Page Two
THE TWIG
October 23,1969 “
Mitreclitk College.
October 23, 1969
Long Hair and Sideburns
It was October 15—a day designed for thought and in some cases
action—for thought about America—about American truths—and Viet
nam.
On the Meredith campus, as at thousands of other colleges across
the nation, it was a time for thought and discussion. Professors devoted
class time for those who chose to attend to talk about the war; discus
sions were held in chapel, at the hut and at club meetings; a worship
service was devoted to prayer for resolutions of the issue.
And, by and large, the results of this day’s activities were thoughtful,
concerned—and conservative—expressions.
What does this conservatism mean? Does it mean that Meredith peo
ple don’t care? That they are oblivious to the problems of the world?
Not at all, we feel—and our thoughts are supported by the volume of
individuals who proved their concern and awareness on October 15 in
countless discussions.
All conservatism really means is that those people who hold to it are
a little more cautious—a little more prone to examine all the bridges be
fore crossing the stream.
But today, the idea of conservatism has almost become something of
a stigma—something to be avoided at all costs. And in attempts to veer
away from this affliction, the “in thing” these days seems to be “prove
how liberal you are. Wear hippy clothes with a scarf tied around your
knee, grow sideburns and/or long hair, talk big about how liberal you
are.”
Even those with more conservative attitudes have recently been intimi
dated into the accepted mold of liberalism—or should we say in many
cases, “quasi-liberalism.”
But, following the October 15 Moratorium, we hope that this intimi
dation will cease to operate, and we feel confident it will. Of course,
the “free” styles in clothes will continue to be popular, but we have not
been discussing fashions or even morals. What we have been discussing
is getting out of the liberal column if you do not belong there; just as it
is no sin to be a liberal, it is no sin to be a conservative.
More than anything else, this is what we as Americans and students
need to do—break out from under the “I’m-a-conservative-and-that’s-bad”
complex. Just be what you are—whether it’s liberal or conservative.
And remember—long hair, hippy beads and long sideburns do not a
liberal make. RBM
In the Driver's Seat
The day after we got our driver’s license for the very first time, our
father took us by the shoulders and said,
“Janet, you’re going to learn to drive the Chevrolet.” The Chevrolet
was a 1957 pink-and-whitc job with straight shift, and we had been
making faces at each other for days. Needless to say we approached the
imminent confrontation with trepidation. (If the truth were known, we
imagine the Chevrolet felt the very same way.)
We boarded the fearsome monster and embarked on our prearranged
route, which included a radius of about three city blocks. There wasn’t
a corner on the trip where we didn’t leave a piece or two of the steering
gear or a few bits of the brake.
Daddy could take only so much, so at last he begged, “Please, Janet,
just get me home!”
And when he was safe at last on solid ground, and we were starting
to emerge, he cried, “Wait just a minute, young lady! Where do you
think you’re going? Get right back in the driver’s seat and don’t come
back until you’ve learned how to drive that thing properly!!”
And he marched squarely into the house. Sure enough, the Chevrolet
and I got to know each other; and for years afterward, that was the only
car we would drive.
In recent months, Meredith girls have been told to “get back in the
driver’s seat and don’t come back” until we’ve learned the meaning of
responsibility. For the most part, we have welcomed the opportunity to
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editor Brooks McGIrt
Associaie Editors Emma Ruth Bartholomew, Janet Morris
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Snoop Scoop Becky Brown, Lura McCain
Columnists Percy Beane, Donna Williams
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Edith Whitley, Suzanne Pomeranz, Ann Goodson, Susan Van Wageningen,
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A
Letters to the Editor
ON OCTOBER 15
Dear Editor,
Since The Twig is probably the
only means by which a student can
address the entire Meredith com
munity, I am grateful for this channel
through which to say “thank you”
for the participation and interest
taken by many people October 15.
What began as a protest against
everything that has been done in
Vietnam was transformed into an
exploration of several facets of this
complex issue. I personally deplore
the fact that an avowed Christian
minister sat on our stage and at
tempted in a soft-spoken, statistic
laden, misconstruing conversation
to arouse this community to revolt.
It is rather significant, I think,
that he—an ordained minister—left
God completely out of his com
ments. I admit, however, that if he
had attempted to convince me that
God is for “peace now at any price,”
I would probably have walked out.
The beautiful part of the discussion,
in my opinion, was all the rest—
the varied opinions and suggestions
offered by knowledgeable and con
cerned members of our community.
The freedom to express one’s views
in an orderly assembly is vital to
this campus, and I wish to commend
everyone who participated as well
as those who made the program
possible.
I especially want to say “thank
you” to the students who expressed
opinions in assembly and after
wards, those who participated or
chose not to participate in part or all
of the litany because they had firm
convictions regarding the concepts
it expressed, and those who attended
the evening worship service.
That service was not another
partisan viewpoint, as some may
have thought it would be. Rather,
it was a service of recognition that
only God in His infinite wisdom,
can reveal the path along which
America must travel if peace is to
reign victorious. It was also a ser
vice of prayer for those who have
given and will give their lives, for
those who have become involved in
the war effort, and for all their loved
ones—for people on both sides of
the war.
More than any other issue raised
since I came to Meredith four
autumns ago, the October 15 activi
ties proved to me that this com
munity IS NOT totally apathetic
and that, while healthy differences
of opinion and conviction do exist
in our community (and rightly so),
we can be orderly in our expressions
and still be firm in our beliefs.
So to all of you who got involved,
thank you.
Sincerely,
Ellen Webb
CONGRATS, SLATER
Dear Editor,
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs.
Taylor and the Slater Food Service
Agency. Last semester, in the fruit-
basket-turnover of trustees, adminis
tration, faculty and students, the
departure that really upset the
applecart was that of Mrs. Holler,
the school dietitian. The trustees
did not always get enough money;
the administration made mistakes;
the faculty was often boring; the
students sometimes failed; but, the
food was always great!
Mrs. Holler was leaving—sad
ness. Slater was coming—super
sadness.
Seemingly picking the least of
evils, President Heilman with an
gelic insight selected Mr. and Mrs.
Taylor to come to our aid. No one
ever imagined that this story would
have a happy ending.
But, miracles never cease, and
the angels had better ambrosia. The
entire cafeteria staff has always
given the best of service and under
Mr. Taylor’s leadership has con
tinued to do so. Happiness is here
again!
Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor
and the cafeteria staff, for a job
well done.
Libbo Leathers
Nancy Rouse
N. A. Walters
Nancy Watkins
The opinions expressed in the
columns and cdiloriiils of the
TWIG do not necessarily rcpre>
sent those of the adininistrution,
student body or tlie entire news*
paper sfulf.
prove ourselves capable, mature young women. It has given us a sense
of pride to know that, like knowing how to drive a straight shift, we know
how to take care of ourselves.
Unfortunately, there are some who feel nothing from this added rcsoonsi-
bility, except a slackening up of the reins. They fail to see the importance
of their working tor a more capable adult student body. It would be a
pity to have all the hard work of many students in the past months be in
vam.
Being in the driver’s seat by yourself is too good to relinquish so easily
JKM
The Perils
of Percy
By Pcrcy Beane
First and foremost in every girl’s
mind is how to trap a male. This
is a serious undertaking; it is one
not to enter into lightly. Now, girls,
you are aware that according to the
laws of science, one must follow a
scientific method in order to achieve
the desired results. “Man catching”
is a science, therefore, and it should
be treated as such.
But, before I continue, I must
say a word to those of you who al
ready have the “desired results.”
You do not need to read any further
into this article except for a general
knowledge. Evidently, you are
sneaky enough to have “bagged
your prey” without his knowledge
of it up to this point. Just be care
ful. Your competition could be
reading this article, hoping to bene
fit by it. If she is, and you KNOW
she is, confiscate her paper. Do
anything. And pass her paper on
to a needy friend.
Also if you men are reading this,
do not become alarmed. You are
fated to get caught in some female
snare, anyway. At best this article
will provide you with insight into
the steps she took to get you. And
when she does you will not need to
act so surprised and ask, “How did
I get into this?”
The first step is to select a “pros
pect.” Choose one which is in
keeping with your character. If you
are a Carol Burnette type, do not
waste your time looking for a shy,
retiring Liberace. Also select one
within reason—there is no sense in
trying to trap Broadway Joe Na-
math with this method. He is what
we call an “untouchable.” You will
do much better over at the N.C.
State University Hunting Preserve,
the Carolina Game Board, or the
Duke Endowment Office.
Second, observe your prospect.
If he seems susceptible to blondes,
dye your hair, making certain that
it does not turn green or burgundy,
unless these are his favorite colors.
If you are already a blonde, pro
ceed to the third part, which is
making yourself available. If this
means once a week at the track field,
be there. You can always say you
are in training for the Olympics-
The fourth step is easy; by now
he will have noticed that you have
so much in common (you can both
run laps in two seconds without be
coming winded), he will have seen
that you fit the picture of his ideal
girl. The bait is set, and he grabs
it, asking you for a date.
Now don’t muff it. Nothing is
worse than muffing it by undue
flirting with his roommate; and
don’t lose your cool. After all, that
is what won his heart. The rest is
up to him. More than likely this
vision of perfection “he has found”
will be in his mind at all times and
he will continue to call.
I don’t promise complete success
with this method at all times. Even
the best of us scientists fail. But
don’t give up! Out there somewhere,
some poor lonely little male is just
dying to know who you are. You
must find him.
And look, would you do me a
favor? If he has a lonely friend
would you tell him to call 834-0866?
I’d appreciate it!
1
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