Campus Editorial
March 10.1993 page two
Letters to the Editor
In my miod, two rf' the finest
traditions that have eodured at
Meredith College throughout its
impressive history are commit
ment and leadership. They are
acmally two of the defining char
acteristics of our community of
students, faculty and staff
You’re probablysaying to your
selves about now, “What does that
have to do with everyday reluc
tant heroes?” My answer to that
is: everything. Without commit
ment and leader
ship on the part
of the members
of our commu-
oity.fliecommu-
mtywooldsorely
cease to exist as
we Icoow it And
those everyday
reluctant heroes
ensure th^ these
strong traditions carry forth.
Why have I called them every
day reluctant heroes? In my mind,
a hero doesn’t have to be a super
human individual like those de
picted on Saturday morning car
toons. Heroes are people who
stand up for their convictions;
people who help or positively in
fluence others: people who are
not concerned with recognition or
glory.
Heroes are those people who
are willing to take what can some
times seem like an unpopular
stand, such as accepting the re
sponsibility to report an honor
code violation when others around
them turn their backs. They are
willing to uphold the high stan
dard of the community because
they have the strength of their
convictions.
Heroes are usually pretty ordi
nary people. People you meet in
everyday life. And if you ap
proached these people and called
them heroes, they would undoubt
edly be very reluctant to accept
Becky Bradshaw
Faircloth Residence
Director
the title. Everyday reluctant he
roes. I’m sure each of you know
many. Probably many of you are
heroes.
But I think I’m safe in saying
that none of us here has ever en-
countereda talking, burning bush.
And, like Moses, we have prob
ably all from time to time ques
tioned our abilities K) handle cer
tain situations we find ourselves
in. But when we stop and take the
time to listen to our hearts and
hear that
spkit within
us leading
us, we be
come more
willing to
take action
against an
injustice, to
help some
one who is
reaching out to us, or to take on a
position of responsibility in our
community.
1 don’t know about you, but I
find the most rewarding experi
ences I have in Ufe are the ones in
which I am a participant, rather
thanjustanobserver. For example,
I love the theatre and I enjoy going
to plays, but I get much more
enjoyment out of participating in
a play — going to rehearsals,
studying the characters and un
derstanding what the playwright
was trying to say.
In addition to participating,
each and every one of us must
assume responsibilities within our
community, "niose responsibili
ties range from small, seemingly
insignificant roles, to large im
portant jobs. There is something
for everyone. We just have to be
willing to heed flie call and accept
the responsibility.
see EDITORIAL page three
CORRECTION...
In a play review in the last issue of the//era W, an actor from the Meredith
Performs Play Toys in the Attic wasincorrectly identified. We are running
the review ofthe play again, with the name corrected. We regret any
inconvenience caused by our error.
A student responds
Is cultural diversity addressed at Meredith?
The answer is a resounding NO! On a campus where statements such as
“Buckwheat’s Holiday” are accepted as common terminology for MLK’s
Holiday. In an environment where notations of “Malcolm X Rot in Hell” and
“The KKK Lives” are clearly carved onto a biology class desk for all to see
and benefit from. Somewhere where fellow students would rather scrape the
walls than risk an “accidental” brush against an Aitican-American person
as we pass in the hall. No, someone hasn’t done their job! I dare to say,
however, that Meredith College isn’t the only culprit Each individual
student plays a role in the “difference ignorance” that runs rampant through
our college community.
In my opinion, it is not chiefly the college’s job to expose and educate
students to the different people represented on campus. TTiat job lies more
with the individual because the attitudes that were demonstrated above were
personal. No amount of textbook prodding or “special” programming
would alleviate those. Book knowledge is often lost after a test and we all
know the degree of attendance and attention special cultural programs get
on our campus. Many ignore them because they have no bearing on their
white world.
These types of attitudes and ways of thinking can’t be remedied through
aninsgtutionalone.Ichallengefellowstudentstotakeonthejobofhandling
cultural diversity themselves. Tlirough reading about and talking with those
who differ from you. so muCh difference can be made in oxir community at
large andhere at Meredith in particular. You never know—one day in your
“perfect” world you may be enlightened by a person from a “non” group
(non-white, non-rich, non-heterosexual, non-youthful, non-female, non-
handicapable). It will definitely be YOUR JOB to deal with them. The
question is; how will you?
LaDawn Wray, sophomore, Sociology major
Meredith Herald
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