I am sick and tired of jerks who, for some unknown reason, are al lowed to take up space in the DTH ridiculing and insulting my home state." Ms. Cole, I wholeheart edly agree. Bivens' column was irresponsible and out of line. I liked your letter so much that I have to quote more of it. You speak of manners: "...obviously not taught up there in Olney (?), Md." Yes ma'am, this Maryland resident certainly agrees that such people "obviously lack the brain power or the journalistic creativ ity to come up with anything of socially redeeming value" to put in their articles (or perhaps, dare I add, letters). I regret, however, that Ms. Cole's letter lost so much credi bility through its vicious tone: What might have been a respon sible and credible complaint be came little more than a personal, vindictive retaliation against Bivens and Marylanders who don't claim responsibility for him. RACHEL E. HULL Sophomore Englishmusic Congress and others need to lighten up To the editor: I would like to congratulate the Student Congress for their crea tive way of finding things to keep themselves busy. Now that they've solved the abortion problem, maybe they could take on some of the other perplexing conditions of the human situation. A non-binding resolution on Third World debt, perhaps? Cleaning up national dilemmas feels so much better than slogging through all those pesky little local problems such as declining library budgets, an underpaid faculty, a slave-wage scale for TAs and an administration so strapped for state money that it agrees to whatever whim pleases our richer alumni. Considering the alternatives, I'd probably propose something on abortion, too. On another weighty subject, as a North Carolinian, I wish to express my deep resentment at being lumped into the same cate gory with South Carolinians by C. Glenn Wallace ("Columnist's words were way off base," Oct. 4). There is a great difference between the two groups, most notably the fact that North Caro linians have a sense of humor. I do not know to which body part South Carolina most accu rately relates, but I do know the only way I would travel to South Carolina for a vacation would be if someone tied me up and mailed me there. But that's probably only because of my tragically small mind. DANIEL CONOVER Senior Journalism Editorial stance not grounds for recall To the editor: It sickens me to see the cheap political posturing that Mr. Jef frey Beall is indulging in. His campaign against the DTH editor is pure personal vendetta. He wants her out of office because the DTH board opinion did not support his bill for a revote on the SRC. The editors of the DTH do not have to support every cocka- mamy bill that comes before Stu dent Congress. It may come as news to Mr. Beall that the DTH is run differently than Pravda, where the editorial line closely follows the official party line. Even more dangerous are the veiled accusations of racism and sexism against the DTH. Racism is a serious and potentially in flammatory issue, and it is a shame that Mr. Beall has used it to settle personal scores. It is quite clear what Mr. Beall is doing. He is pandering to various groups on campus that he feels may have a gripe against the DTH. I do hope that these groups have the good sense not to be taken in by a third rate politician. G. RAMACHANDRAN Graduate Student Environmental Engineering Beall's actions don't serve constituents To the editor: Re-vote? Jeffrey Beall is trying to make that a campus catch word much to the dismay of many students campus-wide. After having been defeated in a move to bring about a re-vote on the SRC issue, Beall seemed to have left Lisa Frye, the CAA and DTH readers some peace. Well, we thought it ended with the CAA it didn't. Now Beall has resurfaced with the same basic idea, only with a different organization and indi vidual as the object of his obses sion. Beall is leading the move ment to recall the election of DTH editor, Sharon Kebschull. Kebschull, just as Frye, has shown Beall's beliefs and judgments of both the CAA and DTH to be lacking in factual content. Report ers haven't been forbidden to inter view certain students and yes, students were told there would be no bathrooms in the SRC. Whether they chose to listen is another issue. To respond to his claim that the DTH stirs "controversy to raise circulation and advertising reve nues," the DTH is a NEWSpaper. Newspapers contain controversy. Neither of Beall's two attacks seems to be directly benefiting the District 7 constituents. In fact they appear to be attempts to "stir con troversy" to increase awareness of Jeffrey Beall. In this light, it is inter esting that Beall accuses the DTH of stirring controversy. Just who exactly is Beall repre senting? This question is aimed at District 7 constituents in the hope that they will ask themselves. Then maybe we can give Jeffrey Beall the re-vote he is searching for so intensely. '. Perhaps it is time to start a peti tion to recall the election of Dist. 7 representative Jeffrey Beall. '. Something to think about. ". LISASALA Junior JournalismEnglish Letters policy : : The Daily Tar Heel welcomes reader comments and criticisms. When writing letters to the editor, please follow these guidelines: All letters must be dated and signed by the author(s), with a limit of two signatures per letter. ' All letters must be typed and double-spaced, for ease of editing. Most letters run from one to two pages, but longer letters may be run as guest columns. Letters should include the author's year, major, phone num ber and home town. The DTH will make every effort to contact writers to verify their letters, so please be sure that both d daytime and evening phone num ber are listed. ..... ... ... ........ 4 ' . - ; . .. .;. . . 1 .