Newspapers / Grimsley High School Student … / Sept. 29, 1969, edition 1 / Page 2
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Page Two HIGH LIFE ■ Sept. 29, 1969 ROTC — Yes or No When many Grimsley students came to school on August 27, they were handed an anti-ROTC pamph let. There has been a lot of argu ment both for and against the ROTC program here. We were for tunate to interview the instructor of the ROTC progrtm at Grims ley and we feel the program is wrong and has no place as a sepa rate course at the school. The main purpose of ROTC is leadership training with minor pur poses of teaching patriotism, the National Rifle Association safe hunter program, History, hygiene, drug abuse, and first aid. We cannot see how leadership taught by commanding a drill team that will offer no dissent and that must obey their superior’s ev ery order will ever benefit any one who wants to lead in a democ racy. This leadership is the restrict ed leadership of a dictator who ex pects and relieves no questions. We do not feel that this is the right preparation for a person liv ing in our world today. The teaching of patriotism is superflous. All through elementary and junior high school we have gained an appreciation of the American culture and way of life. A student taking ROTC already has an appreciation of his country. To instill patriotism, ROTC mem bers are shown comparative films of the good way of life “here” and the bad way of life “there”. Yet, they aren’t infomed of the nations that we back militarily who are worse than “they”. We must have patriots, but we need the pa triotism established on the princi ples on which this nation was founded. The National Rifle Association safe-hunter program may be an ex cellent course, but why can it not be taken under NRA auspices by the interested student, or why can it not be offered under the physical education program, the way arch ery is taught. The student who wants to learn marksmanship can always find a civilian program to suit his needs in this area. The place to build our demo cratic leadership and patriotism should be in the academic class room. Why can’t discussions in social studies classes not take the place of leadership through dril ling? By listening and participat ing in these discussions, people take stands and become leaders. They become leaders able to choose a side while remaining re ceptive to constructive suggestions by others whose opinions differ from their own. ROTC Beneficial A man stands before a small group of interviewers in a former radio room beneath the auditor- num. Many questions will be raised. Are students of this course taught to destroy human life? Should guns, non-operational M-I’s and “live” 22’s be permitted on the campus of Grimsyel High School? Does drill and rank develop lead ership? How about the course title; might it not be misleading? Attitudes are the key factors. Opposing attitudes have brought this assemblage together. Now, together, pro and anti-ROTC pon der the same question, all asked of one individual Colonel J, V. Booker. He and Sergeant Zales are no different from other men trying to resolve problems put forward by humanity. Colonel Booker explains the program. This is comparatively simple, for the explanation deals with facts, not theory of right and wrong. But overtaking and obviously overhanging this is the basic issue—a philosophical one. School Ugly Nobody wants to hear about School Beautiful. This article is not concerned with School Beautiful as a result. In its place, this article will concern itself with a better known aspect of school life. School Ugly. School Ugly could easily be placed before Us as a model school activity. It has almost the full par ticipation of the student body. The work days occur spontaneously five days a week. No outside urging is needed to arouse enthusiasm. School Ugly is a fine example of spirit. Seriously, we think it’s better to be involved in tearing down the campus than to remain passive. But, conversely, it takes a certain amount of guts to be wishy-washy. So, to sum up, it takes no initiative to be involved in pro-rightest af fairs such as School Beautiful.. It takes no guts. No doubt this is the valid excuse used by many to ra tionalize their behavior, or, rath er, justify. Is the military a morally justifi able institution in society? War is an evil creation, stem ming out of prejudice, hate, fear and ignorance, themselves evil creations of man’s failure to treat his fellowman as he himself would be treated. Until this har mony is established on earth man will continue to distrust one an other and he will coin something to do his “dirty work”, someone other than himself to accept the responsibility for his iU will. The military has not and never has been, the cause of war. The military is an institution run by men. At worst it is a result of mankind’s suicidal struggle against the brotherhood of each one of us. Understanding and distinguish ing cause from effect is vital to the ultimate realization of our social envirinment. As a member of the Marine Corps Junior ROTC, but primari ly as a believer in the betterment of the human race I feel com pelled to defend this leadership program and its co-ordinators. Able leadership is the essence of success for any movement es- pcially social reform. Though not perfect by any means, I be lieve this course to be a good thing. Sophomore r Editorial Briefs By Steve Grossman Once again it is about time for the sophomore rush by the service clubs on campus. This means that it is about time for the usual beefs claiming that Grimsley’'s service clubs are social clubs. Before I go any further, let me state that I am not a member of a service club by my own preference. I have not applied for membership ever be cause of conflicting hours with my job. I say this because I want to make it clear that I have not been asked to state what I’m about to state by a club and that I am not an “outcast” from a club. Grimsley’s service clubs are very definitely not social clubs. They are clubs sponsored by a parent organization. Social clubs are spe cifically not permitted on this campus. This is an annual event. About m’d-October or early November, those sophomores who have ap plied to the respective clubs and have not been accepted begin their arguments that “only popular peo ple get in” or “She knows some body”. Service clubs here do not operate that way. Whether one is accepted in a club or not is up to ord. So, let us not have the usual his past attitude, service, and rec- bickering if not selected this year. There are still two more years to apply. It looks like our football team has the potential to make a good match out of the Reynolds game this year. After aU, we beat Broughton 13-0 and Reynolds only beat them 14.0. Fly high. Big Blue. Congratulations to Carl McNeill as pep board chairman. He has really revived the Whirlie spirit from its mediocre state last year. The Electric Trash Can Band is a stroke of genius, Carl, but can they play “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”! HIGH LIFE Published Weekly 1 September through 1 June, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, between semes ters and spring holidays by the students of Grimsley Senior High School, 801 Westover Terrace Greensboro, N. C. 27410 Second-class Postage Paid In Greensboro, N. C. $1 Per Semester CCSC - What Is It? Undaunted by two previous failures, two reporters set out a third and more successful time in search of a CCSC meeting. This orgnization, the Central Committee for Social Change, is a group of anti-military students of both high school and college ages. Merely attending a meeting as observers was a worthwhile experience. The meeting was informal and all present were invited to contrib ute to the discussions. We were impressed by the group’s sinceri ty concerning its cause; they are quite genuinely disturbed over the situation in Vietnam. These young people are protesting war because they believe it is wrong, not be cause pacifism is a popular or nov el movement. The members of CCSC whom we either met or saw appeared to be friendly, intelligent persons. They seem well-informed as to laws and ordinances which might apply to their undertakings, and they are aware of the legitimate procedures they must observe in order to reg ister their complaints. Te believe CCSC is a constructive organization with a justified griev ance. Its members have the cour age of their convictions, a quality uncharacteristic of too many Americans today. dwTHiKATioNAOi Foundcd by the feu-J —- Revived by the Spring Journalism Class of 1937 Editor-in-Chief Steve Grossman Business Manager Gary Dean Editorial Staff Vickie Topkins, Tom Dawson, Meredith Foltz, Steve Settle. News Editor David Gaynor, Susan Hardee News Staff Rodney Holland, Stuart Kalifon, Alice Scher Sports Editors Walt Deal, Alan Riley, Larry Staples Feature Editor Susan Michaels Feature Staff Beth Johnson, Ken Cox, Betty Black Photographer Lowell Rausch Cartoonist Chuck Steacy Exchange Editor Carol Groover
Grimsley High School Student Newspaper
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Sept. 29, 1969, edition 1
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