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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (March 3, 1978)
Letters Disheartening list It is disheartening that in the list of “black people” whose achievements should be honored in National Black History Month (Emerald Letters, Feb. 21) there is no mention of the late Carter G. Woodson who literally gave his life to raising Afro-American history to the dignity of a recognized schol arly discipline, notably through his founding and editing of The Jour nal of Negro History. One might also think that in Black History Month recognition should be given to such present day scholarly historians as Rayford W. Logan, Benjamin Quarles, John Hope Franklin, and also to the creative writers who made literature by Afro Americans an unsegregated part of American literature—the poets Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, Sterling Brown, the novelists Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, Ernest Gaines — to men tion only a few in these categories. Toussaint L’Ouverture, De ssalines, Henry Christophe, could they be resurrected — would they be enraged or amused to learn that Nat Turner was ‘‘the leader in one of the most successful revolts in history”? Yours for more history in Black History Month, Kenneth Porter Professor Emeritus of History Disguised in humor Dan Todd’s February 27 letter responding to the Daily Emerald’s article on the “Fascinating Womanhood Course” reminded me dearly of Jock Hatfield’s ap proach to Christianity. Recently, I too have completed a scathing treatise of the Bible which I believe not even the strongest Christian can withstand. I feel certain that my criticism will shake the foundations of even the most diligent missionaries, the most pious priests and the most prayer-laden laymen. As a defender of the Agnostic/Atheistic Faith, I’ve taken my hell-heated typewriter and really shown Christians their self-deception. The key to my at tack on the Bible lies in hiding be hind the disguise of humor. Not only does this method avoid facing the uncomfortable histori cal facts of Christianity, but it gives me the option of employing my greatest weapon, “the cheap shot.” This style also permits me the privilege of deep, engaging criti cism without bothering with the mundane, unnecessary chore of looking seriously at the Bible in its entirety as a book with a beginning and an end. The most valuable aspect of criticising the Bible in this manner is that it neatly avoids facing that troublesome rabbi, Jesus Christ. No, instead of confronting Jesus, the cornerstone of Christ ianity, I can traipse through the Berean Bookstore, take a one eyed look at the “I Found It” cam paign and even go out of my way to find an obscure class in a nearby church. I can present these things as Christianity in its entirety. This, combined with a shotgun approach to the Bible, puts a slam on Jesus Christ with out ever dealing with him. No sir, there’s no need to fool with an intimidating opponent Page 4, such as Jesus when I can pick on people like Anita Bryant and Billy Graham. Unfortunately, my fearless, creative criticism of scripture has been repeatedly rejected by repu table publications, so I'm hoping for a feature spot in a special edi tion of the Daily Emerald. Michael Dieni Senior, Journalism Can’t ask for more After spending Friday night sleeping on a cement surface be hind Mac Court and risking my physical well-being to get in the door on Saturday, I find it a little difficult to accept Becky Beaman’s criticism of Oregon basketball fans. I can t help but feel that our fans responded to the 26 point thrash ing at the hands of UCLA with as much enthusiasm as anyone in the Pac-8 has been able to muster this year. Every good effort by the Ducks was rewarded with cheers that afternoon and I honestly don't see how you can ask for much more than that. If you really believe that Oregon fans are second-rate, just attend a few games at other schools under similar circumstances, or, better yet, attend an Oregon football game. Then, you will see lethargic fans at their best. And one more thing. After hear ing the Oregon fight song for the umpteenth time, nobody feels like standing and singing, especially during an intense moment. -* All in all, Becky, your letter was a poor representation of the spi rited legions who have supported the team during lean times. You should be more appreciative. Jim Powell Sophomore, Physics Play it again Jock Over the past two years there has been one Emerald writer who has consistently captured my at tention with his interesting and en tertaining articles. A writer who has roasted God and gotten away with sanctifying grace. A writer who has imbued cockroaches with more personality than some people I know. And a writer who undoubtedly possesses the abil ity, through the power of his pen, to bring cadavers back to life. Here's to readin' you Jock Hat field. Tom Visoky Junior, Journalism Inexcusable actions In responding to Valerie Wood’s letter ‘ Confine it to a Hole” in last Friday's Emerald, I would like to apologize for the inexcusable ac tions of a few. It is unfortunate that such incidents take place, regard less of who the culprit is. However, it is too bad that Wood blames the Greek system for this rudeness, even if her ac cusations are true. It was not the Greek system that threw the eggs, it was a few individuals within the system. Furthermore, whether Greeks or non-Greeks were in volved is of no significance. What is important is that human beings disrespectfully and rudely in fringed on another human's rights. Being a proud member of the Greek system and of SAE, I take extreme offense to Wood’s allega tions concerning the Greek sys tem. The inferences about simper ing sorority sisters are unproven, uncalled for and ridiculous. Label ing women simply because of their affiliation with the Greek sys tem, simpering sorority sisters shows the same disrespect that was shown her. I am not, nor are the large major ity of Greeks, “overaged adoles cents whose mentality, maturity and academic performance is roughly equal to that of a drunken moron who delights in throwing eggs at midnight." Wood's allega tions concerning the Greek sys tem are as inexcusable as the ac tions of anyone throwing eggs at her. Mark Gram Sophomore, Accounting AD fund raiser It is obvious from your reports of the ongoing incidental fee budget hearings that a lot of campus groups need money. Unfortu nately there is a limited amount to draw from and so these groups should seek other ways to raise money. This Saturday, March 4, the Ath letic Department is sponsoring a Jogathon and all campus groups, clubs, teams and organizations are welcome to use it to raise money for themselves. Last year, the average earnings among participating groups was $2,000. This enabled such groups to adopt a more active role in promoting their causes. This year, the solicitation pro cedure has been simplified. Group members need only pro vide the Athletic Department with a list of addresses of potential sponsors and the A.D. will do the rest (i.e. seek the pledge and col lect the money). Of course you can also solicit pledges person ally. Of the money raised, the group will receive 50 percent, the A.D. 25 percent and the organizing company 25 percent. Options such as prizes, a “look-alike” contest and free tee shirts exist and you can obtain de tails and forms from the Athletic Department in Mac Court. It’s a good way to solve all of our financial problems. Brian Chapman Graduate student, Physical Education Letters policy The Emerald will accept and try to print all letters and opinion columns containing fair comment on ideas and topics of concern or interest to the University community. Letters and opinions must be typewritten, using 65-char acter margins, and should be triple-spaced. Letters and opinions must be signed, with the author's year and field of study (or faculty status) noted. Letters and opinions will be run on a first-come first-served basis. r----opinion — Protest Iran’s dictatorship Submitted by Kaveh Ahangar of the Iranian Students Association On Saturday, Feb. 18, and Sunday, Feb. 19, 1978, thousands of people from all walks of life rose up in protest in Tabriz (a city in the pro vince of Azarbayejan). Through chanting slogans such as "death to the traitor Shah" and death to this fascist rule," thousands of people, men and women, young and old, rose up in protest against the dictatorial rule of the Shahs regime and U.S. involvement in their country. In an approach typical of all the dictators and fascists throughout history, the notorious Shah called in hundreds of SAVAK agents, the army and his police force, all armed to the teeth and ordered them to "shoot to kill.” This resulted in the cold-blooded murder of over 500 innocent and unarmed people and brought severe injury to hundreds of others. It has been suggested by a number of ob servers that the mass uprising was a protest to the bloody massacre of 300 people at the hands of the government goons in the city of Quom that occured on Jan. 9th, 1978. A few days prior to the Feb. uprising, the following s ogan was written on the walls of various cities of Iran: "Saturday is general uprising in com memoration of the martyrs of Quom.” The mass demonstration had begun on 11 a.m. on Saturday morning from Darai street in Tabriz and its destination was the headquarters of the "Resurrection Party." On their way to the center, the people had managed to destroy over 73 banks linked with various foreign in vestments and corporations, 82 government vehicles (military), 4 hotels, a "youth" club house, the “Resurrection Party” headquarters and all its offices throughout the city...etc., all of which were various agencies representing the dictatorial government and had been es tablished in order to suppress the peoples’ resistance and control them in every step of their lives. According to the people of Tabriz, all the hospitals of the city are filled with the people wounded in the shootout and hundreds of people have been picked up by SAVAK agents and are currently in jail undergoing tor ture. What has happened in Tabriz this month is an extension of a number of such mass mur ders carried out by the fascist Shah’s hench men, and will continue in spite of the savage killings. As long as the present political and economic situation that is breaking the back of the Iranian people and turning their life into living hell prevails in our country: the people have but one choice, to fight back. We, the Iranian Student Association in the U.S., the (ISAUS), strongly condemn such savage and barbaric actions taken by the well hated Iranian government against the people of Tabriz and in complete solidarity with our brothers and sisters back in Iran, we also will stand up in protest all over the U.S. and Europe. We further believe that the American people have every right to learn about the crimes committed in Iran under the direct supervision of the U.S. government and its agents, such as William H. Sullivan, in that .country. Thus we demand that an immediate investigation be carried out about the recent events which have taken place in Iran and its results be released to the American public.
