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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 21, 1975)
opinion Reaction to ‘Human Kindness’ farce anemic By NICHOLAS VON HOFFMAN WASHINGTON (KFS) — The bread-and circuses approach to tranquilizing the more danger ous segments of the population failed again a few days ago. The occasion was the unintentionally iron ically named Human Kindness Day, at which more than 400 whites were beaten, robbed, mugged, and raped by youthful black hooligans in the course of a free rock concert outside Jerry Ford’s White House back door. As of this writing the President has been too concerned with the logistics of zapping Cam bodia to issue a statement. Apparently intimidated by the overwhelmingly black crowd of an estimated 125,000, the U.S. Park Police stood by and did absolutely nothing to earn their pay. “Even if we had mobilized every policeman in this city, I’m not sure it would have been enough. Not without the active support of the citizens,” one policeman said by way of excusing the suspension of the minimum protections of a civilized community. Judging by the appalled reaction of a number of blacks who attended the concert, it is by no means certain the crowd would have protected the tiny minority of criminals. However, it is asking a lot of untrained, unarmed civilians to interpose themselves between gangs of murderous toughs and their vic tims. Some seemed to have tried. At the beginning of this day of crime and mayhem some blacks did in deed try to intervene, but as it became clear that the rule of law was in abeyance, and more and more junior hoods joined in kicking white fannies, interposi tion became too dangerous. The response to this lawlessness gives rise to the fear that there will be more of the same. Con gressman Rod Dellums, a black who is ordinarily a rational and creative legislator, let loose with a zing at . V. the media for white, racist exaggeration. It would be interesting to know what he would say if it had been his right eye that had been blinded by a ruffian’s ice pick instead of that of a Department of Agriculture employe. Actually, the white media downplayed the whole mess, it was not until two days after the affair that newspaper readers and television viewers alike were told the full story. For the most part editorial comment has been so mild that you might think the only offense committed was trampling on the gladiolas. After look ing favorably on the suggestion that no more day long rock concerts be permitted — let's all lock our selves in cages to save ourselves from the crooks. The Washington Post concluded its editorial on the subject with this bit of tepid understatement: “If mammoth, marathon rock concerts continue to be allowed on the public grounds under the Department of Interior s jurisdiction, and there are further disor ders, all of the other fine events that Washingtonians and visitors have come to enjoy over the years are bound to suffer.” Yes, indeedee. If that is to be the white liberal position anent what the same editorial called “a series of frightening spectacles that left hundreds injured, robbed and otherwise terrorized,” we might as well put George Corley Wallace in the White House now. Or, to put it another way, why have the liberals so lost their nerve and self-confidence they can’t say we won’t counte nance such behavior anywhere, anytime, much less a few hundred yards from the Casa Blanca itself? Do they, in a half-conscious way, know they are in a false position? Human Kindness Day, after all, is but one manifestation of our annual summer pacifica tion program. Kid the kids with rock concerts, classes in bongo drum playing, and throw enough money around to keep the little muggers off the streets till the cold weather drives them indoors again. We wouldn’t put on free rock concerts if these antisocial characters had jobs and the dough to buy a ticket to hear their music. To restate the obvious, they know they have no future and no stake in our society other than to vamp on it, even if they don’t know that none of the proposals to reorder our economics to include them has received serious debate, let alone action. Even a meaningful effort to change the minimum wage laws to provide youth with job opportunities would require some sacrifice and adjustment on the part of the liberal status quo But since that’s not forthcoming, liberals compensate by espousing the therapy, rehabilitation, social work, penal reform and half-way houses which conservatives despise as ‘ permissive’' and others recognize as ineffectual sham. In truth every day in Washington and many other places is Human Kindness Day with the difference that members of both races are victims. The sugges tions you hear trom some blacks about what to do with the malefactors make Wallace sound like a char ter member of the American Civil Liberties Union. Cut off their right hands, tell the police to commit sum mary execution on the spot, etc., etc. But before we re all turned into Wallace voters out of pure terror, we might remind ourselves of the chain of evasions and betrayals that so robs people of faith in their society they no longer have the guts to enforce its laws. Welcome, America, to Washington and the Bicentennial, and be sure to bring your daughters. Copyright, 1975, The Washington Post-King Fea tures Syndicate Letters Arab history not pure It is difficult for me to believe that the Organization of Arab Students in Eugene is made up of people who are as blatantly ignorant and hate-filled as those who wrote the letter entitled “Palestinian Struggle” on May 16. Do they really think that any rational per son will believe that either side is totally good or bad? No nation in the history of the world has been created without blood, propaganda, and displacement. Are they trying to tell us that they are different, that they are somehow pure and righteous in the middle of this violent world? If they are rooiisn enough to think that we will fall for that, it gives one an interesting view of their opinion of our intelligence...and of their own gullibility. It is very difficult to get a realistic under standing of any complicated conflict; it is often easiest if one goes to relatively unin volved sources of information. In this case I suggest reading the many well documented accounts left by the British. Though they actively worked against the creation of Israel, they kept track accurately of the events which led to its recognition in 1948, reporting the good and bad on each side. Leal? Maher Senior, English ‘The finest professor I was saddened to learn of Dean Rea's resignation from the School of Journalism faculty. Mr. Rea was the finest professor I had in my four years at the University, and I know many other past and present students would agree. His courses were difficult and his stan dards high, but I learned more from him than I did from any other teacher. Perhaps this was because he provided a large ele ment of “off-campus” reality that is too often lacking in University course offerings. Certainly, the lessons I learned from Mr. Rea in reporting, editing and press law con tributed a great deal to my work on met ropolitan newspapers in Honolulu, Hawaii and Auckland, New Zealand. Still, I have the greatest respect for Mr. Rea’s decision to leave the teaching pro fession when he feels he has enough of it. I wish him the best of luck in his next under taking, whatever it may be. John G. Anderson Queenstown, New Zealand Class of 1971 Pressures of reporting After reading “IFC votes no money for women’s athletics" which appeared in Monday’s (May 19, 1975) Oregon Daily Emerald I was dismayed that: (1) it was the mistaken impression given by Marcie Healy that all members of the IFC concurred with Jane Aiken’s recommendation for zero funding of WIA and (2) that little of the de bate or issues were adequately presented in the article. After serving two years on the IFC, I have never written a letter to the Emerald com plaining of my own ‘bad press’ despite all of the false or derogatory comments afforded me by the paper. However, in this article, the students as a whole were not well served. The article paid strict allegiance to the incorrect beliefs of the Chairer. Nothing in the way of opposition was accounted for or even casually noticed. This, in itself, con stitutes an insult to WIA I do not write this letter to take my disting uished colleagues to task, merely to point out that other points of view do exist and were ignored by the Emerald. This seems especially true for the issues surrounding the WIA budget as Jane’s recommenda tions were passed by only four of the seven members of IFC after very "limited" debate. Beyond all of this, lies the sad facts of this particular committee action. The Emerald failed to perceive that the committee action was as much the result of personality alignments and relationships as it was based on any meaningful discussion or in vestigation. The Emerald failed to see that this committee action constitutes an unwar ranted slap on the wrist for the women’s athletic program and for the intelligence of the students as a whole. The Committee action certainly casts doubts on the future of athletics at the University of Oregon, and in the final analysis, will serve no one well. The only thing this action will foster is dis -— (S5K£J2S5rJ7'/£ 'WONDERFUL—BUT I WISH JERRY VKUMEEP US INFORMED ON JUSTWHAT HETS UPTO/' content, bitterness, and for some, heartbreak. This is a pity, in my opinion, especially if such action was proposed by a spirit of frustration or vindictiveness and voted upon, in large part, in ignorance. Some of these views could have been explored by the Emerald. I realize that the pressures of reporting are great, but then, who asked me? Well, certainly not the Emerald! Bill Dick IFC member Political Science and Engliah No ‘faffing' matter I’ve been humiliated sir, the Football Team snickers at me everytime each and every member can. This, I don’t under stand. They say that I’m Humorous and everything I do, is something designed to elicit comedy in a situation and just because I submitted a 200,001.99 Dollar request to the IFC for this coming year to help support the Fencing Team, THEY LAFFEDM! I submit sir that the Fencing Team of the U of O wins more than once a season; that alone should stop THEIR LAFFTER. I also submit that Fencing develops Bodies to be supple, helps minds become agile, quick and wiry (good for debate) and it is guaranteed non-physically harmful tho.Jt is addicting. It also develops a high degree of Competitiveness AND...only those who Fence know wot those little squats and forefinger circles, you must make to control the Foil, Does for S-E-X. It also makes you quick on your feet.... I say sir, that the Football Team has a finer line of B.S. to even go on the field each year in comparison to the high virtues one can gleen from just one hour of Fencing. Wots $200,001.99 cents anyway? Thomas M. Condon Capt. Fencing Team Sociology Alias, The Mot Feedback follow-up On April 28, a letter of mine appeared in the Emerald. It requested that students who desired to make anonymous input regard ing the quality of teaching and curriculum in the College of Education's teacher training programs contact me. I have received enough feedback to arrange a meeting. In terested students who wish to formulate suggestions for curriculum improvement which will be submitted to the College of Education can meet at the lower lounge in the new EMU area, adjacent to the informa tion booth, on Thursday, May 22, at 8 p.m. Jim Dietrich Graduate, College of Education
