Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Oct. 7, 1999, edition 1 / Page 2
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2 October 7, 1999 Opinioris yiewj)omt Here are some names. Say the first thing that comes to your mind: Divine Brown, Michael Jackson, “Dirk Diggier,” Chuck Buckley, Yes folks, it seems we, the media, are attempting to run the gamut on smut-that’s right, sex. Oddity, beefcake, freakshow, or just good ol’ pervert, we as a culture just can’t get enough of the stuff* Last week, The Pendulum attempted to run (as it does weekly) an unbiased section on atopic of our choosing - the Focus section. Although around since biblical times, homosexuality continues to be an issue ujson which our culture just can't seem to pass afmal equivocal and across-the- board opinion. We received many letters in response which are not critical of the homosexual individuals who discussed their experiences at Elon, nor are they critical of the article on Spectrum. Rather, it was the conservative commentary from “Anonymous” that provoked readers to write in. The opinions expressed in the article ^*It*s not a cause, it’s a private matter” by Anonymous may or may not be shared by individuals of Uie editorial staff, however we unanimously defend this individual’s right to leave his/her name off the byline. In past issues, the Focus section included anonymous articles from a person dealing marijuana and a closeted homosexual. Peitia^s these ‘Anonymous” submissions seem more justifiable than that of a person who did not want to face repercussions from an unpopular opinion. Perhaps not-.. Why is It you know John Wayne Bobbitt’s name? I doubt that you’re following his supposedly stellar adult movie career. Ferh^s it’s tiiat our culture brands such sexual oddities with names and even laws. Granted the system may fail in the rehabilitation of some sex offenders but now laws track them down and let everyone know what they did one |ni^t with a monkey. Forget the fact he’s done his time. For those of you who have a problem with the anonymity of th& author, we simply ask, “Why?” This Individual decided not to wear a Scarlet Letter for the rest of his college career, If Michael Wright^ who wrote about coming out, left his name off his byline, would the same number of letters pour in? Just because an opinion is unpopular, doesn*t mean it doesn’t deserve voice. At least “Anonymous” had the courage to write. ♦ The Pendulum Editorial Staff Vanity... yeah, I got that Informing the Elon College Community Editor in Chief Carrie Lancos Senior Editor Chuck Buckley News Editor Alan Medeiros Opinions Editor Chris Rash Focus Editor Tammy Tripp A & E Editor Lisa McChristian Sports Eklitor Travis Suber Photo Editor Emily MacDonnell Business Manager Jenna Denton Office Manager Carolyn Lampila Online Director Jeff Sanders Online Editor Bill Monken Adviser Byung Lee Reporters Reid Albright Patrick Collins Samiha Khanna Johannah Lawrence Bill Monken Annie Reilly Jessica Rivelli Bryan Skeen Mike Trainor Jason Tally Jessica Vitak Photographers Greg Boger Jessica Snow Meredith Vesely Columnists Brie Bittenbender Rich Blomquist Cameron DeJong Ethan Pell Advertising Becky Robinson Copy Editors Elizabeth Butler Christine Zon The purpose of The Pendulum shall be to inform and entertain the Elon College community. The Pendulum shall be a forum where all members of the college community are able to express their ideas and opinions. Address all correspondence to: The Pendulum 7012 Campus Box Elon College, N.C. 27244. Phone: (336) 584-2331 Fax: (336) 584-2467 E-mail: pendulum @ elon.edu Web page: http ://www.elon.edu/ pendulum Self-confidence is a good thing. However, to much of it is even better. I wouldn’tbe the, what ever I am, today if it weren’t for my own beautiful little ego. Some say I am conceited, some say I am just an ass. Whatever the truth may be, it will suffice to say that I have found my own little niche in Elon’s social society. Freshman year I found it nec essary to go out every weekend and try to fit in with all the big boys around campus in an effort to make friends. This worked quite well at first. Try it if you like. Soon you will see, as I did, that it’s not really worth it. About two or three months down the road you will look back at all the people you met and ask yourself what good memories, if any, you have of your time with them. You can’t remem ber any because you were too drunk to remember any, weren’t you? Then sophomore year I chanced upon a revelation. An in tense moment of inner-peace, much akin to the Hindu Moksha, in which the Yogi achieves his goal of self- realization. I looked inward upon myself and found I liked what I saw. What’s more I looked around and saw that those around me liked it too. No one has ever accused me of having low self-esteem but sud denly I realized I was what every person wants to be. Content in and of myself. Alas, I am not perfect. I make mistakes, as to which several people on this campus can and probably will attest. But what makes me so great is that I’m not concerned with my shortcomings. I know I have them and I work on them in private Chris Rash The Pendulum rashc8r0@elon.edu sessions with a counselor. Don’t ask, my problems are none of your business. I guess what this column is really saying is that, no matter what your shortcomings, you to can be like me. Truly happy. The key to true contentment is being comfortable with yourself, A necessary component of comfort with one’s self is confidence, thus I have included a few tips from Rash’s guide to immediate egotism. The first “step” in achieving self-confidence, which in turn leads to happiness, is knowing how to carry yourself. Adopt a style that is all your own and flaunt it. Those close to me say that I have adopted a strut in addition to the awkwardly cocked hat. Neither are fashion statements, but rather they are symbols of me. Each per son needs to change a little some thing about themselves that makes them more noticeable. Elon College is a cookie-cut- ter campus and those of us that break the mold have the best col- |lege experiences. Develop an I image that is purely your own and main tain it better than anyone else could. Eventually your I reputation will pre- fcedeyou. This may sound bad, but in actuality it helps you socially. People hear the rumors some are true but most are so blatantly false that people will be intrigued by them and become interested in the real you. My advice to you is to go out, “strut your stuff’ and have the best time possible doing it. You only live once. Might as well let every one know your doing it right. “Just because someone ex udes confidence, does not necessar ily make them a bad person.” — Sarah Michelle Cellar Cruel Intentions Making the music of praise Andy Villwock (1.) and Nikki Davis of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship practice songs together in Moseley Center Sunday night. Villwock and Davis are part of rV’s Worship Team, which leads the music for the Large Group services. photo by Carrie Lancos
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