8The Daily Tar HeelMonday, April 16, 1990
T,
98th year of editorial freedom
Jessica Lanning and Kelly Thompson, Editors
JENNY CloNINCER, University Editor NANCY WykLE, University Editor
Jennifer Wing, Forum Editor
Crystal Bernstein, Opinion Editor
STACI Cox, State and National Editor
CHERYL ALLEN, Features Editor
ALISA DeMao, Omnibus Editor
PETE CORSON, Cartoon Editor
JoANN RODAK, News Editor
ERIK DALE FLIPPO, Design Coordinator
Cameron Tew, City Editor
MYRNA MILLER, Features Editor
Jamie Rosenberg, sports Editor
EVAN ElLE, Photography Editor
STEVE WILSON, News Editor
MeLANIE BLACK, Layout Editor
TV
James Claude Benton, Ombudsman
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Exercising money
Education needs Rams Club's funds
' 'Mover Smith, executive vice president
of the Educational Foundation (read: the
Rams Club, the sports booster here at UNC),
admitted in a Raleigh News and Observer
article Saturday that the club takes respon
sibility solely for athletics, not academics.
"Tjiat's been our mission from day one, to
take care of the young people and provide
the scholarships." In this age of the budget
crunch, perhaps now is the time to really
take care of the young people. Academi
cally. Smith purports, however, to be waiting
for hard times, when the club and the
University are going to need the club's
extensive funds. "Because the rainy day is
going to come," he says. "It always does."
Well, the budget-cut monsoon has come,
and the University needs that money
any money at this moment. With the
General Assembly reporting a $400 mil
lion shortage in revenues, Chancellor Paul
Hardin easily predicts another grim fiscal
year of financial woes with no relief in
sight.
In an audit that UNC-system president
CD. Spangler publicized, the Rams Club
reported that it is worth a blinding $36.5
million. On the flip side, the UNC-CH
Foundation, Inc. the main fund-raising
arm of the University which finances
undergraduate scholarships, graduate fel
lowships, library acquisitions and visiting
professorships has a net worth of $33.3
million. Granted, other academic founda
tions on this campus combined raise far
more money than the Rams Club, but in
this time of budget crisis, athletics cer
tainly can be put on hold. . ....
: '.TheRams Club has made only modest
contributions to the academic community.
It contributed $100,000 to the Alumni
Center (if that can be considered academic),
$5.0,000 to help endow a professorship and
$50,000 for research papers. Considering
.that its contributions exceed expenditures
by nearly 10 percent, certainly the club can
spare money for the young people.
Ironically, the club spends its money on
improving the student athletic facilities on
campus, which not only improves and
enhances the campus, but also improves
and enhances the morale of the students,
faculty, administration and alumni who
attend sporting events in aesthetically
pleasing, modem facilities. If the club is
morale-oriented, then why not also con
tribute to the academic morale of the Uni
versity students? Angry and frustrated
students can only complain that they will
have to take exams on overhead projec
tors, that they cannot print their resumes on
campus laser printers and that they have
access to limited number of bound vol
umes of magazines in their research.
Academically destitute and depressed
students who have lost faith in the aca
demic community, yet see millions of
dollars invested in their athletic facilities,
will eventually lose interest and bear
grudges against the athletic side of the
University: Simply, low morale spreads
like disease, and when the money vaccine
exists to slow its pace, it would be money
well-spent. And the Rams Club has plenty
of the money vaccine available.
Yes, the Rams Club's should continue
to support athletics and "take care of the
young people and provide scholarships.
At this time, however, it needs to realize
that support for the young people means
providing them with professors who can
photocopy exams, laser printer cartridges
for printing and bound magazine volumes
for research. The club can not only help
those who it directly supports, the athletes,
but it can also, help. the whole University
community, which comes to watch those
athletes. Ip a time when that community
perceives the Rams Club as a miserly
money-making enterprise, it can seize this
opportunity to turn that image around. And
before the whole University drowns in the
monsoon of budget woes and low morale.
Jessica Lanning
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5 IGWIZy. L
SEAMS' FORUM
Spreading the word just spreads angef
KKK liberties
Racist group deserves rights
" 'They symbolize the late-night lynch
ings. Images of cross-burnings are remem
bered at the sight. They represent igno
Tance, violence and fear. The Ku Klux
; Klan hood and mask have long been the
! organization's official outfit, representing
; everything sordid about humans. But KKK
; members have a right to wear them, and
' denying this right infringes upon their
; constitutionally guaranteed protection of
! freedom of speech.
! . ..The First Amendment gives everybody
; the freedom of speech. But a 1952 law
5 enacted in Georgia has limited this free-
dom by restricting expression of the KKK.
; When originally passed in Georgia's legis
! lature, the law meant to help terminate the
j KKK by banning the wearing of masks or
"hoods in public. This purpose was laud
able trying to destroy self-proclaimed
hate groups, especially during the racially
volatile 1950s, was a necessary step in the
fight for civil liberties. However, Georgia
lawmakers, during their valiant attempt,
seemed to ignore an integral section of the
Constitution: the First Amendment.
Surprisingly, this law is only now being
contested in court by Klan member Shade
. Miller, who defied the restriction by wear-
ing the mask in public. If convicted, Miller
could spend a year in jail and pay a $ 1000
. fine. But Miller has some help from an
:" American Civil Liberties Union member,
"Michael Hauptman, who has privately
agreed to defend his case. Although the
ACLU as an organization is not publicly
supporting Miller, this private assistance
r''should be considered a serious statement.
Undoubtedly, Hauptman views the rac-
' ist and bigoted background of the KKK as
disgusting. But he nevertheless has
. . searched beyond his own feelings against
.the Klan to represent the ideals of the First
: Amendment. Georgia lawmakers defend
' the validity of the 1952 law by describing
the mask as "a symbol of decades of vio
lence and terrorism." But Hauptman cor
rectly states that because the First Amend
ment is vague, the state has no basis for its
law. Anonymous protesting, as practiced
by the KKK via the masks and hoods, is not
restricted in the First Amendment. While
the state should condemn the violence
related to the Klan, it does not have any
reason to deny the organization opportuni
ties to voice its opinion in more peaceful
manners such as marches and costume
wearing.
Governments trying to single out groups
for their beliefs is not unprecedented. A
similar confrontation arose in North Caro
lina with the state's Adopt-A-Highway
program. A Klan group wished to join the
program but was turned away by the state
because of the negative image it would
cast on the program. As in the Georgia
situation, the government overstepped its
boundaries by determining which groups
are acceptable and which are not. The furor
over the controversial Robert Mapple-
thorpe art exhibition has encouraged the
question concerning government-subsi
dized art. Again, the government is faced
with deciding whether it has a mandate by
the people to prohibit questionable activi
ties and expressions. As democracy dic
tates, people are too different for one body
to make such decisions.
Although many people disagree with
the KKK's activities, the Constitution is
meant to defend minorities. The mask and
hood of the KKK do inspire fear and
memories of racial and religious hatred
and violence. But many things, such as
swastikas and confederate flags, conjure
up horrid thoughts. Instead of lawmakers
trying to eliminate these feelings by deny
ing First Amendment rights, they must
tackle the attitudes behind the actions.
Shade Miller has become defiant; he has a
reason to be mad. He does not deserve the
upper hand, but he and the KKK do de
serve their Constitutional rights. Jen
nifer Wing
For mosi people, ine rising temperatures
and clear skies make us giddy with spring
fever. But for others the weather is the
signal to swamp the Pit with "the word." Just
when we thought it was safe to sit outside and
enjoy the precious conversations we share
with dear friends, they're baaack ... Pit preachers.
Whether you like it or not, if you are outside
on a sunny afternoon, an occasional "You're
going to hell" or a "You impure whores and
whoremongers" is usually spewed in your
general direction. Most people sit idle at these
accusations during their leisure hour, but not I.
If I were sitting in my room, and I got an
obscene phone call, I could hang up. If I were
in a class and a teacher lectured accusatory
comments toward me or my classmates, I
could report him or her to a supervisor. But, in
the Pit, these options do not exist. It is a "free,"
speech zone. . - y-
Don't let this discourage you, however. The
good thing about free speech is that it goes both
ways. When the Pit preacher makes a claim
that you think is absurd, call him on it. If
anyone was in the Pit a few days before Spring
Break, they witnessed an interesting exchange
of thought. There was an uprising. Normally
idle bodies got fed up with being bombarded
with the antics of the Pit preacher. Many
questioned him, some just yelled at him and
still others carried on small debates with him.
But, here exists a problem. First, on the part
of the Pit preacher, he has to deal with the
spontaneous and sometimes ridiculous screams
at him. There were about four or five students
yelling at him at once. But, this also helps the
Pit preacher, because he can pick and choose
what he wants to answer. A few times, when I
had his attention, I asked him some provoking
questions which he somehow turned into ab-
Mindy Dawn Friedman
surdities. He thus avoided carrying on an intel
lectual debate.
Perhaps I am at a disadvantage, not having
been brought up in the "Bible Belt," but is
anyone really swayed to become Christian by
being yelled at? I am not questioning the valid
ity of Christianity to each their own. I am,
however, questioning "mass witnessing." The
only people who appreciate Pit preacher chat
are those who already believe (and I know
many God-fearing Christians who are repulsed
by Pit preachers). If one does not believe that
Jesus is the way, being called a whore or
whoremonger ;Voitfd tend to push the person
away' from; rather than toward', Christianity.
And, for thoseare feW'Who are persuaded by
the threat of hell's fire is this the reason to
join a religion? Shouldn't it be for the love of
Jesus, rather than the scare tactics of the threat
of wearing a red suit with a pitchfork and nasty
little horns?
The other day I passed by the Pit, only to see
yet another Pit preacher. But this time it was
different. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't
ignore him. No, I wasn't drawn to his word.
Quite to the contrary, I was trying to talk with
a friend. Only I couldn't quite hear my chum
over the amplified ramblings from the Pit. The
preacher was using a microphone. I was quite
distressed. My friend said, "Let's go inside so
we can hear each other." This incensed me. I
was driven from the outdoors so some stranger
could command as much attention as possible?
I have a right to spend my free time wherever
I wish on campus I pay tuition. Yet, this man
took away my right to enjoy my idle hours.'
outside. ;!
If you believe in your religion, that's greatJ
I hope that you achieve your salvation through!
it. I am not going to force my ideas on youJ
You can either read or not read this column,!
but you don't have the same choice when you.
go by the Pit. All I ask of you is that if you are!
offended by the accusations being aimed at!
you, talk back. You have a right. Free speech!
is for all of us, not just the dude with the Bible.!
If you want to know my views about religion
come up to me and ask. I won't victimize you
by forcing my ideas on you, and I will listened
what you have to say. My religion is right for
me, just as yours is right for you, and just as no
religion is right for still more people. '
If we all learn to respect each other's id$ai
and beliefs, no matter how they differ, we vvilj
grow as people. Questioning someone's wordfc
should not be seen as threatening. Rather, $
should be seen as an opportunity to explain
and express why they feel the way they do. I
am not insulted by the occasional question
about my thoughts. Instead I am flattered thafc
someone is interested enough to ask whyi
rather than build up prejudices and hate through
their ignorance. If I don't agree with someone'
answers to my questions, I don't lose mf
respect for them. Only when someone ignore
me or doesn't question can this respect bfc
diminished.
Think for yourselves. Question what yoy
don't understand. Don't accept anything withj
out looking into it. Don't let others do you
thinking for you. But most importantly, do not
stop respecting people if their beliefs differ
from yours. Stop ... listen ... question ... learn.
Mindy Dawn Friedman is a junior English
education major from Long Island, N.Y. , ')
Police image shot
with stereotypes
To the editors:
I had planned a sarcastic letter
to the editors regarding three sepa
rate experiences that I have had
with the University police. Instead,
with the help of a proofreading
friend, I have not only seen the err
of the police's ways but that of my
own as well. The interesting thing
is that both the police and the
students, (really myself), suffer
from the same thing. We both are
slaves to stereotypes. Students love
to make fun of the so-called
"Keystone Campus Cops," and the
police I've encountered seem to
think that all students are disre
spectful, delinquent and drunk
ards with nothing better to do than
insult them and the police profes
sion. Guys, wait a sec! Let's look at
this vicious cycle in detail and
pledge to change it. Case in point:
On my way to drop off my friend
Chris at Grimes, we passed a
University police car at the park
ing lot entrance between Lewis
and Joyner. Upon reaching the
Grimes parking lot, I parked un
lawfully next to the wheelchair
ramp, but only with the intention
of dropping off my friend who
happens to be visually impaired.
Chris wanted to go Gardner Webb
because he was unsatisfied with
the handicapped services at UNC
but that's another letter in itself.
As I stepped from the Jeep with
flashers blinking, I noticed that
the police car had followed me
into the lot. Maybeee ... they were
just doing their rounds. I won't
speculate. But the officer driving
promptly informed me that I was
parked illegally. I was quite aware
of my parking demise, as I'm sure
all students are on a daily basis but
that's still another letter to the
editors so I won't elaborate.
The officer's tone of voice in
alerting me to my marginal but
well intended parking job was
anything but courteous. And like
wise my response was borderline
contemptuous toward him. I
merely explained that I was drop
ping off a blind student, but my
tone was anything but submissive.
After our exchange of "pleasant
ries," he and his partner drove
away into the night.
There is a lesson to be learned
here. We, as students, must re
member that the University police
merely enforce laws and policies
espoused by the University-. If
we're angry because we get a
ticket, we should protest the lack
of campus parking, not chide the
officer that issues the citation.
They, as University police offi
cers, have the job of serving this
community; a community as di
verse as any in America.
The Carolina campus has people
from, (as trite as it may sound), all
walks of life. There is no room for
stereotyping the entire student
body based on a police officer's
previous experience. At the risk of
contradicting my argument, I'll
stereotype everyone involved by
saying we're all mature adults here;
let's stop throwing salt on a
wounded policestudent relation
ship. Let's start showing some
respect.
KURTIS K. GENTRY
Junior
RTVMP
GAA serves important
function to alumni
To the editors:
I would like to respond to the
letter concerning the building of
the Alumni Center, and hopefully
clear up a few confusions ("Build
ing for alumni overlooks base of
University education," April 9
DTH). When I first found out about
the Alumni Center, and where it
was placed, I was just as outraged
as Mize appears to be. Fortunately,
since then, I have found out some
facts about just what the General
Alumni Association does and what
purposes the new building will
serve.
First, the General Alumni As
sociation is not the Educational
Foundation, although many seem
to think that they are related. It is
not a fund-raising organization.
The GAA is just what it says; it is
an organization that is here to serve
the alumni of Carolina, both pres
ent and future. The GAA keeps
track of all alumni, whether or not
they are members, recording ac
complishments, honors, marriages
and deaths. It organizes all reun
ions of classes, giving even the
Class of 1990 a chance to get to
gether in the future and relive old
times. Alumni clubs across the
nation and in Europe are coordi
nated by the GAA, allowing new
and old graduates to meet each
other in whatever city they choose
to live. The GAA arranges meet
ings between alumni, current stu
dents and incoming freshmen, to
let the freshmen find out first hand
what the Carolina experience re
ally means. In addition, the GAA
puts out eight publications a year
specifically to tie the alumni to the
University and let them know what
is going on at their alma mater,
without which many alumni might
not know that there is a budget
crunch going on. All of these func
tions, plus many more, are done in
about one-fourth the space of the
Student Union. Imagine trying to
just keep and manage the records
for the 180,000 current alumni in
that amount of space. So far, the
GAA has managed to do that and
much more.
I question whether Mize has
actually gone over and seen what
the problem is with the present
building. To continue serving the
present alumni, and those who will
join the ranks in May, more spaCe
is needed. The new building isnbt
a recreational facility forltbe
alumni, as many, including Mie,
would like to believe. The hev
space will give the GAA the abil
ity to better serve both the alumni
and the University. Yes, there are
conference rooms and such,, but
these are for the entire University
community, not just for the pleas
ure of the alumni. This serves Jto
foster relationships between fac
ulty, students and alumni in a wty
that would not be possible witbc&it
such a meeting place. But rtujst
importantly, the new building will
enable the GAA to finally mpve
out of cramped quarters and; ex
pand its services to the alumni'and
the students.
I wish that the site were some
where else, but I know that the
GAA did not ask to be put in the
middle of the trees next to Kenan;
instead they were given that site
by the University.
This new building is not the
"altar to their own self-worship"
that Mize would have us think that
it is. It is merely a response to a
need from a vital link between the
current University community and
the alumni. I think that one of the
biggest problems is that the stu
dents, myself formerly included,
believe that the alumni need to
remember what is was like when
they were in school. Now, in this
case, I think that the students need
to realize that they will one day be
alumni also, perhaps living across
the country, depending only on
the General Alumni Association
to tie them to their southern pait of
heaven. ,
SHELLEY MILSPAW
Junior
Journalism