Editorial: Commentary jjm \/mJS
SANTA. HO!
Santa Claus' existence can not be proven scientifically. This
is unforutnate in an age like ours that takes pride in knowing things.
Presupposing the Claushood is genuine, permit us to sketch and attempt
to vivify his nebulous being. One sees twelve Santas in a three
block area. He should not tell anyone these imposters are really
Santa's helpers. The perpetuation of this myth can only enhance
chances for the old boy's demise. Bilious bell-ringers do not a
St. Nick make. That poor gentleman seems to some an anachronism in
later twentieth century America. Let us look at him objectively
and all of us can readily see his true modernity.
He has a full white beard. Facial growth like this must mean
he is alienated. He probably is a long-time pot smoker, sometimes
draft resister. In Chicago in August, he might have been maced,
clubbed and dragged away. Of course, he would merely peel off a few
fast ho-ho's, indicating one reason why skeptics doubt the reality
of his being. Each indicidual takes himself seriously today, maybe
too seriously. By contrast, Claus laughs .;at himself, even is amused
when stuck in chimneys. He gets caught in them because he is fat,
grossly overweight in fact.
Quite naturally, his fleshiness offends the modern American
sensibility. It is infuriating to conceive of someone with such a
gargantum appetite. Why many people even leave high calorie Christmas
Eve snacks for Santal No, in a nation gone mad on dieting in search
of wasp waists and protuberant ribs, a man like Claus is simply
not believable. He has that suspected attitude of enjoying what he
eats. Americans, munching scrumptious celery and nibbling at
various other rancid diet concoctions, must readily detest the hearty
eater from the far North.
If they don't loathe Santa for his dietary practices, surely
they despise him for his work in the world. Imagine someone who
gives gifts without hope of reward or thoughts of any clever angle.
His actions certainly earn the animosity of neo-Jeffersonian-
Calhounist democrats who loudly proclaim the virtues of the self-
made man. Claus' benevolence demonstrates the advanced stage of
creeping socialism to this faction. To them, the rotund sleigh
driver must be a Red Peril equally as dangerous as the .'more publicized
one.
It is all the more suspicious that he is so beneficent when one
considers the relatively reclusive life he leads most of the year.
Not only does he live apart from accepted society, but he is apolitical
and lacks spirited nationalism as well.
Claus travels around the world and has several aliases. He
is a greater bagman then anyone the Cosa Nostra has to offer. His
behavior appears quite strange. If he has a phone, it might bear
wiretapping. It is possible he may be a world leader in disguise.
Imagine a Russian premier of recent years. Add to his shiny dome a
shock of white hair, give him some whiskers, and change his conservative
clothing to rather garish garb. After all, people have seen pictures
of the alleged S.C. with his boot off, pounding on one object or another.
Jim Vans of Youth Development
Inc. was chapel speaker at Montreat
on December 3. October 24, he
appeared in quite a different role
from that of campus guest. He spoke
before the Citizen's Advisory Board
Cn Youth Opportunity, a group chaired
by Hubert Humphrey. His topic was
one he whould know well: The Ghetto.
The following excerpt is taken from
that speech.
In the crises of the Ghetto, we
have suddenly moved with speed, lots
of money, programs, and tools. For
a period we have eased the conscience
of the nation. We have come forth
with quantity even if we missed the
quality.
We have not solved our problem
overnight we never will. We may
have to back up a long way. We need
long range programs. Along with
programs to meet the physical poverty,
we must meet their emotional, intellec
tual and spiritual poverty. The
crying need is manpower to do the
job....skilled leadership to guide the
manpower, administer programs and
handle the funds to do the job.
The President's Council had
done a great job of inestimable value.
Because of your effort Business and
Labor responded. Mayors, Educators,
and Volunteers have followed your
guide lines..,.but it's not enoughi
Summer programs, jobs, and
education to fill the gaps are great.,
but it's not enough. Opportunities
have been provided for many....but
in the inner city.... opportunity is
not enoughi
I agree with the government
financed study that rejected as
false the view that most ghetto negroes
are angry. It went on to report that
a majority appear "overly content or
apathetic." I find that very true.
It is increasingly difficult
for agencies whether government or
private to reach In from OUTSIDE of
these communities. Some of the people
cry "we can do it ourselves. Give us
the money...the power...let us gol"
It is obvious that in the
majority of cases they are not prepared
to do the job.
In my opinion we will have to
back up from escalated programs and
big spending, before we can move
forward. We must have established
long range programs removed from the
threat of "Are we funded yet?"
Removed from the threat of changing
politics.
MONTREAT-ANDERSON
COLLEGE
Basketball Schedule 1968-1969
Dec. 9, Winston-Salem B-C W-S
7:30
Dec. 12, Ashe.-bJ-ltmore Coll.
(J.V.) Home 8:00
Dec. 19, Friendship College
Home 8:00
Dec. 17, Western Piedmont Coll.
Morgan!on
Dec. 18, Ashe.-Biltmore (J.V.)
Asheville 6:00