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Page 2
Editorial
s
Letter unfair in portrayal
Of race relations at Salem
by Lisa Findlay
As one could see by reading last month’s editorial page, racism continues to
be a dominant issue on Salem's campus that needs to be addressed. Unfortu
nately, however, people are going about the fight to rid our school of racism the
wrong way. Rather than simply expressing anger, we need to offer solutions
and work hard on them. We can not just sit back, complain, and expect race
relations to improve.
First of all, last month’s letter to the editor upset me in that it sought to exfwse
different forms of racism going on at Salem and to make students examine their
beliefs more closely, yet it elicited a response of anger from many students as
it made racial statements itself. For example, the “you people” phrase is not
only used by white students regarding the African-American students. It is
u.scd by the African-American students regarding the white students as well.
For example, the author of last month’s letter said, “You run more of a risk
hanging out with those damn ‘Klu Klux Klan KA’s’ at Wake Forest Univer
sity.” Why couldn’tshehavesaid, “The white students run a risk...?” No, the
white students were the “you people” here. See, it goes both ways. This
statement also implies that all white students hang out with KA’s and made
assumptions about the fraternity that are not necessarily true today.
This leads to my main point. Rather than each race continuing to place the
blame for racism on the other, we need to come up with solutions. Anger causes
more anger and this will get us nowhere. I bet the points I made above made
some people angry. Now, for those of you who are angry, didn’t that make you
angrier in general at the whole racial issue? See, racism is an endless circle with
no solution if anger and assumptions continue to be thrown out in ignorance.
If we meet people assuming they are not prejudiced rather than prejudiced
everyone is given a chance to demonstrate their beliefs. All individuals an
different and can not be lumped into one group based on the others who are
unfortunately, extremely prejudiced.
In addition, rather than one race going over to meet the other to talk about ou
feelings, we need to meet half way. Neither the white students nor the African
American students owe it to the other to try harder. We need to try equally
Unfortunately, some racism is inherent in all of us — we are all bom int(
prejudices. We can not avoid this in our world today, but we can do our bes
to face it and seek a middle ground. I truly believe this is the first step.
The problem of racism will not be solved overnight, at Salem or anywhen
and we first need to understand that. Salem is a microcosm of society and wha
we need to do now is meet halfway — find a middle ground. Here, the “we’
refers to those of us who want to try hard — on peaceful terms. If we meet with
die desire to lash out at one another for things the other race has done, now oi
in die past, we will accomplish nothing. With open minds and the willingness
to try our best, we can take the first steps necessary to improve race relations
here at Salem and ultimately, in our society as a whole.
A time for action...
by Cary Clayton
Salem. Ironically, the word means peace. Inmy four years here, Salem has
been a place where voices can be raised and action taken. I think we have
reached a point where there are many voices clamoring for attention. For a
while, it may have seemed that some voices were ignored but they are no
longer. Now is the time to move from making noise to reaching solutions.
Feelings have been hurt, tension has risen, there are rips in the fabric of Salem.
Now is the time to start mending the holes. We need to move from voicing
complaints to seeking solutions.
Why not focus on the things that we share and how we benefit from this
community? We are all women, seeking a sound education, and opjxirtunities
to grow and learn about ourselves. This is the only time in our lives when we
will have this incredible opportunity. Where else can professors leave the room
when students are taking a tester give us tests to take back to ourrooms? Salem
gives us these opportunities because she trusts her students. With this trust
comes responsibility. “Honor” is more than refraining from cheating and
stealing, it includes how we interact with each other. To honor each other is to
respect others ideas, listen patiently to complaints, offer advice learn to
forgive, and then move on. If everyone concentrates only on what is best for
them, then we will go nowhere. “FOR IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE
RECEIVE.” If we do not give of ourselves to Salem than what can we expect
from her in return? We are the reason this institution exists and it is our
rcseponsibihty to support her foundations of honor and academic excellence
Every one of us chose Salem from among hundreds of other colleges We
were free to chose and we are free to leave. Salem is not for eveiyone and she
IS what you make of her. If students are not commited to the ideals she upholds
than she has little to offer. Salem welcomes her students to make changes but
her walls are not strong enough to withstand constant bombardments of
complaints when no action is taken to mend the holes. Now is the time to
forgive each other for things that happened in the past and work together
towards the common goal: Strengthening Salem so that all women will be
proud to call her home.
Then sing we of Salem ever, as proudly her name we bear
Long may our praise re-echo, far may our song ring clear.
Proper Response Requested
Of Students, Faculty
The Salemite was founded as the
“Uncensored voice of Salem College.”
The key words in that phrase are
“uncensored” and “voice.” In lay
man’s terms, that means that The
Salemite has not just the right but the
responsibility to represent to the best
of our ability as many points of view
as possible—to represent to the best
of our ability what Salem students
feel and think.
Many people were angered by the
letters to the editor printed in the last
two issues of the paper. Such a reac
tion is to be expected. The authors
were very direct in their views and
could, to some, be considered harsh.
What wasn’t expected and indeed
shouldn’t be happening is the nega
tive response recieved by The Sa
lemite itself. Since the printing of the
editorials, staff members have heard
several complaints and have been the
target of {personal criticism relating to
their content. Even worse, some of
this has come from faculty and ad
ministration.
The letters jjrinted were presented
as written by the author on the Letters
to the Editor column of the editorial
page, a place reserved for the uncen
sored ideas of students. They may not
have been fair, or truthful, or even
well presented, but they are the views
of students at Salem College.
The disclaimer at the bottom of
the Editorial page makes very clear
the fact that the staff of The Salemite
does not necessarily agree with or
support the author letters printed on
the page. It is our job, however, to
print all letters, whether we agree
with them or not.
We ask, then, that students, fac
ulty, and all others reading our ne,
paper reconsider who they wish
respond to and what the proper,
sponseis. As we welcomed the vie
of Amy Woodard and Yob
Harrston, The Salemite welcomesa
will print the views of anyone wl
wishes to respond in print on the t
editorial page. Please do not dire
your anger at opinions expressed
this column at theeditors-itmay„
be our opinion. Ourjobistoprintil
views of Salem as voiced by Salej
and we will continue to do so,
Anna Mansfield
Layout Editor
Cooperation Key to Racial Relations
I am still angry, but for many dif
ferent reasons. Obviously, some
people on Salem’s campus are still
mixed up on the receiving end of our
communication problem.
In my previous letter to the Editor
I pointed out that some students on
Salem’s campus are ruining our good
name by spouting out racial remarks
and sentiments. I’m sorry if some
innocent people felt as if I included
tliem in my chastization, but that re
ally was not the case.
When I asked for us Salem women
to check ourselves out and to really
tliink about things, I did not intend for
so many poeple to think and play
upon their fmstration only over the
incident from last year. Too many
stupid altercations have been the re
sult, and the “let’s be divided” ap
proach is not the solution. I do realize
that the door swings both ways, in all
aspects of our racial situations, but do
you collectively, as Salem students,
realize this too? I have two and half
more years here, and I am not going to
spend them putting up with this dishar-
monal b.s.
This letter is not an apology for my
presentation of the first article, my
language in it, or the feelings evoked
from it. I want for us to approach
solutions in a better manner than the
first time. Thehighschool games that
we are playing with each other just
aren’t going to work. We all need to
realize that we are the same, yet dif
ferent and these differences make us
special and are to be respected. I
understand fully that some people will
never change, but we all need to do
our parts in seeing that their devilish
deeds do not slip by. Freedom of
speech and opinion exists, but not
when you infringe on the rights of
others. S ticks and stones may break
bones, but words can hurt worse than
anything.
I also will state again that the wrong
doings of students on this campus ate
not the fault of Honor Council or
Interdorm. Whatcantheypossiblydo
when so many students can “get away
with murder” before anything is ever
brought to them, if indeed, it ever is
brought to their attention? There is a
big screw-up with our system, and
although the fault lies with the scra
pieless people who do bad things,
some responsibility must be taken by
our faculty who let these problems
persist. And PresidentThnftcanlilo
it all.
This time (and hopefully the Iasi
time) I sincerely ask—^What's going
on, and what the hell are we
do about it?
-Yolanda M. Hairston
Editor-in-Chief
Stephanie Peede
Layout Editor
Anna Mansfield
Layout:
Anna Mansfiold^Sug
Photography;
Anna Mansfield»Ashley Poston
Staff
Reporters:
Cindie Burnette
Mo Broering
Mary Barcley Churchill
Amy Faulk
Lisa Findlay
Alaina Gieshrecht
Yolanda Hairston
Leslie Howard
Anna Mans'ficld
Shannon Newby
Meredith Roseman
Valerie Schlatter
Julie Smith
Amy Woodard
The Salemite Editorial Policy
e opinions, views, and ideas expressed in the editorial section do not necessarily
represent those of The Salemite or the staff. Any student, faculty or staff member who
as any questions or strong feelings concerning an editorial or letter to the editors
age to write to the editors or to contact the author of the piece in question.
All ^ ^ Salemite to print all editorials at the discretion of the editor
Salpm’f Anyone wishing to write may place their letter in
« e box m Mam Hall or give them to Anna Mansfield or Stephanie Peede.