Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / April 3, 2009, edition 1 / Page 9
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FORUM APRIL 3. 2009 Elon poD's optimism about social progress requires another look By Peter Kostin Staff Writer "It's not easy when your career is with the church and you are a homosexual," said a former resident of the mountains of North Carolina and Guilford student who pro tected his family by not revealing his name. "It's not easy for my mom to have to live a secret life." His family split and was forced to leave North Carolina when rumors about her sex ual preference became community knowl edge. However, on March 15, a poll released by Elon University, comprised of 620 voters, showed surprisingly liberal opinions about same-sex marriage in North Carolina. Slightly over half said that they would oppose a constitutional amendment to re strict it. "I didn't think we'd get over 50 percent," said the poll's director Hunter Bacot. "In North Carolina, we are a southern state and generally more conservative, particularly on these types of issues." The North Carolina News and Observer, a larger newspaper whose scope spans five counties, made headlines out of the intrigu ing Elon results. After all. North Carolina did go blue in the '08 elections - the first time since 1976. Poll results could be yet an other indicator that the state is slowly ditch ing its conservative roots. But compare the optimistic Elon results to the story of the anonymous resident who was forced to leave the state because of his mother's sexuality. North Carolina's supposed social progress situation seems a little more bleak. The majority of Guilford students I asked agreed with giving legal recognition to same-sex couples. But most of us know that Guilford is not like the rest of the state- not even like the rest of Greensboro. Yet I started 15 student interviews with look at the Elon poll shows that in fact only 21 percent of those who opposed a gay mar riage ban supported giving full rights for same-sex couples. The national situation is not so bright ei ther. Same-sex couples can receive at, most about 400 rights and benefits out of the near 1,500 that heterosexual couples get any where in the country. This is even the case in Massachusetts and Connecticut, states that have passed the most liberal gay-rights "We may think that we are socially progressive at Guilford bjit we are still in a bubble." Marcus Edghill, sophomore questions about Warnersville, NC- the his torically black community located within Greensboro itself - a hotbed for civil rights history. Not one person knew it even ex isted. "We may think that we are socially pro gressive at Guilford but we are still in a bubble," said sophomore Marcus Edghill. "Guilford College is faking us into believ ing that society had changed. But we are still homophobic - we are still racist." In terms of rights for same-sex couples. North Carolina's constitution has specific language that limits marriage to between "one man and one woman." Also, a closer legislation in the country. The federal government passed a mea sure to withhold these rights from same-sex couples in 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act. No same-sex couple has ever had ac cess to these 1,100 marriage rights. And back at home in North Carolina there are two amendments awaiting legisla tion that would concretely restrict even the recognition for same-sex civil unions and domestic partnerships. A traditional view about homosexuality with strong ties to Christianity still has a major hold on state policy. , "A lot of folks go to the Bible (in North Carolina). I don't condone that behavior myself," said Public Safety officer Romeo Williams. "My belief about marriage is a religious and realistic one (in terms of pro creation). God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Adam." Christian perspectives find themselves close to our public policy as well. There are currently bills waiting legislation in North Carolina that would broadly limit the rights of same-sex couples. "This bill has great meaning to the faith community," said senator Jim Jacumin (R) according to the News and Record. "The amendment will ensure that marriage is that which God designed it to be." There are no bills which seek to broaden the rights of same-sex couples, despite the liberal consensus around Elon and Guilford College The Elon poll's accuracy has been called into question. Pollers were asked if they would vote to "prevent any same sex-mar riages," which has been construed as mis leading. "Phrasing it in a negative way probably elicited a stronger response in the nega tive," said Tami Fitzgerald, a North Caro lina attorney. And it is unlikely for any anti-gay rights bills to pass because North Carolina's Sen ate leader Mark Bassnight (D) has killed off similar bills in the past. In terms of gay civil rights legislation in North Carolina, the march is at a standstill. N.C. unemployment rate rises to record high By Deena Zaru Senior Writer These past few years have been the first in which I have actually made an active effort to remain informed about the economy because like most people, I have been personally affected. I began watching the news actively, reading articles, asking questions, and best of all, I interned at City A.M., a London-based financial, business and stock market news newspaper. I learned a lot and I still have a long way to go. But what did this accomplish? The economic downturn is still as severe as ever and while there mightbesome slightimprovements, many factors are getting worse. The North Carolina State Employment Security Commission (ESC) reported on March 27 that North Carolina's unemployment rate increased to 10.7 percent in February from 9.7 percent in January. In Feb. 2008 the unemployment rate was 5.2 percent. As a rising senior, who might not be able to afford graduate school yet, this is something to be concerned about. And judging by the rising unemployment all over the country, moving'To a different state is not a solution. According to CNN, North , C^olma Js dne ^ pf\: seven states with double-digit unemployment. Michigan is on top of the list with 12.1 percent, followed by South Carolina, Rhode Island and California — all with about 10 percent. In early March, the federal government reported that in February employers cut 651,000 jobs across the country, raising the unemployment rate to 8.1 percent, which is the highest it has been in 25 years. According to local Raleigh news channel WRAL, North Carolina's unemployment rate has been increasing for the past 13 months. The 10.7 percent breaks the previous to North Carolina's increasing unemployment rate in light of the worsening nationwide recession. "The sharp rise in unemployment combined with a significant decrease in state revenue has required me to take certain steps to responsibly manage the state's cash flow," said Perdue. According to WRAL reports. Perdue hopes that unemployment rates will decline through her $21 billion budget proposal to retrain workers. "We all are just hopeful the bleeding will stop soon," said Perdue. "This is hard news for North Carolina, hard news for I realized that while the economic cllmafels still dreary, I feel more empowered and I am not as scared. V- 10.2 state unemployment record of the 1983 recession. In order to help ease job losses, NC Governor Beverly Perdue decided that the time has come to use IMC's "rainy day" funds. According to ABC local news (Chanel 11), "Earlier this year. Governor Beverly Perdue said tapping North Carolina's rainy day fund would be a last option. It appears that time has come," , According . to Perdue, n using these funds is necessary ■ clue the country. We just all hope that sunshine begins soon." And until then, what can we do? After making an effort to get educated, I realized that while the economic climate is still dreary, I feel more empowered and I am not as scared, I- have been able to develop relevant and educated opinions about what needs to be' done, what politicians to support and the rnosf y^u'able of all — how and why is this all happening? President Ohama's stimulus A'" iV plan will give money to the state Employment Security Commission to help them meet record demand during the recession. According to WRAL, "N.C. paid out $212 million in unemployment benefits in February and has started borrowing money from the federal government to cover benefits payments." "We need help on many levels, simply because we're dealing with an unprecedented capacity issue," said David Clegg, who serves as Deputy Chairman of the Employment Security Commision.. Under the stimulus plan, $7 billion from the Federal ■Unemployment .Account will be given, to states to assist them in paying for unemployment- benefitsc;:”' „„ Clegg said that North Carolina expects to receive $205 million, along with $14.6 million from the. Unemployment Insurance Administration's State Grants Program and $10.9 million from the Employment Service and Re employment Activity progf ams that are tun by the U.S. Department of Labor. I have faith in Obama and his plan, but tirne will tell how effective it will be. I still might not find a job after I graduate, but 1 would at least like to know what needs to be done so that we can recover from this Great ^Recession. - WORK WITH Get credit and career experience working for the Guilfordian. Take photos, write stories, work on the website, design pages, and then put it on your resume! . Registration for fall . 2009 begins 12 a.m. Monday; Sign up for the journalism course dENGL 282) or the Guilfordian practicum . (ENGL285). V';■'■•iv-.'' ''v'" > email jje$ke@guilford.edu
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