The Lance April/May 2011 Page 9
CAMPUS £XP£RI£N^C£S Think Globally, Act Locally”
Worldview
(Continued from Page 4)
exist. So, where do we fit into this
process really? And what might we
expect fi'om it in the fixture?
Well, according to Politics Professor
Howard Reichner, we are part of the
global scheme of things, without even
trying to be,
“If students drive cars which use gas,
eat a variety of foods and use a number
of the emerging technological devices,
then those folks are subject to the influ
ences of an ever increasing global
world,” Reichner said. “I also believe
many of these students’ jobs to be wiU
be related to the world outside of the
US, thus they need to be aware of and
active in international relations.”
Fellow Politics Professor Larry Schulz
agrees. “Just look at where your clothing
is made, where the gasoline comes from
that fills your gas tank, and why China
is financing our latest spending spree.”
So, what can we do about it? Well, all
logic seems to point to education. We
are lucky at St. Andrews to be equipping
our minds to win this battle for us
through learning and experience.
Reichner has plenty of experience
outside his own backyard, having spent
much time in Vietnam back in the 60s
- during the Vietnam War. And he can
tell you, there are some striking similar
ities,
“The US involvement in Vietnam
like Iraq was a building process with
advisors going in first and the being fol
lowed by combat troops with numbers
increasing until the public resentment
began to be felt,” he said. “The current
North African and Middle East situa
tions are being undertaken without
troops on the ground but the American
public is tired of US involvement and
the situation has turned very political.”
Reichner has taken students on trips
to Vietnam in order that they can see
the interconnectivity of cultures
throughout the world, a cause that
Schultz holds dear to his heart.
“The bi^est mistake being made by
the U.S. in the current situation is not
understanding our place in an interde
pendent world with citizens of all races,
creeds and livelihoods that deserve our
respect and support, especially when
they seek to democratize their societies
and enhance their own civil liberties and
economic opportiuiities,” Schulz said.
“I encourage students to become
informed about world affairs, and then
act on this knowledge by becoming
involved so as to make a difference for
the better. That involvement may be
local or more distant; it really doesn’t
matter since we are interconnected and
so are the issues and challenges.”
While traveling the world allows for a
first hand viewing of the cultures, expo
sure can come in other forms for those
who can’t travel for health, economic or
family reasons.
“If they haven’t seen the movie
Idiocracy., they should,” Reichner shared
as one example of exposure.
It becomes clear through discussing
these world issues that many of the
problems being feced today were caused
by miscommunication and misunder
standings. As these professors point out,
eliminating such misunderstandings
doesn’t have to be a big undertaking.
Reading the news to gain a greater per
spective, watching a movie to gain
insights and taking an interest are all
suggestions for starting the conversation
and action.
The message to take away is that, yes,
we should care very much about what’s
going on in the world right now,
because it could come into our own
backyard tomorrow. So, keep an eye out
on the news, and try to help a neighbor
in need because you never know when
that neighbor could be you.
Recap:
Recap is here to fill in the gaps. Here’s
a hit of you may have missed since the
last issue of The Lance:
• Saturday, March 12: SAU Mardi
Gras party a success— It lasted from
10 PM to 1 AM, and was hosted in
the belt main room, complete with
dancing, music from DJ Shane, col
orful lights, and plenty of that Mardi
Gras bling!
• Tuesday, March 22: Cookout for
Japan relief effort ~ Knight's Dining
hosted an Alive After Five Cook
Out. The campus enjoyed a deli
cious menu of grilled foods and
other treats, outside by the lake.
And, the American Red Cross was
on hand to talk about the work
going on in Japan and also took up
donations to help with their efforts.
The dinner was also open to the
community, for a small fee. Thanks
to everyone who came in support.
• Thursday, March 24: Yearbook
interest meeting - get your cameras
ready, and start making memories,
because Jenn Bruner hosted an inter
est meeting. And now, a team of stu
dents are already on board planning
for next year’s yearbook! Don’t miss
out on the fiin!
• Tuesday, April 5: Religion and
Science Roundtable —, Associate
Professor of Psychology Pam Case
presented "Neurotheology: Brains,
Boundaries and Beliefr” as part of
the Religion and Science
Roundtable. The event was well
attended and well-received.
• Saturilay, April 9: 7th Annual
FUNd Run-4-Life~ runners, walk
ers, and kids of all ages participated
in the event, sponsored by Scotland
Memorial Foundation. And, St.
Andrews students had the opportu
nity to participate for discounted
rate of $10.