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ct:.2 c liter. Letters tnd eclssns represent crjy the cpirJcss cf te individual contributors.
February 11, 1974
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Scarlett O'Hara would be
ashamed. '
Last week the Georgia state
legislature defeated the Equal
Rights Amendment to the
Constitution by a vote of 104-70.
Ms. O'Hara, who never thought
much of southern belles, would be
aghast to know that the image has
perpetuated itself this far into the
twentieth century.
Not that Georgia is any less
progressive than the rest of her
southern sister states. Only Texas
and Tennessee are included in the 33
states which have ratified the ERA
since it was passed by Congress two
years ago. But the other Old South
states Virginia, N.C., S.C.,
Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Arkansas have all
either refused theamendment or are
in the process of doing so.
The arguments in Georgia against
the ERA were typical of those used
by ERA opponents last year in N.C.,
Alabama and Arkansas.
"Don't vote for ERA because then
. Gussn Killer, Editor
Ccthy Farrcil, Managing Editor
C'.'.l Welch, M3ws Editor
Dsvid Eskrids, Associate Editor
Hzr.zy Pet 2, Associate Editor
itcvn f'sCcrthy, Fcsturss Editor
EillzU Urnscic, Sports Editor
Tom Randolph, Photo Editor
Ernis Pitt, Night Editor
men and women will have to use the
same bathroom."
"I didn't raise my daughter to be a
soldier."
"ERA . will destroy southern
womanhood.
The statements above indicate
that there is a basic
misunderstanding of what the ERA
will and will not do.
The proposed amendment reads:
"Equality of rights under the law
shall not be denied or abridged by
the United States or any State on
account of sex."
Simply, the ERA provides that
nobody should be discriminated
against because of sex. And the
amendment is not limited to
insuring women's rights, but men's
also.
As for the specific arguments cited
above, "equality under the law" does
not mean that the sexes must be
regarded as identical. Furthermore,
the right to privacy under the
Constitution would permit the
separation of sexes with respect to
such places as public toilets.
Congress now possesses the
power to include women in any
military conscription, but under the
Military Selective Service Act of
1967 only male citizens must register
for the draft. The ERA would
require that this law be extended to
women equally but under the same
conditions. Therefore, ERA will not
require that all women serve in the
military any more than all men are
now required to serve. The added
fact that the administration is now
depending on a volunteer military
service makes the draft even more of
a moot issue.
Will ERA destroy southern
womanhood?
The amendment applies only to
government action and legal rights,
not to social custom. Relationships
between the sexes would be decided
. by the individuals involved. Thus, if
a woman prefers, she can retain her
status as a "southern belle." Or she
can be a "liberated woman." Under
the ERA she has a choice.
But as it now stands, and what
southern states continue to reinforce
by ERA refusal, is that a woman is
still subject to legal discrimination
because of her sex and thus has no
real choice.
Enactment of the amendment
would mean, among other things,
that a bank could not deny credit to
a woman nor could an employer pay
her less than a man. It would mean
that a married woman could engage
in business as freely as her husband
and that a woman would not have to
serve a longer prison sentence than a
man for the same offense (or vice
versa). Above all, the ERA would
recognize the fundamental dignity
and individuality of each human
being.
Five more states are needed to
ratify ERA. Four southern states
S.C., Virginia, Mississippi,
Louisiana will consider the
amendment during 1974 legislative
sessions. It can be brought back up
in N.C. this year and should be.
It is time that the South
acknowledges the need for the ERA.
As a legal concept, at least, the
southern belle should be gone with
the wind.
The last installment of "Campus Affairs" raised a serious
charge of back room politics in the Gary Phillips campaign
for student body president. At the time of the last column
Ford Runge, who was labeled as a backer cf Phillips, cculd
not be reached for comment. Over, the weekend he was
contacted and had this to say:
"Friday's Campus Affairs' column, in vhich Scth Effron
accused me of 'giving candidate Gary Phillips information
that I have 'withheld from the press and other candidates to
bolster Phillips campaign platform' is so lacking in reason,
thenghtfulness, or decency that I feel compelled to reply.
"I have given Phillips no information which 1 have not
given to other candidates or the press.
"I do not support Gary Phillips for President. I support no
one. I have no plans to join Phillips staff.
"While I don't support anyone in particular, there is no
reason why I might not show interest in, say Napoleon Byars
if I want to. My right to speak to or about any candidate is
guaranteed by the first amendment of the Constitution of the
United States."
Mike Johnson, Phillips campaign manager, responded to
the charges saying he had not withheld any information
about the "teacher-course evaluation" from anyone, noting
that even the DTH had written an article about it earlier.
"Ive talked to one particular candidate (besides Phillips)"
about course evaluation, Johnson said. "I said it was fine if
he used it as an issue. I don't care if everyone uses it as an
issue. - -
"I wanted to work with a candidate who would push this
(course evaluation) the strongest. Gary is that candidate, I
feel," Johnson said.
Amelia Bellows, notorious radical feminist and head of
the Association of Women Students is backing Murray
Fogler for President.
Whatever Bellows or any other person believe about the
candidates, it seems that most candidates, including Fogler,
have almost identical platforms, and they have yet to address
themselves to any of the pertinent issues.
Each platform from Byars, to Fogler, to Hackney, to
Wilmot-Smith, to Phillips, to Warren and so on centers
around the traditional issues Student Government has been
Letters to the editor
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dealing with ineffectively since SG was founded. Getting
dorms to be the way students want them, academic reform,
town-gown relations, and the locator service are these
traditional issues.
It cannot be denied that these are important issues and
should be pursued. But what must be realized is that after
years and years of hassling over these same things it should
be obvious why there has been no significant change. All the
platform changes have a catch to them they need
University administration approval.
The Student Consumer Action Union is the only issue 1
have ever seen in a candidate's platform that represents any
significant change.
The idea of going outside the immediate University
structure is a feasible idea. It does not necessarily have to be a
direct part of Student Government, but Student
Government's support, as in the case of SCAU, can certainly
help.
Student Government can be the motivating force behind
the establishment of student-owned (not student
government owned) living cooperatives. These cooperatives
can own buildings and house students in arrangements
determined by the student members of the cooperative.
Meals, which for most dorm residents now is a drudgery
rather than a time of relaxation could also be served in.,
coops.
This can work and has worked. If any candidate wants to
find out more, there is a booklet called, "How to make your
own coop." by University Students' Cooperative
Association 2424 Ridge Rd., Berkeley, Ca.
Prof defends health course
To the editor:
Mr. Morton's letter of January 30
concerning Health Education 33 (Topics in
Human Sexuality), while sacrificing lucidity
in an attempt to be witty, raises two points
that demand a response.
Firstly, far from there being a "flippant"
attitude toward abortion or any of the other
topics dealt with in this course, this issue is
taken very very seriously. The course is
designed to help students make their own,
often difficult and even painful decision with
an open mind and with awareness of possible
medical, psychological and moral
consequences to themselves and to others.
Therefore arguments for and against are
explored. While proponents of abortion and
by Lena C tames
and
Dr. Tckty Crist
(Editor's Note: Third in a series on
contraception.)
The diaphragm method is an approach to
contraception which has been used
successfully by many for well over 80 years.
It involves the use of a contraceptive cream
or jelly in combination with a vaginal
diaphragm.
The vaginal diaphragm is a circular metal
spring covered with a fine latex rubber. The
spring is flexible along one axis and the
entire diaphragm can be compressed and
easily passed into the vagina.
A woman using this method puts a small
amount of contraceptive cream or jelly in the
bowl or on the dome of the diaphragm and
applies a little around the edge of the rim
with her fingertip. She compresses the sides
cf the rim together and inserts it into the
vagina. Insertion can be accomplished
simply with the fingers or with a special
stic inserter designed for that purpose. .
Properly placed" the . diaphragm fits
securely and comfortably, covering the
cervix completely. The diaphragm operates
both by mechanically obstructing entry of
sperm into the cervix and by inactivating
sperm with chemicals contained in the cream
or jelly.
Since the dimensions of the vagina from
the area behind the cervix to the public bone
varies, diaphragms are available in specific
sizes. The distance may be measured by
vaginal examination and the proper size
prescribed.
There are several distinct advantages to
this method. Women who use the diaphragm
need concern themselves with protection
only at those times when they expect
intercourse.
A woman may insert the diaphragm one
or two hours before intercourse and still be
protected. Thus, foreplay need not be
interrupted. If an additional act of
intercourse - is desired, however, an
additional amount of cream or jelly should
be inserted with the applicator.
After intercourse the diaphragm must be
left in place for at least six hours, usually
until the next morning. Douching is not
necessary at all, but if desired, a woman
should wait until the diaphragm is removed.
Whether or not intercourse takes place,
the diaphragm may be left in place for 24
hours. After it is removed, the diaphragm
should be washed with soap and water and
dried. It should be powdered and put back in
its box or container.
The cost of the diaphragm is
approximately $5 and the cream or jelly
approximately 11c to 15c for each use. If
cared for properly, the diaphragm may be
used for a year or longer.
, This method has its disadvantages too.
Women must first be "measured" by a
physician to determine the proper size
diaphragm. At the time of the fitting, if the
woman has not used a diaphragm before, the
doctor will instruct her in how to insert it
properly and how to remove it. Some women
have difficulty overcoming their
embarrassment at the prospect of this
rehearsal.
The woman who has an aversion to
inserting the diaphragm into the vagina
would also be unhappy with this method.
The diaphragm is about 90 percent
effective in preventing pregnancy. It ranks
third in effectiveness behind the IUD and the
pill.
Another appliance designed to cover the
entrance to the womb is called the cervical
cap. This is a small cap or cup made of
plastic or rubber, which fits securely over the
cervix, much like a tight thimble on the
finger.
Like the diaphragm, a cap must be fitted
carefully by a physician. But unlike the
diaphragm, self-insertion and placement are
a difficult procedure for women because the
cervix is located so deep in the vagina.
Being much more difficult to use the cap is
less acceptable than the diaphragm.
However, for those who can master the
technique or placement, it may be an ideal
method.
One distinct advantage of the cap is that it
can be left in place for up to one month at a
time. Some doctors instruct the woman to
insert the cap after menstruation and leave it
in place for lamost the entire cycle, removing
it only a few days before the next period is
due.
Like the diaphragm, if properly fitted the
cap can not be felt by either partner and will
not be displaced during intercourse.
Studies indicate the cap can be as effective
in preventing pregnancy as the condom or
the diaphragm.
(Next week: IUDs.)
Questions should be addressed to Lana
Starnes and Dr. Takey Crist, in care of The
Daily Tar Heel, Student Union, Chapel Hill.
N.C. 27514.)
COPYRIGHT 1974 by Lana Stsxnes
and Dr. Takey Crist. AH rijhts reserved.
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The Daily Tr Heel provides the
opportunity for. expression of
opinions by readers through letters to
the editor. This newspaper reserves
the right to edit all letters for libelous
statements and food taste.
Letters should be limited to 3 S3
words and must include the nine,
address tiid phone number cf the
iwriter. Type letters on a 63-space La
lead address them to Editor, TiieDiily
Tar Heel, in care cf the Stvd.rct
Union.
sid vAr:? to finov that ladizs nor.iz jqu&hal is a hot r.iAnsisrr Tins yeak
of other controversial matters present their
views, so do opponents, and both sides are
discussed intensively in small groups.
Secondly, grades are based on objective
knowledge tests graded according to
distribution of scores, and on scholarly
papers that are expected to present and
document at least two opposing views on
sexuality-related problems chosen by the
individual students. Probably largely due to
the fact that the subject matter of the course
is of great personal interest and relevance to
most students, a remarkable proportion of
the papers submitted demonstrate a serious
effort at a thorough and painstaking
examination of facts and expert opinions
and at achieving a rational, dispassionate
summation. If, as is the case, the majority of
papers are of a commendably high caliber,
grades are awardecf on thisjbasis even if their
distribution does not adhere strictly to an
artificially imposed curve.
Mr. Morton intimates that the
preponderance of good grades could be
interpreted as a "cheap form of bribery to
gain an audience in order to promote a
controversial point of view." This statement
is too absurd to need refutation. This course
is designed, and we constantly try to improve
it, to serve the needs of students not to
prosetelize them to any particular view. Mr.
Morton is however right on one point: that
only an "overly-cynical observer would
arrive at the interpretation he offers. Had he
but invested as much time in talking to the
faculty and to some of the students who have
taken the course recently, as he invested in
copying and tabulating about 275 grades, I
am sure his cynicism would have been cured.
Godfrey M. Hochbaum, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Health Education
School of Public Health
Forum should
balance program
To the editor:
I really must commend the Union Forum
and other campus organizations for the
delightful variety of speakers they provide
us, using mostly our own student fees, of
course. Bobby Seale, I am sure, can be
depended upon to give us a perspective on
the state of the universe entirely removed
from other speakers we've had this year.
Let's see, we've had, or have scheduled
David Brinkley, Ron Dellums, Sam Ervin,
Jane Fonda, George McGovern, Gloria
Steinem,and Gore Vidal. Seale is sure to be a
marked contrast to all these. He'll probably
express confidence in the viability of the
American system of government, tell us how
the lot of minority groups has improved
lately, and give us his reasons why Richard
Nixon should fulfill his term in office.
There simply must be some kind of
pathological fear at this 'liberal' university of
bringing in any speaker to the right of the far
left. (Sam Ervin's appearance is the
exception, but then he was obviously not
brought here when he was just to expound
on his general political philosophy.) The
weak and unsuccessful attempts which the
Union Forum has thus far made to find a
conservative speaker certainly are not yet
significant enough to belie such a fear. The
Forum shouldn't be content with just
breathing a sigh of relief when it finds out
that William Buckley can't come here.
While I admit there is a distinct chance
that the minds of some impressionable
freshmen might be forever warped if exposed
to the thoughts of a conservative speaker, I
think that is just one of the dangers a
university must suffer through, if it wants to
make the pretense of providing its students
with a varied educational experience. If the
Union Forum doesn't realize and act on the
need for a greater variety of perspectives,
then it is abdicating its responsibilities and
wasting our money.
Robert N. Putnam II
Rt. 1A, Chapel Hill
Mem oppressed
more than women
To the editor:
. Bunky Flagler's article in Monday's DTH
refers to the historical role of women as
slaves. Since this is Women's Festival week,
perhaps a rebuttal would be appropriate at
this time.
No one would deny that the average
woman has worked hard throughout history
as housewife, mother, and homemaker. But
then, hard work has always been the lot of
the average man, too. I think the division of
labor was rather fair, each sex doing what it
could do best: men the heavy physical work;
and women taking care of the home and
family. After all, housework, as laborious as
it was, still had to be done by someone, and a
woman was not as physically well-suited to
do a man's heavy labor, especially when she
was pregnant a good deal of the time and
with young children to keep her busy. Men
and women both worked like slaves in those
days because of the technology (or lack of
it) under which they lived.
And don't blame men entirely for the
pregnancies; I; suspect that Historical
Woman did not exactly have an aversion to
sexual affection. Her resulting production of
progeny made just as much work for her
husband as for herself, since he had to
provide for them.
Women's liberation was unfeasible until
the advent of effective contraceptive devices
(invented by men, incidentally). It was also
aided by the development (by men) of home
labor-saving appliances under the stimulus,
not of harping verbal demands by women,
but of the money they had to spend, most of
which was earned by husbands for their
wives' benefit.
If we must speak cf slavery, I contend that
men have historically been more oppressed,
and that by men's work and inventions
women have been given freedom to pursue
love, life, and career in any context they
chose with or without marriage or family.
Another fact supporting this idea of men's
greater oppression is their higher mortality
rates, especially in middle age from
degenerative diseases; they wear themselves
out faster working and competing to support
their wives and families.
The Women's Festival wants to improve
understanding between men and women,
but seemingly only on women's terms. It is
my hope that this letter will establish a better
foundation for this understanding than some
of the distorted historical interpretations
under which the feminists have been
operating interpretations that can only
serve to antagonize men, who, historically,
deserve less contempt. Lynn Wesson's letter
noting that men seem to resent lack of
attention comes close to the point; what they
really resent are the false accusations and the
lack of appreciation.
And if some of the generalizations in this
letter seem simplistic, then they are on a par
with the ones they are opposing.
Mel Morton
106 North Street