This page has errors The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page.
0 / 75
riday, April 24, 1970 THE SALEMITE Page Three From Russia With Love By Catherine Cooper The year 1970 has been designated by the United Vations as “a year of peace through education.” In accordance with the official policy, many countries that ordinarily are closed to foreigners are opened to illovv free interchange of educational ideas. Dr. Eliza- )cth Welch from Salem had the honor to participate ,1 a month-long education seminar, involving visits to Switzerland, Russia, Turkey, Lebanon, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Japan. The group was organized by Dr. Gerald Read of Kent State University in Ohio, who has been working with these seminars for fourteen years. Dr. Read chose the participants in the program from colleges and universities all over the United States. Included were presidents, deans, counselors, librarians, board members—representatives from all aspects of the American education program, so that the group would be able to make as evell as receive contributions. Dr. Welch informed me that the concentration of Welch Reports the seminar lay in two areas. First, the group tried to find out what kind of education each of the coun tries had, and then to see what changes needed to be made to improve the people and solve their problems. In regard to these two ciuestions. Dr. Welch reported that there seemed to be a general trend among the youtli in many of the countries visited. She was very much impressed by the disillusionment of young peo ple with their education because it is not helping them solve their problems. Since the government has long regarded education only for the elite, in places such as Lebanon only about 40% of the people have a chance to go to school. Not only this, but it is felt that what is taught is not essential or relevant to the lives of those who are able to go to school. What results from this ignorance is literal stagnation of the country. The people of Lebanan already have to drink bottled water and the air pollution problem is becoming steadily worse, while 60% of the population lives in poverty. Consequently, most of the disillusionment and frustra tion is taken out on the government. For instance, in Turkey, the visiting educators were a target of violence by university students, not because they were from the LInited States, but because they were deal ing with the government. The rioters hoped that through violence to the American group, they could gain enough publicity to defeat the government in an upcoming election. Dr. Welch attributed these up heavals all over Europe to that fact that the young people feel they have been “betrayed” and want an education that has meaning for them right now. In Russia Dr. Welch observed that the students seemed to have no curiosity and wanted no trouble of any kind. Asked why Russian youth were immune to the revolutionary spirit. Dr. Welch talked about how Russian life (and especially education) is based on rewards. Since everything that the Russian student has been taught is what is guaranteeing him the necessities and enjoyments of life, he feels no dis satisfaction with the way things are. Dr. Welch com mented on the high quality of Russian education she observed in the area of languages. She will certainly never forget when a kindergarten class greeted her with two songs in perfect English. Another point that I found interesting was the fact that as of last year, it is required that all boys and girls from the sixth grade on up undergo military training in Russia under an army officer. This train ing includes endurance tests, weapons, knowledge, and drills with live ammunition. It sounds amazing, but no child may receive any credit for an academic course unless his military requirement has been passed. I finally asked Dr. Welch what conclusions she could draw about our own education system from her studies. “One has to state one’s objectives,” she be gan. She strongly felt that the United States needs to analyze its goals. Instead of indoctrination of one set answ'er, students should be given encouragement to dispute. They should be taught to evaluate sources and reach their own decisions. We should not lose sight of the purpose of education in a free society. The idea is expressed beautifully by a Swiss educator when he described to Dr. Welch the purpose of edu cation—“To teach our children in such a way that they embrace the whole world.” Last week, the Society of Curly-Tailed Friends held an annual convention in Stronghold Dorm. After much dis cussion, Patti Pig was almost unanimously elected to the post of Prize Pig. From her home at the Animal Farm, Miss Pig has released the following statement: "Last week-end, during the convention, I was granted the privilege of having hogs in my sty. Believe me, I en joyed every one of the sixty minutes I was given! "My first act as Prize Pig will be to have the above right granted more often. Think of the revolution I will create in pork morals—more honest, free pigs and fewer priggy pigs! We'll all have the chance to communicate in a re laxed, casual atmosphere. "Pigs of the world, rise from the mire! Snort your sup port!" Salem’s Artistic Inspirations Shown In Its First April Arts Observance By Tricia Allen Well, Salem’s first April Arts Festival has come to pass and pos sibly has become a new part of the old Salem traditions. Was it suc cessful in bringing the arts to Salem, was it used w'ell, and was it necessary ? These are questions asked by people before and after the Festival. They can best be answered by looking briefly at the events of the three days. The most effective and significant art project in the Festival was pre sented Wednesday night when four Wake Forest students presented their Sensory Collage. Folk songs accompanied a changing series of three slides projected simultane ously on the screen. The idea was to allow each person to interpret the collage individually. This pre sentation was most thought provok ing because it was an “experience,” which is what art should be. Some students said this produced an awareness of different views of their world; others called it simply “unique.” Thursday night the April Arts festival presented something every one enjoys, a talent show. And what a talent show! Of course, Salem called on its own Hollywood star. Dee Dee Geraty to act as emcee and entertainer between sets, and as usual, she did an excellent job. A treat for the old and parti cularly the new Salem students was an on-stage reunion of Dee Dee and Linda Camp. There were several other folk singers, each impressing the audience with her talent and style. The talent was not limited to the guitar; it was discovered that Salem houses comediennes, comedians, dancers—complete with electronic music, and even tub thumpers and jug blowers. The talent was well worth presenting and provided a genuinely enjoyable night for everyone attending. Friday’s panel discussion was on “The Role of the Artist in Society,” and contained an interesting group of people including members of the fields of journalism, dancing, writ ing, and painting. There were several topics presented to the group to discuss, one being the re lationship between the critic and the artist. On stage was Mr. Jim Shertzer from the Winston-Salem Journal, whose point was that a critic must write to inform the reader, not to please or discredit the artist. Another idea discussed was that the critic and the per former should be friends so that each could “heighten his percep tion” of the other; another idea mentioned was that their relation ship should be distant in order for the critic to remain impartial. Mr. Gyula Pandi, a dance instructor at NCSA, brought in the very impor tant fact that, in his case, a dancer does not place any great value on a critic. Mr. Pandi stressed that it was he, the performer, who must have peace within and knowledge that he had done well, and not let this peace be affected by the critic’s analysis. This thought of satisfying only oneself later brought the discussion down to what an artist is and what is his function. Mr. Fred Chappell, a novelist and poet teaching at UNC-G, put forward a colorful and truthful definition. He said that an artist is one who does not give “junk,” as he calls the present news and television media, but that an artist is trying to give something real. The panel did bring up other new MORRIS SERVICE Next To Carolina Theater Sandwiches — Salads Sedas “The Place Where Salemites A4eet“ Qu-f -Hus g orin - views, and for this reason the audi ence was pleased with the discus sion ; however, one cannot help but wonder if there is a better medium to truth than a panel. The topic dealing with the artist’s role in so ciety worked its way down to the old identity question: what is an artist ? The panel dealt with the social artist, ironically one who is separated from society. It suc ceeded in showing that this is a gap which can be closed only by under standing and experience. Perhaps the real point should have been to show that an artist is not limited to certain fields, but that he is anyone who creates. As a whole, the arts festival was effective in getting across some sense of the creative abilities of the individuals, students and adults, around us, and of our world. The April Arts Committee worked well to bring a challenge to us. The Festival presented not only the artistic capabilities of Salem stu dents and other closely associated persons, but also an awareness of the individuality and creativity of the modern person. Bookworms To Meet This is your opportunity to hear a recently published author. Mr. John Thom Spach, local writer and author of Time Out From Texas, will be the guest speaker for the annual meeting of the Friends of Salem College Li brary. The meeting will be held Monday, April 27, at 8 p.m. in the reading room of the library. The Friends of Salem College Library is a group of Alumnae and other interested people who have made valuable contributions to the library. The group was first or ganized in 1935, and since that time has helped the library in many ways. Each year the Friends spon sor a writer, usually, local, and in vite all Salem College students. Monday night at 8 p.m. is the time; the reading room of the lib rary is the place. Make plans to attend what promises to be an in teresting talk by Mr. Spach and the reception which follows. An undergraduate Art Exhibit will be held in the Fine Arts Center from April 21 to May 1. SHAKEY’S 975 PETERS CREEK PARKWAY WE SERVE FUN (ALSO PIZZA) STEVE'S ITALIA RISTOBANTE Italian Food Spaghetti—Pizza, etc. Also Complete American Menu Open Daily 1 1 :00 A.M.-10:00 P.M. CLOSED SUNDAYS 112 OAKWOOD DRIVE
