Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / April 20, 1983, edition 1 / Page 8
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8The Daily Tar HeelWednesday, April 20. 1983 I R TOT HPT 1 1 Jiy JL1 Abolish D Co OR 91st year of editorial freedom Kerry DeRochi, Editor ALISON DAVIS, Managing Editor LISA PULLEN, University Editor CHRISTINE MANUEL, Slate and National Editor MIKE DeSISTI, Sports Editor BILL RiEDY, News Editor JEFF HlDAY, Associate Editor John Conway, aty Editor KAREN FISHER, Featura Editor Jeff Grove, Am Editor CHARLES W. LEDFORD, Photography Editor Student Government supports Garrow Solomon says In tlje late 1950s, when the first federal programs were initiated, students receiving financial aid were required to take an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. During the 1960s, students convicted of "substan tial disruptions" during demonstrations could be denied this aid. ; It's now the 1980s, and we've come a long way. Backward. The Solomon Amendment, passed by Congress in September 1982 and scheduled to go into effect at UNC beginning July 1, insists that all -students born after 1960 complete a compliance form confirming their draft registration before they can receive federal financial aid. Like the guidelines of the '50s and '60s, the new amendment raises questions con cerning the appropriate relationship between educational opportunity and political propriety. It also confines the aid recipient's freedom of speech and thought. Unlike its less restrictive predecessors, however, the new amendment discriminates against certain groups in society and comes into direct conflict with the Fifth Amendment. Perhaps most evident among the amendment's many injustices is its in herent discriminatory measures. Since only men presently are required to register for the draft, only male students risk losing financial aid. Especially burdened by the new amendment are students with financial difficulties. While students who can afford their own educations will have the freedom of finances to protest against the draft or simply forget to register, students needing federal aid will be denied that right. Moreover, the legality of the Solomon Amendment is questionable. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Minnesota Interest Group have filed suit in a Minnesota state court against the amendment. They claim it leads to self-mcrimination, thus violating the Fifth Amendment. Implicit in the government's requirement of draft registration is an at tempt to coerce members of society. One of the most powerful influences possessed by a citizen in this country, a supposed bastion of free speech, is the tool of protest. By threatening to withdraw financial support from a student on the basis of his political views, the government is bribing its needy citizens in a backhanded fashion. And the bribe would succeed. At present, roughly 9,000 UNC students receive some kind of financial aid; 7,500 of those students are receiving that aid from the federal government. That kind of government support could never be replaced by private sources. Should the lawsuit sagainstthe Solomon Amendment fail, a gross in justice will have been enacted. The Department of Education and the Selective Service System, both of which support the amendment, will make the good will of the government toward its less fortunate citizens contingent upon the silent obedience of those citizens. While higher education will be teaching students to formulate and support their own informed opinions, those same students may be subordinating their political beliefs in order to obtain that education. To the editor: " The political science department's re cent decision not to rehire Associate Pro fessor David Garrow has presented Stu dent Government with both a challenge and an opportunity. A challenge in that Garrow' s dismissal is, in our opinion, clearly contrary to the best interests of the University; an opportunity to establish a formal Student Government position on questions of hiring and rehiring, teaching vs. research, and tenure. Although Stu dent Government has always taken an ac tive interest in these issues, no policy guidelines have been established, and it is Pulitzer pride For the fifth time'in the history of the Pulitzer, a North Carolina news paper won the coveted prize. This year it was the News and Observer, the category, distinguished commentary. The award has been a long time coming to the 57-year-old Claude Sit ton, who has been with the News and Observer since 1968. Before joining the Raleigh staff as an editorial director, Sitton was' national editor of The New York Times. There he had gained national fame by covering the Civil Rights Movement, spending seven years in the South. He was called "one of the greatest reporters The New York Times ever had." Sitton's Pulitzer is in recognition of 10 columns he wrote in 1982 cover ing topics ranging from the "plunder" of North Carolina's natural heritage to the "encore of Dixie demagoguery." His entry was one of 156 in the category. The awarding of the Pulitzer to a newspaper within the state reflects on the journalistic quality across North Carolina as well as on the News and Observer, which now ranks alongside The New York Times and the Washington Post, taking two awards apiece. North Carolina journalists can pat their own backs and know that they too can produce award winning material without being a nationally circulated newspaper. As Sitton recognized, it's the combined effort within a newspaper which produces Pulitzer winners. He attributed his success to all of his co-workers, saying "There can be no good commentary without good . reporting, and without the cooperative effort of all the people who work at this newspaper.' The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Desk: Frank Bruni and Kelly Simmons, writers; Jonathan Talcott, staff columnist Assistant Managing Editors: Pete Felkner, Lisbeth Lcvine, Melissa Moore and Eddie Wooten ' Special Projects: Mark Ancona and Keith Bradsher News: Tracy Adams, Cheryl Anderson, Pete Austin, Joseph Berryhill, Ashley Blackwelder, J. Bonasia, Joel Broadway, Paul Cocke, Tom Cordon, Kate Cooper, Ashley Dimmette, Lisa Do wis, Charles Ellmaker, Suzanne Evans, Katherine Farley, Bonnie Foust, Sherri . Goodson, Julie Haack, John Hackney, Ivy Hillard, Kevin Johnston, Bob Kimpletpn, Kim Kleman, Rita Kostecke, Susan Kuhn, Stuart Long, Eugene Marx, Gary Meek, Karen Moore, Kim Morrison, Thad Ogburn, Ellen Orahood, Rosemary Osborn, Heidi Owen, David Poole, Sarah Raper, Sharon Rawlins, Mike O'Reilly, Mont Rogers, Lynsley Rollins, . Cindi Ross, Mike Sharsky, Lori Schantz, Sharon Sheridan, Jodi Smith, Don Solomon, James Stephens, Mark Stinneford, Susan Sullivan, Carrie Szymeczek, Amy Tanner, Keith Taylor, Lynda Thompson, Stuart Tonkinson, Michael Toole, Perry Twisdale, Beth Walters, Mickey Weaver, Scott Wharton and Lynda Wolf. Liz Lucas, assistant University editor, Hope Buffington, assistant state and national editor. Sports: Frank Kennedy and Kurt Rosenberg, assistant sports editors. Glenna Bun-ess, Paul Gardner, Lonnie McCullough, Draggan Mihailovich, Kathy Norcross, Robyn Norwood, Michael Persinger, Lew Price, S.L. Price, Lee Roberts, Allen Dean Steele, Mike Waters and Tracy Young. ' . Features: Debbie August; Dan Bishop, Dawn Brazell, Toni Carter, Michelle Chris tenbury, Tom Camacho, Tom Grey, Cindy Haga, Kathy Hopper, Dana Jackson, Warren Miller, Mitzi Morris, Jane Osment, Stevie Roe, Debbi Sykes, Randy Walker, Clinton Weaver and Edith Wooten, Mike Truell, assistant features editor. Arts: David Schmidt, assistant arts editor; John Altschuler, Steve Carr, Jim Clardy, Todd . Davis, David McHugh, Jo Ellen Meekins, Karen Rosen, Gigi Sonner and D.F. Wilson. Graphic Arts: Jamie Francis, Jeff Neuville, Zane Saunders, Scott Sharpe, Al Steele and Lori Thomas photographers. Dick Anderson, Greg Calibey, Cabell Finch, Doug Hilburn, An thony Moses and Janice Murphy, artists. . t Business: Rejcanne V. Caron, business manager; Anne Sink, assistant business manager, Linda A. Cooper, secretaryreceptionist; Dawn Welch, circulationdistribution manager; Patti Pittman and Angie Wolfe, classifieds. Advertising: Paula Brewer, advertising manager; Mike Tabor, advertising coordinator; Sharon Duckworth, Keith Lee, Terry Lee, Jeff McElhaney, Doug Robinson, Deana Sctzer and Maria Zablocki ad representatives. Composition: UNC-CH Printing Department Printing: Hinton Press, Inc. of Mebane. , the hope of this administration that through adopting a concrete stance in this case it will set a precedent for future ad ministrations. -. It is our firm belief that in questions of this nature, teaching must take precedence over research and the vague criterion of "service to the department." In Garrow' s case, all the evidence seems to support reappointment, and we request that Chair man Prothro reverse his decision. Through letters to Chancellor Fordham, Dean' Moreau and Prothro, Student Govern ment urges the administration to respect its own position on this issue (which places a One fine Chapel Hill party -To the editor: Of all things, we never expected snow. After all the obstacles the Chapel Thrill, oops, Carolina Concert for Children Com mittee has faced this year funding crises, little time, name changes, you name it we never even considered snow. We sat in the tiny office we share with the Elections Board on Monday, stared out at the flakes and somebody finally asked, "Do you think rain insurance would cover this?" But not even a freak April blizzard could squelch our high hopes and en thusiasm. As the big event in Kenan Stadium gets ever closer, we get more ex cited at the prospect of this concert becom ing a reality. This idea to have a benefit concert with four very different, but equal ly talented and innovative, bands is one we all believe in, every bit as much as we did last fall when Chairman Ben Lee proposed it. The student support has been there all along. From the thousands of petition signatures to the big block seat response, the UNC campus has said loud and clear, "We want this concert." And Saturday, we're going to get it. U2 will be making the premiere ap pearance of its American tour. The energy and fresh talent of this band has won them international critical praise. Bruce Springs teen says its one of his favorite new bands. We can't wait. Todd Rundgren will play North Carolina for the first time in 10 years this Saturday. For those who said, "Who is Todd Rundgren?? we pass along a few ex cerpts from the autobiography he sent us. ((Yes, he really wrote it.) "Born in Philadelphia . . . attended Westbrook Park Elementary School, severely alienated the principal, Ms. Cornfield. At tended Upper Darby Senior High dis covered Beatles, grew long hair, grew bored, bought mail-order Japanese electric guitar, lost guitar in bus station. . . . Began recording solo albums, became more com mercial, became more successful, became less commercial, became less successful, became a fixture through further produc tions." Top these two talented acts with two more great groups The Producers and Grandmaster Flash, and you've got quite a show. Not to mention some of the side at tractions of the day, like our dunking booth where you can soak such campus celebrities as our very own Kevin Monroe, student body president, and a couple of Tar Heel basketball superstars (you'll have to come to find out who!) and jugglers and banners and balloons and the flower ladies and ... well, it's going to be one fine Chapel Hill party in the sun. That is, of course, if it doesn't snow. Jennifer Cresimore Publicity Chairman The need for labor laws To the editor: In 1865, slavery ended in America. But even today, over 100 years later, the legacy of racial cascrimination continuing from it has not disappeared. In addition, the economic and political disparity that create the conditions for the "black struggle" is far from perishing. For these reasons, I feel that Burke's critique of the DTH's stand on "Lax Labor Laws" (April 7) is extremely short-sighted. It is very surprising that Burke and the people supporting his ideology tend to overlook the fact that it was only in the late 1950s when blacks were first permit ted to enroll in predominantly white universities in the South. (This was less than a generation ago!) This implies that between the time of emancipation and the 1950s, blacks did not have access to the higher quality education, that many southern white universities could offer. The blacks that did seek their educations at predominantly black institutions hav ing under-specialized programs and lack ing sufficient fiuiding for sustenance would consequently have a more narrow spectrum of job opportunities than their white counterparts. And how about the many blacks who couldn't afford to go to these predominantly black institu tions? Their spectrum of job oppor tunities became even further narrowed. Accepting rninimum wage labor as their "careers," how could they afford to send their children to college? Many couldn't. So, their children, like themselves, would have to spend their lives working on assembly lines. What plaques black socie- 4 ty is a vicious cycle, revolving around the face that it takes money to make money. But, the initial capital .that it takes to get an education has not always been there. Thus, the "preferential treatment" resulting from the stagnation of the Civil Rights Act is, in fact, warranted. Burke's assertion that the DTH criticism of the relaxation of labor laws is "fatally flawed" shows poor and hyper bolic word choice and is not in the least substantiated in t the letter. But the weakest point in Burke's argument is his assertion that -'The Constitution guarantees the rights of individuals, not groups." Remember that this same docu ment was in existence when the govern ment restricted the rights of a group, namely black Africans, despite their so called individuality. , I cannot say, in good conscience, that Burke's motives stem from prejudices. But it is this type of short-sighted and rjolitically autistic ideology that will Jceep black achievement at a minimum. For that reason, I term it racist despite its ra tionalizations and the ignorance of cultural differences from which they may stem. , Instead of relaxing labor laws, our government should strengthen them. This would, in turn afford more blacks the op portunity for success in competitive capitalist society. Along with this finan cial success, I believe that political parity ; will follow, but certainly not in a genera tion. ' ; Harvey Jenkins Chapel Hill . JA . Lti lift - V mm s .set- j v ' .mjvr premium on teaching quality) by rehiring Garrow. Kevin Monroe Student Body President Mark Scurria Chairman, Educational Policy and Procedures Committee i , - . Divestment To the editor: Divestment? We know the issue; The South African government is deplored worldwide for the heinous treatment of its black citizens. Virtually no one is fooled by the ineffective token reforms that the South African government institutes to legitimize its policies. Increasingly, people are beginning to oppose the practices of the racist government and United States collaboration. We are taught as children that our government was founded on the ideals of peace, justice and freedom. American corporate presence, however, does not constitute a progressive force, in South Africa committed to these ideals. Rather, it serves only to prey on the misfortune of the oppressed black South Africans. : Now it's our turn to act. The general consensus among all individuals is that human suffering is vehemently intolerable. It almost goes without saying that South Africa is a blatant example of unnecessary human suffering. This fact alone has generated a large popular movement throughout America, of which UNC has just become part. Ask your friends at Har-, vard, Yale, the University of California at ' Berkeley and the University of Wisconsin at Madison , where divestment attempts have been successful. , A rally has been called this Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in front of the Carolina Inn to show student support for divestment from South Africa. The Board of Trustees will be meeting then to decide on whether or not to divest its holdings from companies ' doing business in South Africa. We can only hope that the Trustees will give full consideration to the 2,600 students who signed the divestment petition and the 3,300 students who voted for the divest ment referendum. I urge those of you who have already supported divestment in these ways to show your concern a third time. And for those of you who have not par ticipated in the struggle yet, here's your chance. Take an hour from your day. It may heV to get the University's in vestments out of companies in South Africa forever. .. Erica Caldwell - Chapel Hill Those who serve To the editor: Phil Bridges' suggestion to "ax some employees" from the Pine Room because of perceived attitude problems ("Pine Room greeting usually more like a threat," DTHf April 7) is ludicrous and should be examined more carefully. In this society, there is a gaping chasm separating those who serve and those who are served. Bridges evidently identifies with the latter and feels annoyed because the Pine Room service is not up to his stan dards. Perhaps hes could have the maid pack him a nice lunch of watercress, and he wouldn't have to deal with the laboring class at all.' But since this may not be an option, some understanding is in order. Attitude is usually a function of environment. In this case, it could well be that those workers have to deal with students whose soft hands have never scrubbed a dish other than their own or have never tried to please a demanding boss. Why should they be expected to attempt to make those students' day bright? The grounds for communication do not exist without some effort. When dealing with a bus boy, line per son, waitress or cashier anywhere, remember that you are not their only cus tomer, that they have duties other than dealing directly with you, that the work is long and the pay is low. Above alU don't assume that their occupation makes them subordinate to you. ; r . ' : Pam Burwell - : Chapel Hill Affirmative Action By CHARLES I. ELLER Why don't we do America a favor and abolish Affirmative Ac tion? We need to because it is one of the great injustices of our time. No one is going to deny that blacks have been mistreated in the past, but to try and correct that with laws that give job preferences, admission preferences and other quotas to blacks , and other- minorities is reverse discrimination. The bottom line is that two wrongs don't make a right. : . In Boston last week, some white firemen were fired in order to meet Affirmative Action ' quotas. Some of these men had been working there for 13 years, and the city law stated that the "last hired, first fired." But in an unwarranted in trusion on states' rights, the federal government said that they had to be fired and replaced with black fire: men with only one or two years of experience. In the mayoral election in Chicago, racism was injected into the campaign from both sides. Somehow, the media portrayed Ep ton as the culprit and called white , voters racist. In other words, when blacks band together it's called pro gress; when whites band together it's called racism. Just who do they , think they're kidding? . Liberal-minded groups such as the media and liberal-minded in dividuals such as college professors will try to justify these injustices. They don't realize that this violates the very laws they helped to create. You and I do, so let's not let them insult our intelligence. However, there is a bright spot to all of this. White people compose about 81 percent of the U.S. popu lation and almost the same percen tage of the electorate. We have im mense political power and can elect congressmen and senators to repeal these "laws." All we have to do is vote. ' - So remember, don't get fired be cause you are white and don't let people call you a racist because you don't advocate Affirmative Action. People should be hired and admit ted to universities j according to merit; not according to skin color. Also, just remember that conserva tives, whether Republican or Demo crat, are the true protectors of liber ty and individual rights; fake liberals are not. Charles L EUer is a junior indus trial relations major from States ville. : Working To the editor: Jim Wrinn's column on his summer job ("A summer with the 'other hair," DTH, April 1 1), left me with mixed feel ing. Like him, I have spent a summer at back-breaking ' labor under unpleasant ' conditions. I washed dishes in a nursing home, which is much more difficult than in a restaurant, because hospital plates weigh about four times as much. , My fellow workers, ranging in age from 20 to well over 50, also had no hope for a better position in life, But should it be some awe-inspiring revelation that the people, who work with their backs and their hands and their sweat are just as human as those who will work with their brains? I think not. I also resent the im plication that he is superior to those who have not undergone such an ordeal for a short period of time. Not everyone leads the life of a disinterested preppie, even here at Carolina. J , " Sheryl L. Graham ; - ' Craige' N.G.'s overburdened prison system By ANNA NEAL BLANCHARD For two years, Judge Willis P. Whichard's Citizens' Commission on Alternatives to Incarceration has been studying overcrowding in the North Carolina prison system and possible solutions to the problem. Last fall, the 20-member panel of judges, attorneys, ex-prisoners, criminal justice professionals and legislators (including ' Joe Hackney of Chapel Hill) released its findings and pro posals. I commend the thoughtful proposals and support the various bills soon to be introduced in the Legislature embodying them. The commission's report suggests several alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders, e.g., court ordered payment of restitution to victims, community ser vice work orders requiring offenders to work for non profit community agencies and mandatory participation in programs for drug abuse. ' ; If enacted, bills providing for such alternatives to in carceration will achieve several important' goals. First, by keeping non-violent offenders out of prison, the alter natives will help alleviate the problem of overcrowding. Currently, North Carolina has the third highest incarcera tion rate in the country, though North Carolina's crime rate is among the 15 lowest in the country. Since 1970, North Carolina's prison population has grown from 9,603 to 17,400; the system currently houses 17.5 percent more prisoners than it was designed to hold. ' Second, by reducing the number of offenders in prison, the proposals will reduce the taxpayers' heavy cost of in carceration. The average cost of incarceration is $9,500 per inmate per year. Though the state has appropriated more than $1 10 million since 1975 for prison construction, the Department of Corrections has projected that by 1987, the state will have to spend an additional $324 million on prison construction to adequately meet the needs of the rapidly expanding prison population. The current cost of building one cell is $54,000! Even the most expensive alternative programs can be operated at costs well below these incarceration figures. Third, the victim; society and the offender will benefit from alternatives allowing the offender to continue work ing in the community. One alternative would require the offender to work to pay for damages suffered by his vic tim. Another would require the pf tender to pay oft his debt to society by working a certain number of hours in constructive community service. Allowing the offender to continue to work outside the prison walls will enable him to defray family financial obligations, thereby enhancing family stability. Finally, keeping non-violent offenders out of prison through such alternatives will keep them from the well documented destructive influences of the violent or "pro fessional criminals." The commission's proposals should not summarily be dismissed with the popular rhetoric of "getting tough on crime to ensure the safety of the community." Since the commission's proposals deal only with alternatives to in carceration for non-violent offenders, they do not threaten community safety. Now, before the problems of prison overcrowding and huge construction costs run away from us, is the time for the Legislature to enact these economical, safe and humane proposals. 'A nna Ncal Blanchard is a second-year law student from Raleigh.
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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April 20, 1983, edition 1
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