Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / April 15, 2004, edition 1 / Page 6
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Page 6 • Thursday, April 15, 2004 OPINION The Pendulum This weekly column will feature confessions of a Southern religious studies major. Each week, Jonathan will offer a light-hearted look at the little things in life that can make a big difference. IT'S THETHINGS... Howdy Y'all "With all the faults of the South, I love her still." -Emily Pillsbury Burke, Southern abolitionist New intramural field location better for all Jonathan Chapman Columnist I am Southern. I love fried chicken and chug sweet tea. I listen to country music and am intrigued by Southern authors such as Flannery O’Connor and William Faulkner. Since arriving at col lege, I have been made aware of my excessive use of “y’all” and “ain’t,” not to mention my relentless referring to any caitwnated beverage as a “Coke.” One thing that all Elon students are aware of is where they are from. The differences between those of us from the South and those from the North are constantly being observed, commented upon and debated. One of the biggest differ ences is the way people from the two regions talk. These are my observations, as a Southern man, in hopes of helping those from north of Dixie to under stand us a little better. People from the North, as a whole, speak at least twice as fast as anyone from the South. IXiring fall break, my first trip home since com ing to Elon, no one at home could understand me. And who deserves credit for my speedy speech? I suppose it’s unfair to the tack all the blame on my Northern friends, but they hold at least partial responsibility. It’s not that talking fast is, a bad thing, it’s just that sometimes Yankees talk faster than my ears want to listen. This is where many people from outside the region find trouble. They equivocate talking slow with being stupid. While in some cases this may be true, many times, the slower they talk, the smarter they are. Southerners also have a tenden cy to make one-syllable words into two. Take, for example, the com mon Southern name "Jim." Anybody in the rest of the United States would say it like it looks — Jim. But in the South, there is an extra syllable. How can this be, you might ask — it only has three let ters. Leave it to the Southern red necks, roughnecks and gentlemen. One of my favorite examples of such syllabolic-extension is offered by your favorite and mine — the television evangelist. He gets on that stage, begging for money and shouting at the top of his lungs about “He-yell fire and damnation.” I know what hell is, but I’m not exactly positive what "he-yell" is. In any case, he says it, and for some reason, it sounds right. That’s because Southem conver sation is a craft. Southerners (espe cially Southem women) can make even the worst of situations seem as refreshing as sweet tea in the middle of the summer. As long as you can say, “Bless your heart” with sincerity, you can pretty much say anything you want and it’ll be OK. You also have to be a good liar. Now, my mother would aigue that Southem women “don’t lie, we just have manners.” In any case. Southerners have a tendency to smooth things over — they aren’t particularly fond of con flict, so they avoid it. So be careful when relating to Southerners. You might think you know what they are thinking, but chances are you are totally off base. Good luck! Contact Jonathan Chapman at pen- dulum@elon.edu or 278-7247. Bryan McMinn Columnist The planned construction of a new business school at the site of the current intramural fields has left some students wonder ing what will happen to intramurals. If you build it, will they come? Construction of the business school is likely to begin no later than March 2005 on the large lot of land between the Greek houses and Danieley Center. Much controversy has been brewing among stu dents as to what will hap pen to intramurals in the future and if this location really is the best spot for the building. The intramural fields as they are now are a prime, central location on campus and an easy walk for any student who is directed toward that area. The future site for the intramural fields is planned to be across the train tracks by the Elon Homes for Children area The anticipated site of the intramural fields leaves Elon’s lazier students dissatisfied by the Adam Smith Columnist On Wednesday, Spectrum and Elon Volunteers! will be participating in the National Day of Silence. Students and staff members will wear T-shirts with the wad “silenced” on tlie front Faculty members will also wear pins showing their support. The Day of Silence allows people across the country to ^leak out against the ignorance and hatred faced by gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgen- der people in our society. Tliese people have been silenced throughout their lives. Many youths feel they can’t speak out and be them selves. They are ashamed of being gay, bisexual or transgender. The Day 0[ Silenoe is a way to break their sUenoe. Vblunlem for this project arc not commute that will have to be made in the future. Although the commute comes as a small inconvenience to some stu dents, in the future it will be forgot ten because transportation will most likely be provided to students arriv ing by way of Danieley Center. Other students, however, will not need transportation to the future intramural fields because they will be located even closer to most student dormitories than they are now. All in all, the location of the future business school will prove to be most benefi cial for students. Since business adminis tration is a popular major among Elon students, the central location of the building is best As for the future intramural fields, there are expected complaints regarding the commute, but as soon as Elon students adjust to the new system these will reside. Thus, answering the age-old question once more. If you build it, they will come. Contact Bryan McMinn at pendu- lum@elon.edu or 278-7247. all homosexuals. Most know people who have been silenced and are work ing to prevent the silencing of otfiers. \blunteers will be silent throughout the day, qjeaking for those who remain unhearl The organizers and volunteers of this event feel the Natwnal Day of Silence project is important for Hon. Those who are afrakl can know they don’t have to be. We want to protest ignorance in our government and those discriminating against us. W; do not want special ri^its, only equal rights. Our misskm is to end the silence on the can^xis of Ekm Univeisity. What will you do to end the siknoe? Contact Adam Smith at pendu- lum@don.edu or 278-7247. ip. KnoM) ip. wrCtey? V y N& HOW TO-mmf? We want you! Pick up an application outside of Moseley 233. The Pendulum will soon be hiring for paid staff positions for next fall. If you are interested, please pick up an application and return it to our office and we'll call you for an interview. THE PENDULUM EXECUTIVE STAFF Perceptive. Professional. Paid. Jonathan Chapman Bryan McMinn Students should use Day of Silence to support others
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