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8The Daily Tar Heel Thursday, January 28, 1988 lailu Star Mnl 95th year of editorial freedom Jill Gerber, Editor Amy Hamilton, Managing Editor SALLY PEARSALL, News Editor KRISTEN GARDNER, University Editor KlMBERLY EDENS, University Editor SHARON KEBSCHULL, State and National Editor Leigh ann Mcdonald, cuy Editor MIKE BERARDINO, Sports Editor FEUSA NEURINGER, Business Editor HANNAH DRUM, Features Editor Elizabeth Ellen, Arts Editor Charlotte Cannon, Photography Editor CATHY McHUGH, Omnibus Editor Send Alumni Center south board Walking up the steps by the bank machines Inst semester, students Opinion couldn't miss the signs huge bed sheets vowing to fight the proposed Alumni Center and save the woods near Carmichael dormitory. It looked like a solid protest, but it didn't have much impact: Plans have been submitted and students leading the effort say theyVe given up. But there's no reason they should stop fighting, because neither the Alumni Center nor any other building belongs in the woods by Kenan Stadium. General Alumni Association offi cials say the center could be built without marring the natural beauty of the area. The example of Kenan Stadium, next to which the center would be located, is often cited. It has been so well-incorporated into the woods that it's easy to miss. But the stadium doesn't possess its own parking deck, as the Alumni Center would. Kenan, the only build ing in the woods, is not an eyesore despite its size. Unfortunately, the University's dedication to a pleasant campus has fallen by the wayside. G A A members are fooling themselves if they believe another large building can be crammed into the woods without resorting to cutting down the bulk of the trees. For students who head south every day, the beauty of the area near Kenan makes the walk a little more tolerable. The simple aesthetic value of the woods makes them worth preserving. Only a few natural areas on campus remain: the arboretum, the Forest Theatre area and McCorkle Place. Such areas give UNC its famed beauty, and allow students and alumni to take pride in keeping the campus green. Alumni are a valuable part of UNC, and deserve a center for their activities. But there's no reason their center needs to make natural areas an endangered species. Originally the center was to be built behind the Smith Center. Alumni claim the building is one of their greatest achievements what better place for their center than next door to it. There's plenty of space behind the center, with land removed from the main part of campus but still accessible and potentially attractive. If development of the woods is inevitable, then the Alumni Center may as well go there it would be preferable to a parking lot or a high rise dormitory. But the best option would be not to build there at all. The Bell Tower deserves better The hot question on campus Mon day morning was, "Did you hear what State did to the Bell Tower?" But State didn't do anything to the tower. A handful of vandals, who sadly happen to be N.C. State students, were the only people responsible for UNC's unsolicited redecorating. These students were unusually malicious probably bitter after the drubbing the Wolfpack received Sunday. Past attacks have included painting the streets, Silent Sam or the Old Well, all of which are easier to clean because they're lower to the ground. The vandals also chose paint that is resistant to cleaning, unlike the latex paint used in past raids. If sandblasting is necessary to remove the paint; the Bell Tower would be permanently scarred. School rivalries are healthy. They add excitement to athletics and other intercollegiate competitions, and foster school spirit and pride. And it's fun to taunt those snobby Dookies and ignorant gardeners from State. But vandalism should not become an expression of school spirit. When Duke students paint the Old Well, or State students paint the Bell Tower, and even when Carolina students paint one of the brick build ings at State, they're causing damage that costs money almost $1,000 in the case of the Bell Tower. There's no need to list the projects such money would be better spent on everyone could find other uses for it. The problem is that sophomoric pranks in the name of college rivalry are not only tolerated, but encouraged. They are considered a necessary part of the "college experience." Attacking a rival school is often placed on the honor roll of college memories with all-nighters, road trips and beer runs. The chancellor or the student body president might say a few stern words. After all, it's their job, and it wouldn't be fun to vandalize if no one got upset about it. But the farmer-vandals dismiss such criticism. "Aw, CD. Spangler did it when he was in school." When State students majoring in "cows" visit Chapel Hill to knock over Silent Sam, they win instant celebrity and notoriety. A picture of their work goes in the menu at the Rat. When they watch the news, the anchorman grins at them, reminiscing about his school days. "Oh, those silly college kids!" The answer is not to get roaring drunk, pick up 10 gallons of Carolina Blue paint and visit John Deere Residence Hall, as viscerally satisfying as that may be. With luck, the police will catch the artists and make them pay for damages. At the NCAA conference Dec. 11, Chancellor Fordham cited a growing lack of sportsmanship in collegiate athletics. The would-be shepherds of State have provided him with an excellent example. Matt Bivens The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Writers: Matt Bivens, Brian McCuskey and Laura Pearlman. Editorial Assistants: Gary Greene and David Lagos. Layout: Cara Bonnett, Peter Lineberry and Mandy Spence. News: Kari Barlow, Jeanna Baxter, Laura Bennett, Lydian Bernhardt, Brenda Campbell, Jenny Cloninger, Staci Cox, Laura DiGiano, Carrie Dove, Laura Francis, Lindsay Hayes, Kyle Hudson, Helen Jones, Susan Kauffman, Will Lingo, Barbara Linn, Lynne McClintock, Brian McCollum, Myrna Miller, Rebecca Nesbit, Helle Nielsen, Susan Odenkirchen, Cheryl Pond, Amy Powell, Beth Rhea, Becky Riddick, Mandy Spence, Christopher Sontchi, Laura Summer, William Taggart, Clay Thorp, Jackie Williams and Amy Winslow. Mark Folk and Justin McGuire, senior writers. Juliellen Sarvcr, wire editor. Brian Long, assistant business editor. Sports: Chris Spencer and Jim Muse, assistant sports editors. James Surowiecki, senior writer. Robert D'Arruda, Steve Giles, Dave Glenn, Dave Hall, Clay Hodges, Brendan Mathews, Patton McDowell, Keith Parsons, Andy Podolsky and Langston Wertz. Features: Laura Jenkins, Jim Mock, Corin Ortlam, Leigh Pressley, Kathy Wilson and Julie Woods. Arts: James Barrus, senior writer. Scott Cowen, Stephanie Dean, Kim Donehower, David Hester, Julie Olson, Kelly Rhodes, Alston Russell and Richard Smith. Photography: Christie Blom, Tony Deifell, Janet Jarman, David Minton, Elizabeth Morrah and Julie Stovall. Copy Editors: Karen Bell and Kaarin Tisue, assistant news editors. Cara Bonnett, Carrie Burgin, Julia Coon, Whitney Cork, Bert Hackney, Lisa Lorentz and Sherry Miller. Cartoonists: Jeff Christian and Greg Humphreys. , Campus Calendar: Mindelle Rosenberg and David Starnes. Business and Advertising: Anne Fulcher, general manager; Patricia Glance, advertising director; Joan Worth, advertising coordinator; Peggy Smith, advertising manager; Sheila Baker, business manager; Michael Benfield, Lisa Chorebanian, Ashley Hinton, Kellie McElhaney, Chrissy Mennitt, Stacey Montford, Lesley Renwrick, Julie Settle, Dave Slovensky, Dean Thompson, Amanda Tilley and Wendy Wegner, advertising representatives; Stephanie Chesson, classified advertising representative; and Kris Carlson, secretary. Distribution: 7 ucker Stevens, manager. Delivery: David Econopouly, manager; Billy Owens, assistant. Production: Bill Leslie and Stacy Wynn. Rita Galloway, Leslie Humphrey, Stephanie Locklear and Tammy Sheldon, production assistants. Printing: The Chapel Hill Newspaper. Headers' Fora mm U.S. should take close look at itself Three recent letters in the DTH one on contra aid and two on Mikhail Gorbachev give cause to reflect. One author claims that forsaking the "freedom fighters" in Nicaragua would translate ultimately into an invasion across the Rio Grande. The impeccable logic of Soviet expansionism, after all, requires it. Both the remaining authors claim we can't trust Gorbachev neither his interview with Brokaw, his recent visit, nor his new book. Gorbachev's statements can't be taken at face value. He is merely a new Soviet breed, a clever and sophis ticated propagandist, a kind of ideological wolf in sheep's clothing. These authors can bypass the complex ities of 75 years of Soviet economic, political and cultural history because they have drawn a direct line with the original Marxist texts that proclaim the ideal of world domination. These are the books which really lie beneath Gorbachev's pillow at night. Practicing the kind of "relativism" these authors deplore means taking a long look at our own society and the logic which compels it, especially in foreign policy. These authors, however, go the opposite direction, thereby displaying a practice symptomatic of conservative thought: the unceasing outward glance. Afghanistan, Poland, Cuba and other Soviet abuses are traced to the original and supreme logic of communist domination. And there is no shortage of opportunities claiming to express outrage at the lack of political freedoms in the U.S.S.R. and its client states. Of course, these same authors seem incapable of turning their glances to examine similar abuses by our own great polity. In Vietnam, Chile, Grenada and Nicaragua, any and all abuse of a native Bradley Levinson Guest Writer people's rights to self-determination is justified in the name of some abstract "freedom" or "democracy." Just don't let them know that our democracy will bring hunger, crime and the denigration of human values into commodities. The question is whether we can afford not to look at ourselves. Can we afford not to admit that the expansionist logic of our own capitalist system, with its growth quotas and dependence on foreign markets, compels us, as well, toward a kind of world domination? And can we afford not to see the history of our own threats and incursions, our perennial naval and air superiority over a beleaguered Soviet state, as producing actions which may be based as much on defensive as on offensive grounds? Leaders of nations will attempt to further their political and economic interests and will engage in various manipulative power plays to do so. Nations will also build myths of their own super iority and ideologies of their righteousness to justify such power plays. But we needn't be dupes ourselves. We can have the courage and intelligence to look critically at our own society and admit that our real problems of inequality, homelessness, hunger, racism, sexism, etc., are not worthy of exportation, let alone "democratic" praise. Likewise, we can look critically at the Soviet Union and admit that while it has solved some of our problems, other problems such as a lack of political freedom, shortages of goods, bureaucratic elitism, sexism and racism remain. Critical intelligence looks both ways and maintains the value of human life in any corner of the political arena. It is only when we look exclusively outward that we blind ourselves to our own shortcomings and find it easy to justify even the most ruthless means of military and political intervention. Some will accuse me of selling out, of being a self-willed dupe of the KGB, of not loving my country. To such accusers, I cannot respond. They have lost their critical capacity. As to others who will listen, I say give Gorbachev and Nicaragua a chance. Gorbachev is grappling with a difficult Soviet legacy and is moving toward creating conditions for a lasting peace. Many who know the Soviet political mind well believe Gorbachev represents a significant change in Soviet outlook and policy. Nicaragua must be given the chance it has never had to prove itself capable of peaceful, democratic governance. Remember that our great country incar cerated thousands of Japanese-Americans during a war in which our borders were never seriously threatened. How can we expect Nicaragua to give full freedom of movement and expression when it is under a state of siege? Belligerent neighbors and economic devastation date from the triumph of the Sandinista revolution, and unless and until these conditions are alleviated, we will never know the revo lution's true promise. Idealistic? Hopeful? We can be these at the same time as we can be realistic and politically skeptical. Certainly, we should love our country, but even more, humanity. Bradley Levinson is a graduate in anthropology from Van Nuys, Calif. Congress is fair enough To the editor: The Jan. 26 board opinion, "Bill necessary for fair debate," represented a well-intended effort to ensure protection of minority groups when sub jected to funding scrutiny. We agree that Student Congress members should evaluate the programs and contributions of the group, not the private lives of individuals. The board was also correct in its assertion that the prohibition of discrimina tion would not affect congress members' right to debate. As compared to other editorials regarding congress' affairs, it was one of the best, but it wasn't any good. If the "discrimination against an organization" does not pertain to debate, then to what does it pertain? A congress member does basically three things at a meeting: think (at least most members do), debate and vote. If discrimination does not apply to debate, then it must apply to thinking and or voting. Determining the thoughts of a congress member in alleging discrimination is Orwellian and impossible. Now we must turn to voting as a form of discrimination. The text would not even, allow special consideration for perse cuted minorities in efforts to ensure their funding. Congress members must be guaranteed that their votes, either yes or no, will not be subjectively construed and considered dis criminatory. This judgment lies with the Ethics Committee because the congress does not possess the authority to render such a decision. The editorial erroneously stated that the congress does not follow the same non discrimination policy as all other University-recognized student organizations. The congress does not discriminate with regard to its membership on the basis of race, creed, sex, sexual preference, national Part X: the tale of sir dan of seebeA-eis i-r's -JUST A WW- r ji-' -D tSP'JLiSF - V6 -J HELL BITE YeR "EAD OFF.' origin or handicap. This policy only pertains to composition of an organization, not to the purposes, programs or actions of the organization itself. The congress members were certainly responsible in consid ering and deciding the fate of such a serious proposal. We hope that the DTH will strive to be just as responsible in forming and stating opinions in its editorials. ROB FRIEDMAN Senior Political Science Economics JODY BEASLEY Junior Business Flag symbolizes Southern pride To the editor: As pointed out recently by editorialist Matt Bivens (" 'Stars and Bars' belongs to past," Jan. 25), the NAACP has once again set its sights on abolishing the flying of the Confederate flags over the statehouses of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. We, being Sou therners, one of us a South Carolinian, would like to shed light on this matter. Bivens has fallen into the same old argument that the "Stars and Bars" is a symbol of racism and bigotry. True, various white supremacist groups choose to carry the Confederate flag to their meet ings and rallies. However, it should be noted that Christian crosses and the "Stars and Stripes" are used as well. Should we also begin to view these items as symbols of prejudice and racial hatred? The Civil War has often been misconstrued as a war over slavery. In fact, the struggle was over states' rights vs. federal dominance. Several other inac curacies also surfaced in the editorial. First, George Wallace's last bid for the Alabama governor ship can be attributed largely to substantial black support rather than a strictly white electorate. Second, as we have understood it, the waving of the bloody shirt during Recon struction was initiated by rad ical Republican politicians in Washington in an attempt to subdue and control the South. This went on for many years, and directly contributed to the development of strong South ern pride and unity. Each culture has symbols which are important in keeping its heritage alive. Any group can choose to misrepresent these symbols (for example, the KKK traditionally burns crosses). The true meaning and representation of these sym bols, including the "Stars and Bars," should not be clouded by the conflicts surrounding them today. The Confederate flag flying in the South should not be seen as a symbol of racial hatred. Rather, it is a way the new South can proudly remember its rich heritage and independent spirit. SUNDAY SPINN Junior Business Administration LEONARD EMORY Junior Business Administration Letters policy The Daily Tar Heel welcomes reader comments, ideas and criticisms. B All letters must be typed, double-spaced on a 60-space line, for ease of editing. A maximum of 250 words is optimal. ACC schools paint UNC campus clean To the editor: How good it is to be a Tar Heel! Attention is flattering, and we sit atop the attention scale in the Atlantic-Coast Conference. As I strolled past the Bell Tower this past rainy Monday, I couldn't help noticing that throughout the years of standing as a symbol of excellence, it has weathered considerably. Upon closer examination, I noticed that a special project was under way. It seems as though some clever, aspiring, young cow breeders from the technical school in Raleigh decided to get that old Bell Tower cleaned up as a favor to all of us from all of them. Isn't that special! Late last Saturday night while I was sporting a mild buzz and listening to U2 before a blazing fireplace, these thoughtful engineers had put away their Lincoln logs and ridden side-saddle over here in the wee hours of the morning to proceed with their project. Their efforts, of course, were typical of poor planning and execution. They evi dently ran blind-folded around the Bell Tower with carefully canned (mason jarred) red paint that had been saved for their new barn. Of course, their intentions were noble. They were trying their best to somehow get that darned big clock cleaned. To those dynamic little engineers now fighting colds, 1 say thanks: It's soon to be sparkling clean. As 1 look foward to a clean Bell Tower, I have to also thank the Dookies for getting our mikeman's speaker system repaired for next year. They were nice enough to cut up the cord during the football game with a stone fashioned into a sharp object. We must also not forget to thank the gang at Clemson that hitchhiked all the way here from somewhere in the other Carolina to paint our stadium. Not only was it darn clean for the big game, but we took the, hint and are furnishing the stadium witht more seats and new skyboxes. We sometimes seem as though we don't care because we don't plan many creative, projects for your schools. How true, but' we do appreciate all the attention, and we' do enjoy the clean Bell Tower, Old Well and stadium. It is up to us to sit back,l revel in your envy, and watch our team work yours over on the way to a cham-1 pionship season. Thanks anyway, and as a hint, the front of Wilson Library is clean, but the sides could use some soaping. See- what you can do. ROBERT TEMPLE; Senior-, Political Science. i
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Jan. 28, 1988, edition 1
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