Page Two, Areopagus-Hilltop, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 1972
‘ Old Times Are Not Forgotten ’ -
More On The Dixie Controversy
Reaction From SGA
The following is a statement that
was presented to the students of
Mars Hill College from the President
of the SGA. The statement came out
on January 31, 1972.
Subject:The recent dispute con
cerning the playing of “Dixie” at
College Sporting Events.
Last semester several black members
of our community publicly expressed
their beliefs toward the playing of
the song “Dixie” at college spon
sored sporting events. Such action
displayed courage and conscience
and for this we of the Student Gov
ernment Association admire and re
spect their convictions. However, be
cause of their convictions these in
dividuals were mistreated by some
quarters of the student body through
acts of hatred and racism. Consequ
ently, at this time we of the Student
Government Association issue the
following statement In regard to such
acts of hatred and racism.
LET IT BE KNOWN, that the guiding
principle of student conduct at Mars
Hill College is that of responsible
student freedom. Intrinsic in respon
sible student freedom is the belief
that a student should regard his
peers as human beings. Thusly he
should have respect for his fellow
students’ belief as well as their race.
Any action in which a student is not
regarded as a human being is one of
hatred and malice. Consequently, at
this time let It be known that the
Student Government Association of
Mars Hill College does not condone
any form of hatred or racism within
the college community.
by Steve Grimes
This article is still going to be
about the racism of Mars Hill. But
not about the racism of the blacks
or whites. A more important prob
lem of a different sort came about
in the research. Caring is the magic
word of this week.
I began my project knowing that
there are definite problems of rac
ism that need the most desperate
of answers. Though spirits may be
dampened I still believe this to the
fullest extent.
I first realized that these problems
existed when I heard the rumors of
the blacks leaving Mars Hill. Their
complaint: Mars Hill consists of too
much white culture. The blacks are
in danger of losing their identities.
As to whether these rumors are true
I don’t really know. As far as I can
tell these are still rumors.
I set out to Interview several of
• - - From Administration
The following is a statement from
the Administrative Team stemming
from the recent controversy over the
playing of “Dixie.” This statement
came to my office in mid-January.
Respect for the rights and the
feelings of persons with different
points of view, different tastes, dif
ferent life styles is a virtue which
should arise from the college experi
ence. In fact, it should be a major
benefit of living in an academic
community, especially one which
claims to believe In Christian prin
ciples. It does not always come
easily, however, for It is sometimes
difficult to be patient with others, to
see and respect their points of view,
to care about their feelings, or to
understand their actions which may
be different from our own. Never
theless, to strive for this virtue is
infinitely worthwhile, for it contributes
to individual growth, which is an
important objective of the college
experience.
At times it may even be necessary
for one individual or group to sacri
fice some of its personal freedom
in order to demonstrate respect for
another individual or group. The
recent conflict on our campus over
the playing of "Dixie” is a relevant
example. If the playing of this song
is offensive to a segment of our
community—even though it may be
a minority segment—then the major
ity ought to forego its right to play or
hear the song. In so doing they will
demonstrate respect for the feelings
of the minority and, hopefully, con
tribute to the development of a
genuine feeling of community on
our campus.
On the other hand, sacrificing per
sonal rights out of respect for others
ought not be a one-way street, some
thing the majority should do in de
ference to the feelings of the minor
ity. As Its contribution to general
harmony and goodwill within our
community, the minority should re
frain from demands, gestures and/or
threats which might be offensive to
the majority and would tend to create
hostility and ill will.
As members of this academic com
munity, we pledge ourselves to strive
to respect the rights and feelings of
others and to try to be understanding
of those whose views and actions are
different from our own. We ask all
members of the community—stu
dents, faculty and staff—to join us
In this pledge and to sacrifice per
sonal freedom if necessary in order
to attain these goals.
Fred B. Bentley, Richard L. Hoffman,
Robert R. Chapman, James R. Cox,
Donald D. Gehring, VIolette B. Hen
derson, John M. Hough, Jr., Walter
P. Smith, Frances M. Snelson
Women In Power: Statistics
Women faculty members number
39 as opposed to 65 men, listed
under active faculty. Under the list
ings of the Administrative Staff there
are 11 men, and 3 women. Under the
listing of Assistants there are 11
women and 3 men. There are no men
in the Library staff, or the secretarial
staff.
What about head of the depart
ments? Four women are acting de
partment heads. There are 10 men.
if you are interested in what depart
ments these women head up, they
are modern ianguages, history, busi
ness administration, and home e»-
nomics. Tenure seems to have an
effect as to quaiiticatlon. One has
been here since 1937, one since 1944
the third since 1952. The head of the
home economics department has
been empioyed here since 1966.
As for scaie of saiaries, informa
tion was not made available to the
newspaper. So we cannot state
whether there is or isn’t a difference.
According to Ms. Pat Verhuist,
"teaching is one of the few places
where women can get a lair shake.”
Let’s break things down one more
level. In which department are you
most likely to find more women
profs? First if all, there are no
women profs, in the religion depart
ment. There are two in the physical
education dept. Men even out num
ber women In the music department.
So in reaiity, the oniy department in
which women outnumber men is In
home economics, and there are no
men in this department. One has to
ask how the Galioping Gourmet feels
about this.
NO WOMEN
SERVED
fi A .. * *•
' /iJ .. •
^
ifn (4*1
iif
U
IHAVIIM
'hi-
the blacks but of course one thing
led to another. The first person
didn’t believe that I was on the
level so he never showed for the in
terview. The second person gave a
long, good interview, but he said he
needed time to think. To think
about what he had said. He had two
weeks to think and he’s still think
ing. The third person wanted time
to think before she even said any
thing. She too is still thinking.
I canceled the remaining appoint
ments. Maybe I gave up too easy
... so shoot me. It just doesn’t
seem right that I should have to
drag the problem of racism out. In
the first place an issue as big as
this should be more out in the open.
Secondly I have no desire to help
people who won’t bother to help
themselves.
I'm walking on thin ice with that
last statement but I’m afraid that is
how I’m beginning to feel. I admit
that ■ I don’t understand the blacks
way of thinking because it is differ
ent. The basic problem of racism
lies in communication and apparent
ly I’ve stumbled over my first gap.
I’ve been asked why I should give
a damn about the blacks problems.
All that I can truthfully say i*
don’t. I do give a damn
about
pie’s problems whether thof
black, white, red or
really doesn’t matter. W®
people. Simple?? Wish it
Needless to say I am vejy
confused as to what to thi® _
ing it from my side it,
though complaining is a
lot
than really getting down
I to tue
gritty. So why do anythinS'
always complain. It
though a lot of people tia
doing that lately. Again
you that the problem of mci
exist at Mars Hill. I ^ j
complish something, t)Ut
I’m not about to give up ®®^^
the students, whether blao
I send out a plea or help'
I feel like I may be cho
reader by not going
subject. Maybe I am
want to go into it any
yet. I would like to j|'|
so I would really know vuba
ing about. Like I said
really understand. Be P „
cause we still have a
ions
;?E
go.
From A Prof
Dear Lalne:
College Is neither the home nor
the world. It does not provide the
physical and psychic security of the
family nor does It demand the reality
oriented life of the work-a-day world.
Ideally the college helps young men
and women move frorn the home to
the world. It ought to facilitate that
transition and to do so it must be
come a community that carries both
the possibilities and the problems of
adult existence.
Presently our nation agonizes as
it determines whether or not it will
develop a pluralistic social order In
which differing races and contrasting
cultural styles will be affirmed and
judged as contributing to the riches
of American society. The People of
Color are insisting that this issue be
joined. And it is being joined in
factories. In churches. In legislative
halls, In colleges, and, on occasion.
In violent confrontation between eth
nic and racial groups.
But what has this
...yiarlV'
college and, more ,, nj
It P‘
Mars Hill? In my opinion: ^
fundamental question. I® .j,ji
to assist a student in ni® J'
lent in '■■'(jjii*'' niany as we d
adult existence sheltered teopig last year
witd
significant encounter
issue? I think not. Put p'®
Is a strange feeling of P i,!® vve chang
a college that has alniost nt
a
to
of Color in Its community'
catlonai experience in
tends to be dysfunctional-
reflect real life; it
world.
I submit that to be ®® pj jj-
appropriateness of pl®y''] u
a college function in
mony to our isolation, 5^1
significantly Increase the
racial mix of our studen .
conti®
ifll) 8l
Staff such debates will O'
fleet our fantasy world.
Donald An'
der®'
(professor)
by Zip Mills
One of the most controversial
Issues on the Mars Hill College
campus is that of religious bias. In
my quest to find out more on the
matter I talked to the president of
eSM, Joy Rhodes and the pastor
of the Methodist Church, Rev. Jim
Long.
The following is an interview with
Joy:
ZIP; How many are in the group now
called eSM?
JOY: Three hundred are on roll.
ZIP; Did you ask these three hun
dred if they were Baptist, Methodist.
Catholic, etc.?
WHC
WE’R £
"PROUD
h I R ; ^ S F
E H Ri A
TIE- H
Bu.t -Hn
p P I 15 S j ,
^OSE bEFlF
AC e.' J
''9ious Bias
'*®cause
last yes
“then
just for Bapti
s in there.
'J'Sht it was just 1
main reason '
because we v
to the campu
®®ruit members.
we set up
?*'®n and asked
join to sign i
ndred signed u
thirty come to
isn’t that recrui
I'Jt really.
of twenty that
"'y others beside
a few.
Jiat exactly is y
the Baptist (
® are still assc
union which 1
C°hvention and
y- That Is thi
■} have with the
Like the Lol
‘sions Conferem
through a Bap
'''ho pays for it b
hs a Baptist to
, you think you
J'hy or whatever.
off people
(j your meetings a
, tihdercurrent of
in the meetii
l°ne up with “B
l®t’s what begar
”6're trying in tl
^away from “de
different mean
We do
eSM an
Bias
d Religi^
Intenvi^
JOY: No, but most are Baptist.
ZIP: You changed your name from
Baptist Student Union (BSU) to
Christian Student Movement (CSM).
So what effort have you made to seek
other denominations to join the CSM
since the change?
JOY: It was BSU so we changed the
Prayer.
* I have never
people I
iJjj in essence y
fo CSM is you
anq
denomlnatic
then to get
"Nation” and be
°Ple without
, are trying to
long as they I
'i®sus Christ.
i.*aiking to Joy, I
Long. Over
^i*f pipe tobac
yiews of the o