North Carolina Newspapers

10The Daily Tar HeelThursday, December 3, 1992 0 y;!Vo you Know ne? Probity n. I'm -Ihe Stub Body President, John XVc propose noting, eJ no role ' -Me issues 4hf- cestctrsi suJeos. XiS M yvho Knts! Established in 1893 100th year of editorial freedom nof even here Existence mens PETER WAHSTEN, Editor Office horns: Fridays 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Anna GRIFFIN, University Editor ASHLEY FOGLE, Editorial Page Editor Dana Pope, City Editor REBECAH MOORE, State and National Editor Yl-HsiN CHANG, Features Editor WARREN HYNES, Sports Editor Erin RANDALL, Photography Editor DAVID J. KUPSTAS, SportSaturday Editor Amy SEELEY, Copy Desk Editor DAVID COUNTS, Layout Editor ALEX De GRAND, Cartoon Editor AMBER NimOCKS, Omnibus Editor JOHN CASERTA, Graphics Editor if litre iv ncr even here. r i t I ei I In1 m II I The (Native) American way The call for recruiting Native-American faculty members has been heard, and it appears that some thing finally is being done. Tuesday's meeting between members of the Caro lina Indian Circle and Provost Richard McCormick was the first in a series of steps that should be taken to deal with issues of Native-American faculty. While McCormick and the University are to be commended for taking some initiative in trying to recruit a Native-American faculty member, efforts must not stop there. UNC cannot afford to exercise the same carelessness that led to the mysterious disappearance of a list of 250 Native Americans with Ph.D.s. Instead, it must stay committed to recogniz ing the need and striving to meet it. And while some may argue that Native Americans only make up a small portion of the University community, they must realize that numbers do not make this portion any less significant. Like all stu dents, who often feel the need to have someone with whom they can identify, UNC's Native-American students have that same need. In addition, Native Americans are a sizable minor ity across North Carolina and a segment of the population that should not be overlooked so com pletely at the state's flagship institution. Thus, it is the responsibility of the University to pursue the Carolina Indian Circle's goals and take their con cerns seriously. Eventually, Native-American instructors should be permanent members of the University commu nity, and Native-American courses should be part of the curriculum. Although McCormick has said there won't be any immediate decisions made about hiring a Native American woman who currently is being interviewed, University officials must remember that students should not be expected to wait forever. The Univer sity must remain committed to its plan of raising the consciousness of deans and department chairmen about the need for faculty diversity. Perhaps with the help of these department chair men, deans and other University officials, students and others in the community can begin to experience the culture from not just one, but several degree holding Native-American faculty members. A sigh of relief On behalf of women around the nation, may we just say, "Whew." On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from a lower court ruling that declared Guam's broad prohibition on abortion unconstitu tional. Consistent with the ReaganBush agenda, the Su preme Court gradually has been eroding the scope and authority of the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision. There has been speculation that the Court was pre paring to overturn outright that decision, which pre vents states from outlawing abortion. Recent court decisions have allowed states to place restrictions, some of them severe, on the avail ability of abortion. But the Court's refusal to hear Guam's appeal clearly announces that the attack on Roe vs. Wade will only be allowed to go so far. If the Court were of a mind to overturn Roe, this case would have been a golden opportunity. Guam's law allowed for an abortion only when two doctors agreed that the procedure was necessary to save the mother's life or prevent a "grave" threat to her health. This law stopped just short of com pletely prohibiting abortion, and an affirmation of the law would have delivered a grievous blow to women's rights. The Court's refusal to hear the case is not necessar ily a resounding affirmation of Roe, since the five justices voting not to grant the appeal did not write an opinion explaining their action. But beggars can't be choosers, and these days abortion rights advocates will take what they can get and be happy about it. The fact that the Court skipped an excellent opportu nity to overturn Roe is cause enough for celebration. The future is looking bright, as well. While Supreme Court justices should not be nomi nated and affirmed for their political leanings or opinions of the law on particular issues, it is highly probable that any Clinton nominees to the Court will tend to protect rather than denigrate the authority of the Roe decision. As a matter of principle, ends should never be allowed to justify the means. Hence, activists on both sides of the abortion debate are wrong when they consistently promote and encourage litmus tests for nominees to the Supreme Court. But the women in Amtrica, whose interests re quire that coathangers continue to be used for clothes and not surgery, are fortunate that the current admin istration is, at least, on the right side of the debate. IKS S!KSSTOMi'i, "tW.K f1 Editorial Policy The Daily Tar Heel's editorials are approved by the majority of the editorial board which is composed of the editor, editorial page editor and five editorial writers. iiPMPiriiMr Business tnd advertising: Kevin Schwartz, oVatfo manager. Business stall: Gina Berardlno, assistant manager Holly Aldrfdge, Steve Politl and Rhonda Walker, receptionists. Classllled advertising: Kristen Costello, Tina Habash, Leah Richards, Christ! Thomas and Steve Verier, representatives; Chad Campbell, production assistant Display advertising: Ashleigh Heath, advertising manaoer; Milton Artls, marketing oVracforMarcle Bailey, Laurie Baron, Michelle Buckner, Jennifer Danich, Will Davis, Shannon Edge, Pam Horkan, Jed Kilman and Maria Miller, account executives; Sherrl Cockrum, creative director. Advertising production: Bill Leslie, managersystem administrator; Stephanie Brodsky and Aimee Hobbs, assistants. Assistant editors: Jackie Hershkowitz and Kelly Ryan, city; Samantha Falke, copy; Renee Gentry, layout; Jayson Singe, photo; John C. Manuel, Amy McCaffrey, Steve Politl and Bryan Strickland, sports; Jason Richardson, state and national; Marly Mlnchin and Jennifer Talhelm, university. Newsclerfc Kevin Brennan. Editorial writers: Gerri Baer, Jacqueline Charles, Alan Martin, Charles Overbeck and Dacla Toll. University: Daniel Aldrlch, Ivan Arrington, Thanassis Cambanis, Sheri Chen, Joyce Clark, Tiffany Derby, Melissa Dewey, Casella Foster, Kathleen Keener, Gautam Khandelwal, James Lewis, Bill Llckert, Chris Lindsay, Steve Robbies, Chris Robertson, Gary Rosenzweig, Justin Scheet, Brad Short, Peter Sigal and Holly Stepp. City: Tiffany Ashhurst, John Ashley, Nathan Bishop, Leah Campbell, Maile Carpenter, Dale Castle, Karen Clark, Debi Cynn, Richard Dalton, Matthew Henry, William Huffman, Rama Kayyali, Chad Merritt, Shakti Routray, Robert Strader, Suzanne Wuelfing and Kathleen Wurth. State and National: Eric Lusk, senior writer, Anna Burdeshaw, Tim Burrows, Tara Duncan, Paul Garber, Stephanie Greer, Steven Harris, Scott Holt, Rahsaan Johnson, Andrea Jones, Leila Maybodi, Jerry McElreath, Beth McNichol, Julie Nations, Adrienne Parker, Kurt Raatzs, Bruce Robinson, Alia Smith and Allison Taylor. Arts: Rahul Mehta, coordinator; Kathleen Rynn, Waynette Gladden, Mondy Lamb, Alex McMillan, Elizabeth Oliver, Jonathan Rich, Martin Scott, Jennl Spitz, Sally Stryker, Cara Thomisser, Mark Watson, Emma Williams and Duncan Young. Features: Stephanie Beck, Elena Bourgoin, Monica Brown, John Davies, Maria DiGlano, Erika Helm, Ted Lotchln, Phuong Ly, Deepa Perumallu, Aullca Rutland, LeAnn Spradling, Scott Tillett, Lloyd Whittington and Andrea Young. Sports: Eric David and David J. Kupstas, senior writers; Zachary Albert, Rodney Cline, Adam Davis, Marc Franklin, Brian Gould, Stephen Higdon, Diana Koval, Mary Laff erty, Alison Lawrence, Jacson Lowe, Brian McJunkin, Jeff Mckinley, Pete Simpkinson, Carter Toole, Philip Weickert, James Whitfield and Pete Zifchak. Photography: Missy Etelto, Dale Castle, Jim Fugia, Jill Kaufman, Chns Kirkman, Ellen Ozier. Evie Sandlln, Jennie Shipen and Debbie Stengel. Copy Editors: Angeligue Bartlett, Stephanie Beck, Robin Caole, Eliot Cannon. Caroline Chambre. Laura Chappell. Monica Clearv. Kim Costello. Jav Davis. Debbie Eldson. Jennifer Heinzen, Kelly Johnston, Amy Kincaid, David Lindsay, Nimesh Shah, Cassaundra Sledge, Jenifer Stinehetler, Leslie Ann Teseniar, Jackie Torok and Kenyatta upcnurcn. Graphics: Jin Angel, Kim Horstmann, jay Koseoorougn and Justin scneet. Cartoonists: Mandy Brame, Mary Brutzman, Sterling Chen, Kasumba Rayne De Carvalho, Katie Kasben, Michelle Kelley. Tanya Kennedy. Sergio Rustia Miranda and Jason Smith. Editorial Prediction: Stacy Wynn, manager Lisa Reichle, assistant DistrltitiM tat Printing: village Printing Company The DaRy Tar Nttl h puMMwd by Hit DTH Publishing Corp., a non-profit North Carolina corporation, Monday-Friday, according to the University calendar. Callers with ouestiom about billing or display advertising should dial 962-1 163 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 o.m. Classified ads can be reached at 962-0252. Editorial questions should be directed to 962-02450246. Campn mail address: CM 5210 tu 4s, Carolina Unita Office: Salt 104 Carolina Unit U.I. Mali address: P.O. la 1237. Chapel Mil, NC 2751S-J257 At last: Medical community recognizes women The medical profession suddenly is realizing that women exist For the past 20 years or so, women have been making strides in health and medical careers, establish ing themselves in the upper echelons as doctors and researchers. Unfortunately, women on the other end of the stetho scope have remained second-class citi zens. The medical profession doesn't have a particularly good history of listening to women's concerns or focusing on women's problems. For centuries, the healthy, normal specimen of mankind has been just that mankind. Doctors and researchers have wielded a double edged sword against women's bodies. On the one hand, women have been seen as fatally flawed merely because we are women. We are the second sex, the weaker sex. Something about hav ing a uterus and ovaries damages you as a human being, makes you more sus ceptible to mood swings, less intelli gent, less rational. Because we diverge from the male norm, we are deviant. We are other. On the other hand, we never thought we'd achieve too much equality. By ignoring or discounting the medi cal experiences of women, researchers and doctors have become too egalitar ian, too willing to overlook the differ ences between the sexes. Not only are healthy white men the standard for health, unhealthy white men are the standard for disease. The medical profession, stuck in its male-focused mentality, has overlooked the fact that health problems might af fect woman and men differently. It has long ignored disease symptoms pecu liar to women. Studies and research often have focused exclusively on male Alisa DeMao Life Under Siege fiiihiprs As a i g a result, scores of women have suffered or died of common health problems unrecognized by their doctors. But things are looking up. For instance: Physicians are finding that re search on heart disease in women is a full generation behind that of heart disease in men. Scientists have been doing experiments and research on this particular medical problem for about 50 years. Unfortu nately, the overwhelming majority of their subjects have been you guessed it men. Heart disease generally doesn't af fect women in the same ways it affects men. It doesn't strike them at the same point in life. The symptoms often are not the same. Doctors and researchers have been charting the course of heart disease in men for the last half-century. This pro cess has just begun for women. But at least the medical profession is beginning to realize the problems women face. Some agencies like the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta are even doing something about it. In January, the CDC will add three new diseases pulmonary tuberculo sis, recurrent pneumonia and invasive cervical cancer to the list of diseases that indicate fully developed AIDS in people infected with HTV, the virus that causes AIDS. The decision follows re peated demands by activists who ac cused the government of ignoring symp toms suffered primarily or particularly by women. Currently, the center lists 23 indica tor diseases that lead to an AIDS diag nosis in HIV-infected people. One of them, Kaposi'ssarcoma,isacancer that occurs primarily in men. The CDC originally opposed adding the three new diseases, because they occur fairly frequently in people who are not infected by AIDS. But activists presented studies that showed these dis eases are more common and worse in HIV-infected people because of the virus' s destruction of their immune sys tems. The revised list has the potential to affect government disability benefits for thousands of people currently in fected with HTV but not diagnosed with AIDS. An AIDS diagnosis also would allow these people to participate in drug trials and qualify for low-cost AIDS drugs. Just as important, the revised list arms women with powerful, federally backed ammunition in their battle with physicians particularly gynecologists who have refused to take their wor ries and concerns seriously: Tricia Grindel, an activist with AID Atlanta, told one reporter, "I've heard horror stories of women with persistent gyne cological problems who request an HIV test and are refused." By accepting cervical cancer as an AIDS indicator in HIV-positive women, the CDC has taken an important step in helping female patients achieve equal status in the doctor's office. A small step, but significant. Alisa DeMao is a senior journalism and political science major from Garner. Educational Foundation benefits entire University To the editor: It was disappointing to read the lead editorial in your Nov. 1 2 edition regard ing the Educational Foundation. I was quite puzzled by what would have mo tivated the editorial board to author such a piece. The Educational Foundation's effort to reach out to current students so that those who are interested might become a part of sup xuting the Carolina ath letic program and the student-athletes who constitute it seems to be a very appropriate . endeavor on the foundation's part. The Educational Foundation has sup ported athletics at this University since 1938, and it has done so in a manner of full compliance with NCAA rules and regulations. It is an outstanding organization made up of quality people more than 90 percent of whom are graduates of this University. Besides having provided the means to fund a college education for more than 6,000 UNC students during the past 54 years, the Educational Founda tion is responsible for many other good works on this campus. The foundation recently committed $3.65 million to the Uni versity ' s Bicen tennial Campaign and in recent years gave $50,000 to the University's librar ies to assist in keeping those facilities open for longer hours to benefit the student body as a whole. It is not my inclination to question your editorial stances, but I do feel that this one was unjust. I appreciate the opportunity to share some of the positive aspects of a first class organization that exists to benefit this university, its athletic program and its students past, present and future. JOHND.SWOFFORD Director of Athletics Pelvic exam article gave important information To the editor: I was offended and disgusted that Ruth Dobson and J J. Warlick could not see past the frank and informative dis cussion of a terror-shrouded medical procedure to appreciate the worth of the article "Dreaded pelvic exam key to women's fight against cervical cancer." The deterrorizing of a still somewhat dehumanizing experience for women is needed to convince women to go to talk to the Student Health counselors in the first place. Women hesitant about the procedure might be just as hesitant about talking about the procedure with a coun selor. If more people had an idea of what went on in the exam before they even went to the clinic or doctor's of fice, more women might be inclined to make the appointment that could save their, lives. When I read Dobson and Warlick's letter, I was confused as to their reason ing to keep the goings-on of a pelvic exam from the public. They questioned, "since when have the minute details of any health examination procedure been relevant news?" And I answer, "since people ceased to blush at the mention of the word vagina." Or perhaps Dobson and Warlick still feel some kind of Puritanical shame about their own anatomies that prevents them from direct discussion of genita lia. I would like to think that this is not the reason, and maybe I have just missed their point entirely. In any case, I completely disagree with their conclusion, and I applaud the DTH for its revealing coverage of a medical issue that continues to be fright ening for a lot of women. In order to stop women from dying of cervical can cer, we must, as a society, get over our hang-ups about our gonads and get rid of the mystery surrounding a life-saving medical procedure. EMILY WALSH Sophomore Biology Ad for unethical women's center should be pulled To the editor: Mr. Wallsten, I was extremely irri tated this morning to open up my DTH and find yet another advertisement for the Triangle Women's Health Center. This ad upset me because, Mr. Wallsten, as you are more than fully aware, this organization is run in a highly unethical manner. The owner (and former lead doctor) is currently serving a prison term, and his son, the business manager, is also facing such a term for tax evasion and money laundering. The people in ques tion are Dr. William Brenner and his son Bill Brenner, Another son, Brian, who is a graduate student at UNC, also works in this disreputable center. The center is currently under investigation for lying about the ages of fetuses so that they could exploit their customers by pumping up the price of abortions. Mr. Wallsten, a friend of mine in formed you of all this, as well as of a blind report issued against one of Dr. Brenner's sons, and asked you to stop running the ads so as not to lead the "girls" of UNC into such a den of crimi nals. "Women," you corrected, as well you should have. But one aspect of political correctness which you seem to have completely missed is that using respectful words for groups of people should be out of ACTUAL RESPECT for that group of people. Mr. Wallsten, it is more than clear by the persistence of these ads that your respect for the female population on this campus takes a back seat to The Daily Tar Heel's almighty advertising revenues. Let me remind you that women helped elect you to the position that you now hold and that you have a duty to act responsibly toward them in light of this news, which you know to be true. I hope that you will do so in the future. EMILY FOX Senior International studies Letters policy The Daily Tax Heel welcomes reader comments and criticisms. We attempt to print as many letters to'the editor as space pmniis. When writ ing letters.please follow these guide lines: Letters should be limited to 400 words. Shorter letters have a better chance of running. : Ifyouwantyourletterpublished, sign, and date it, No more than two signatures. All letters must be typed and double-spaced, Include your year in (school, ma jor, phone number and hometown. If you have a title relevant to your letter's subject, please include it The DTH reserves the right to edit letters for space, clarity and vul garity. .