Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Jan. 14, 1991, edition 1 / Page 8
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8The Daily Tar HeelMonday, January 14, 1991 tkj 3ar 35M 98th year of editorial freedom Jessica Lanning and Kelly Thompson, Editors Stephanie Johnston, University Editor Elizabeth Murray, Forum Editor Peter F. Wallsten, City Editor Mark Anderson, Sports Editor VlCKI HYMAN, Features Editor GRANT HALVERSON, Photography Editor Lisa Lindsay, News Editor AlJSA DeMao, Omnibus Editor NANCY Wykle, University Editor Crystal Bernstein, Opinion Editor Cullen D. Ferguson, City Editor GLENN O'NEAL, State and National Editor Cheryl Allen, Features Editor KATHY MlCHEL, Photography Editor JoAnN RODAK, News Editor Alex De Grand, Cartoon Editor Johanna Henderson, Ombudsman A violated 'student body' Statue vandalism should stir further debate Someone or some people vandalized "The Student Body" in front of Davis Library Satur day. In doing so, they not only damaged the artwork, but they also sabotaged the most serious discussion of racial tension that this campus has seen in years. Although many feel quite strongly about the sculpture's artistic merit and message, this petty action was to no one's benefit. Judging from mud left on two of the figures, a group of people kicked both of the statues representing African-Americans the basketball player and the woman balancing the book on her head. Although the woman was left virtually undamaged, the basketball was ripped from the player's hand and that statue was bent to about a 30 degree angle from the ground. This community may never know why the sculpture was damaged; it could have been a mindless prank or it could have been a pointed attack on what some see as ste reotyping of the African-American com munity. But no matter what the vandals' intention, their impact was clearly hurtful. It undermined the constructive criticism and debate about the sculpture heard from both sides last semester. In particular, vandalizing the two figures hurt the cause of those who were offended by the sculpture. Groups such as the Com munity Against Offensive Statues had worked patiently with University adminis trators for more than two months, suggest ing alternative sites and staging a non confrontational, "lone protest" each day. This destruction devalues their efforts to find a peaceful, intelligent solution, espe cially because it comes just a few days before Chancellor Paul Hardin will an nounce his decision about moving the sculpture. The work of the protestors had gained the respect and attention of admin istrators that is so fragile.- Now, with this incident, it could be lost. No matter what individuals' feelings about the sculpture itself are, few would disagree that the debate it provoked was positive. After a series of hate crimes shocked this campus, the statues provided a long-overdue focus for exploring the racial tensions in the University community. Students debated the issues of stereotyping and free speech in a respectful yet serious manner. It seemed that during this time of open expression, the hate crimes had di minished. Saturday's vandalism is the first such anonymous, destructive act since the sculpture were erected. The University community should not allow this to silence the debate; that would be the biggest crime of all. The editorial board consists of Crystal Bernstein, Jessica Lanning, Elizabeth Murray, H. Brock Page, Jen Pilla and Kelly Thompson. Neglected at home : Homeless are overlooked in the wake of war The prospect of war with Iraq has been consuming more and more space on the front pages of newspapers and in the minds of Americans as the Jan. 15 deadline ap proaches, and some issues that once seemed pressing are being put on hold. One group of Americans that needs particular atten tion during the winter season seems almost to be unnoticed America's homeless. As temperatures begin dropping and un employment rates continue to rise, the homeless are especially in need of assis tance from their communities. The number of people seeking shelter and food typically swells during the winter months, but sup port from the Bush administration and media attention to their plight hasn't risen accordingly. Local volunteers from the InterFaith Council's homeless shelter said although Chapel Hill has a relatively mild climate, the shelter does experience increased de mand for space and supplies as the weather gets colder. The shelter needs volunteers to cook meals, answerphones and work over night or in the evenings. The shelter always accepts donations of food and blankets and is currently working on setting up aclothing distribution system. The LFC continues to work diligently for this community's homeless. But solutions to the problems of the homeless must be addressed on a national basis. President Bush was credited recently in Time magazine for serving as a strong leader in the international realm, but criti cized for neglecting many important do mestic problems. It is ironic that the U.S. is pouring billions of dollars into a military buildup overseas when America's home less are experiencing their own crisis. If Bush truly wants to "build a stronger America," he should start by focusing at tention on and increasing funding for homeless shelters and fair housing pro grams. All Americans should do what they can to support U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East, but they shouldn't forget the millions of Americans fighting the battle of homelessness in our own land. Jennifer Pilla Editorial Policy 1 The Daily Tar HeeVs board opinion editorials are approved by the majority of the editorial board, which is composed of the co-editors, opinion editor, forum editor and three editorial writers. Signed editorials do not necessarily reflect the entire board's opinion. ; The Daily Tar Heel has three regular staff columnists who write once a week Their opinions also do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the board. ite (Mb O&p O&ssQ Business and advertising: Kevin Schwartz, director: Bob Bates, advertising director; Leslie Humphrey, classified ad manager. Business staff: Allison Ashworth, manager; Kimberly Moretz, assistant manager; Gina Berardino, office assistant; Michelle Gray, Annice Hood and Becky Marquette, receptionists; Ken Murphy, subscriptions; Chrissy Davis, promotions manager. Classified advertising: Kirsten Burkart, assistant manager; Laura Richards and Angela Spivey, assistants; Brandon Poe, production. Display advertising: Lavonne Leinster. advertising manager; Heather Bannister, Chris Berry, Kelly Bohart, Chad Boswell, Carrie Grady, Ashleigh Heath, Carole Hedgepeth, Vicki Isley.Trich Parrottand Dawn Rogers, account representatives;Yim Blass, creative director, Milton Artis, Laurie Davis, Maribeth Layton, Brooks Spradling and Stacy Turkel, sales assistants; Deborah Bumgarner, proofreader. Advertising production: Bill Leslie, manager; Anita Bentley, Chad Campbell, Greg Miller and Lome Pate, production assistants. Assistant editors: Mondy Lamb, arts coordinator; Jennifer Dickens, city; Doug Zemet, layout; Amy McCarter, Amy Seeley and Natalie Sekicky, news; James Benton and Jenny Cloninger, ombudsman; Charles Marshall and Devon Hyde, Omnibus; Neil Amato and Scott Gold, sports; Wendy Bounds, state and national; Matthew Eisley and Laura Williams, university. Newsclerks: Kevin Brennan and Amy Dew Editorial writers: Brock Page and Jennifer Pilla. University: Marcie Bailey, Elizabeth Byrd, Alisa DeMao, April Draughn. Jennifer Dunlap, Soyia Ellison, Natalie Godwin, Brian Golson, Stacey Kaplan. Susie Katz, Burke Koonce, Matthew Mielke, Gillian Murphy. Jennifer Mueller, Cathy Oberle, Shannon O'Grady, Steve Polrb', JoAnn Rodak. Billy Stockard and Carrie Wells. City: Janice Daughtry, Kris Donahue, Nancy Johnson, Julie Matveaux, Nicole Peradotto, Nicole Perez, Erik Rogers, Mariel Wilson and Laura Young. State and National: Jennifer Davis, Karen Dietrich, David Etchison, Doug Hatch, Andre Hauser, Eric Lusk, Kyle York Spencer and Dacia Toll. Arts: Isabel Barbuk. Randy Basinger, Kitt Bockley, Angela Buffum, Grant Halverson, Kirk Medlin, Greg Miller and Jeff Trussed. Features: Randy Basinger, Eric Bolash, M.C. Dagenhart, Mara Lee, Kristin Leight, Mandy Matule. Scott Maxwell. Ginger Meek, Mary Moore Parham and Dawn Wilson. Sports: Kenny Abner, Jason Bates, AJ. Brown. Robert Brown, Stewart Chisam, Jay Exum, Brandon Hunter, Warren Hynes, Doug Hoogervorst, Matt Johnson, David Kupstas. Bobby McCroskey, Doug McCurry and Bryan Strickland. Photography: Evan Eile and Joe Muhl, senior photographers; Kevin Burgess. Deena Deese, Jonathan Grubbs, Stephanie Harper, Jim Holm, Brian Jones, Cheryl Kane, Sarah King, Keith Nelson and Debbie Stengel. Layout Christy Conroy, Christy Hall, Emily Nicholl, Lara Spence and Jeff Workman. Copy Editors: Maureen Ahmad, Hardy Floyd. Lorrin Freeman, Stephanie Harper, Angela Hill, Sarah Kirkman, Mitch Kokai, Jennifer Kurfees, Wendy Lee. Heather Patterson, Susan Pearsall, Natalie Pool, Emilie Van Poucke, Clare Weickert and Steve Wilson. Cartoonists: Alex De Grand. Chris DePree, David Estoye, Chris Kelly and Mike Sutton. Editorial Production: Stacy Wynn, manager; Kristen Jones and Greg Thacker, assistants. Distribution: RDS Carriers. Printing: Village Printing. Ombudsman: Johanna Henderson. Phone: 962-0245; Office hours: Mon.: 1-5 p.m., Tue. and Thur.: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Wed.: 3:30-5 p.m., Fri.: 1-3 p.m. The Daily Tar Heel is published by the DTH Publishing Corp., a non-profit North Carolina corporation, Monday-Friday, according to the University calendar. Callers with questions about billing or display advertising should dial 962-1 1 63 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Classified ads can be reached at 962-0252. Editorial questions should be directed to 962-02450246. Office: Suite 104 Carolina Union Campus mall address: CB 5210 box 49. Carolina Union U.S. Mail address: P.O. Box 3257, Chapel Hill. NC 27515-3257 I ' Sculpture a positive and generous gift To the editors: This group sculpture in front of Davis Library has aroused critical debate, and its removal or reloca tion has been demanded by a few who see racial or sexual stereotype and bias in certain details. "The Student Body" by Julia Balk is a remarkable sculpture. Its design, symbolism, arrangement and location seem appropriate and appealing. The sculpture captures reality and genre, with character istics of our time, but timeless features as well. Certainly, before any action such as relocation is taken, a careful assessment and contemplation of the artwork is needed. Since the sculpture heralds "Students with Books," its asso ciation with the library seems be fitting and well selected. . ; What a great gift it is to the alma mater by its grateful students! Why could or would "whites" take offense for being depicted in a male-female relationship or "blacks" for playing ball along with the pursuit of learning? These are observations, typical campus scenes. The student pair could be "blacks." An offense or racial bias? "Blacks"and"whites"doplayball. If a "white" player had been de picted, would some "blacks" have complained, or some "whites" considered it not appropriate? Probably. The female artist mod elled different individual postures of the couple, depicting a possible "sex difference" in behavior. Fe males and males are different, and the expressions of them vary with the situation. The relationship of the partners reflects the sexual principle of difference," a won drous . and wonderful complementarity throughout na ture. Why confuse biology with the civil "principle of equality" before the law, in which we strongly believe? Thank you, Class of 1985, for this extraordinary gift! A less re alistic and less committal piece of art might have been much easier to digest, albeit less expressive. Spe cial thanks and admiration, there fore, to the artist! Congratulations to the University for such fine students and for being graced with such beautiful and meaningful art! If any changes were pondered, I could perceive a modified base. Was the heavy all-brick frame the best choice to match composition and material of the bronze figures? When I saw "The Students of Chapel Hill" for the first time, I was struck by the composition of the "group" and the character of the individuals, the realism, the choice of material and the beauty of it all. I was reminded of Rodin's group sculpture, "The Burghers of Calais." "Students by the Library" (a possible alternate and less assum ing title) by Julia Balk, donated by the Class of '85, is an impressive and expressive piece of art that the University of North Carolina is privileged to have. WALTER E. STUMPF Professor School of Cell Biology and Anatomy Peace is achievable despite policy of war Lisa Abbott is a co-chairwoman of the Student Environmental Ac tion Coalition. To the editors: AAAUUUGGGHHH. Crystal Bernstein's editorial (Jan. 1 1, Fu tile opposition) is the most disempowering drivel I have ever heard. I am outraged and disgusted that she would urge her fellow students to abandon our nation's proud history of dissent and citizen involvement by blindly submitting to George Bush's policy of war. I will be grateful if Bernstein never again defies what is possible for me as a citizen or what is achievable through diplomacy and negotiation among nations. In her editorial she did both, stating that an anti-war stance is "not an option at this point" because "President Bush has already committed to attacking Iraq." Today's peace activists are not "unrealistic," as Bernstein asserts. Indeed, we have been assaulted by the daily reality of our president's arrogance and his unwavering drive toward war. Since Aug. 2 1 have lived in fear as I have never known before. I am all too aware that America's lifestyle and military power are unsustainable, regardless of the outcome of this immediate crisis. Nonetheless, I am one of many Americans who are striving to find hope among these threats of global violence. My hope is not found in our president, nor the big oil in terests he represents. It is not found in the United States Congress. (They seem to have swallowed Bernstein's twisted reasoning: since the President seems deter mined to act with the authority of a king, we should grant him that authority.) Nor is hope found in the words of Walter Royal Davis (as in our library) who bought a full page ad in the Washington Post urging that very same blind alle giance to American supremacy and to George Bush's unrestricted power. I find hope in this community. I am proud of this community where the Women's International League for Peace and Justice holds daily vigils outside the post office, where UNC students gather for a speak out on the last day of classes and where high school students orga nize protests attended by hundreds. I find hope in the citizens who write letters to their elected offi cials. Many of these may be abandoned in some dingy mail room, but one was read on world television by Jordan's King Hussein as an impassioned plea for peace. All represent the actions of citizens who uphold the ideals of a world in which leaders are ac countable to their people. These are not "futile," as Bernstein asserts. They are signs of true courage and faith. They are not carried out by people who are "ignoring" the reality and gravity of the situation. Rather, they arise from citizens who are committed to the brash hopefulness of de mocracy and nonviolence. In the words of Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small, highly com mitted group of individuals can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." LISA ABBOTT Junior Biology Soldiers would enjoy getting student mail To the editors: My name is Philip Sumner. I am in the Army; I am from Fort Bragg; N.C. I am currently deployed to Saudi Arabia. I have been over here for four months. I have several people in my tent who don't get much mail. I thought maybe you all would enjoy writing to some of them. I will attempt to describe them for you all. First we have Randy Lewis. He is from Lowell, Mass. He likes heavy metal music and is an avid sports fan.' Next we have William Phelps. He is from Troy, Ohio. He likes clas sic rock and enjoys working on his four-wheel-drive truck. Next we have Sgt. Larry Hamilton. He is from Hendersonville, N.C. He enjoys classic rock and country music and enjoys partying and drinking tequila. As for myself, I enjoy meeting new people and working on anything mechanical. I am from Bristol, VT. Well, as I know that you all are busy with your studies, a quick note to these guys would probably make their days. Try to enclose a picture so they can see who they are writing to. The addresses are: Sgt. Larry Ham ilton, 245-45-1819; William Phelps, 299-50-7247; Randy Lewis, 015-66-5195; and Sgt. Philip Sumner, 008-48-2 181. Just place their name and service number above the following ad dress and they will be assured of receiving your letter. OPER: Desert Shield, Aco 50th Signal BN (ABN). APO N.Y. 09657-3200. Letters policy The Daily Tar Heel welcomes; reader comments and criticisms. We attempt to print as many letters to the editors as space permits. When writing letters, please follow these guidelines: B If you want your letter pub lished, please sign and date it. No more than two signatures please. D All letters must be typed and double-spaced. fa Place letters in the box marked "Letters to the Editor" outside the DTH office in the Student Union annex.
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Jan. 14, 1991, edition 1
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