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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 5, 1981)
opinion va irs Black leaders I am writing to challenge a statement attributed to Gemma Grott of the newly formed "Black Liberation Support Com mittee" in the story by Stephen Knight on page 3 of the April 14 Emerald. It was reported that the BLSC, com posed of a group of white University students with a "progressive” outlook, wishes to help support the struggle of black Americans for justice and equality by combating racism "through educat ing whites about the condition of blacks." This is all well and good, except that Miss Grott and her cohorts should have their facts straight before beginning their "educational” venture! I refer specifical ly to the following statement attributed to Grott: "Black civil right groups led by whites have had the tendency to com promise black goals.” The two oldest civil rights organizai tions in the United States are the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Urban League. The executive directors of these two organizations are Benjamin Hooks and Vernon Jordan, respectively — both of whom are black Americans who have been actively involved on the front lines of the struggle for racial justice in Amer ica for many years. They are articulate, courageous, and responsibly assertive men whose characters reflect all that is honorable and forthright in the quest for a more inclusive and just American society If Grott had these organizations in mind when she asserted that black civil rights groups have been "led by whites,” the record will show that she is grossly misinformed on this point! Ronald J. Rousseve Professor of counselor education Right-wing tabloid In reference to Steve Fogelson's ti rade, "Unprofessional rag,” April 27, I find myself wondering exactly where he is coming from. Certainly he has raised a number of valid criticisms concerning the Emerald, most of which could have been summarized under his plea for objective reporting. The Emerald is sor ely lacking in objectivity in reporting and perspective in editorials. On the other hand, Mr. Fogelson’s continuous calls for conservatism seem at odds with his plea for balance. rnmm Page 4 msCHLARY! REALLY!!' Concerning his comment on the Emerald staff's “drug-crazed liberal view of the world,’’ this judgement on his part, besides contradicting his position for “balance and perspective,” is at least in part utter bullshit. While I can’t speak with authority concerning the "drug crazed” nature of the Emerald staff, anyone who considers the moderate Emerald a “liberal” newspaper must be so reactionary as to verge on facism. It is one of the more conservative school papers I have encountered, on either coast. As to Mr. Fogelson’s being a member of your "captive audience,” if he has been coming back to this University for seven years, he deserves whatever he finds here, including its paper. Hiawatha Graduate, music & philosophy Listen to the vet There was a curious composition to the conference of Vietnam era veterans held recently at the University. The emo 1 tion engendered by the powerful film, "Hearts and Minds,” was in strong con trast to the rational professional attitude of certain conference speakers. Their ceaseless use of the word "problems” ("lifestyle problems," “drinking and drug problems," "employment problems," etc.) in association with the veterans was misleading. The vet exhibits symptoms, but he does not have problems. The problem is the U S. military: sending young boys to fight in undeclared and unprovoked wars; The problem is Corporate America: eager to exploit the worlds peoples and resources; the problem is a complacent society: seduced, taken in, and bought off by "the good life." I found it intolerable, therefore, to listen to employment counselors tell us that although veterans unemployment is expected to increase from its present 20 percent to 40 or even 60 percent, "we must still work within the system." Is it not ironic that the same vet, fighting in Vietnam, increasing corporate profit, is now asked by the "helping professions" to be "gainfully employed,” increasing corporate profit? Counselors might listen to what the vets are saying by their high unemployment record. As Jack McClosky, a vet, said, "the frustration we feel, the alienation we feel, the anger we feel, these are all signs of sanity." Some vets don’t want to adjust back into a society that tolerates genocide in the name of profit. They are keeping the rage. We could do well to hear them. Linda Kanzinger Senior, general literature Macho tirade Tuesday, I was treated to another ma cho tirade about grinding labor paying off in the long run, another gutsy, man against-the-odds, true-life account of American heroism. Spare me. I'm sure if there was a contest, the Emerald would be flooded with similar brags from peo ple opting for the "toughest guy on campus” award. Not just the men, either — I and other women can boast of work ing long hours for low pay in the most degrading, pore-clogging, sweat-rolling work available. Let’s see who’s the most cruelly exploited — wait’ll after this year, when most of the middle and lower class people won't be able either to stay in school or find a job, not even a filthy one. Don’t worry, taxes won't go to feed these sloths, but to build up the military That’s what democracy is all about, eh? Mental labor counts for nil in this society, so the trme we spend gaining academic achievements is wasted — we should have spent the time sweating our butts off for wages, because sure as cuts in financial aid those who can’t pay aren’t going to go to school. At this rate, it’ll take me 15 years to get my BA, but by that time my taxes invested in nuclear weapons will have paid off, and I won’t need it, anyway. Lonni Sexton Sophomore, undeclared Share IFC dollars When we read that the IFC was cutting back the subsidies given to the limited elitist campus centered childcare, and instead spreading that money around to other student parents, we were very unhappy. Even in the dark era of Ronald Reagan, there are glimmerings of hope. In responding to Linda Audrain's and co-signer’s letter to the Emerald, April 28, entitled, “Runaway IFC,” there are many points to contend. First, it IS discrimination to give so much money to a very limited program when there are many other parent students who could use a little more childcare help. In fact, by your own reckoning, 78 percent of the total student parent population is being ignored! Second, how will the IFC “increase the cost of childcare"? Unless she means her own costs at the campus center. I'm sorry that those parents who have been the lucky few might have to pay more, but maybe it’s time that more than a select few should benefit Third, the quality of care is and should be determined by the parents, not over seen by bureaucratic control as she suggests. And there are many federal and state licensed childcare programs in the Eugene community comparable if not superior to the campus center, and some at less cost. Fourth, those student parent "who barely scrape by now” are those who haven’t been blessed as one of the precious elect to receive the graces of the campus center program. Now maybe the financial load will be eased equila terally among all student parents, and not just for the 22 percent “already operating at capacity " Beth Danforth Sophomore, health education Daniel Danforth Senior, history Ttiesdav. Mav 5. 1981
