Editorial
Student protests are
atypical revolution
Given the character of the Cultural Revolution. China's
bloody revolution of 1966-76 that put the current communist
government in power, the recent student protests in China
and the government's response come as a shock.
The protests have not been marked by violence or sup
pression; at worst, the press has condemned the protesters
as being "anarchists” and of being manipulated by
troublemakers. Twenty-four students were held briefly last
week, but all have been released.
Some Chinese professors have claimed the tono of the
protests is reminiscent of the Cultural Revolution, but the
facts seem to indicate otherwise.
The students' demands are quite moderate, including a
broad range of topics from reforms in local elections to
cafeteria food at the universities to allowing for a free press.
Some officials, mostly those critical of the pro-Western
tendencies of current Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, finally
came out in strong criticism of the students after four weeks
of protest. Deng and other members of the ruling Politburo
have not yet made public their opinion on the marches.
The students have been exposed to a broader education
than previous generations of Chinese were allowed under
communist rule — many now have even studied abroad.
The students have had a taste of democratic freedoms
and are justifiably pushing for reform to come faster than
current policies allow.
The students' chances for success may be dim in tightly
controlled Chinese society, but regardless of what success
their protests have, the students themselves will carry with
them their ideals for democratic reforms. It is only a matter
of time and dedication before these ideas overcome the ad
ministrative inertia that resists reform.
Thus, the protests in China are entirely encouraging,
particularly in view of China's gradual economic changes
that have allowed the slow introduction of market forces.
The last round of protests have ended for the time being
with the students calling on Deng to respond to their pro
tests. The new revolution is postponed for now — because
exams are starting.
Kesey's remarks exhibit
author's callous attitude
Author Ken kesey was awarded the University’s
Pioneer Award shortly before winter break; the presentation
was attended by people protesting remarks about homosex
uality and AIDS attributed to Kesey in the June issue of
Esquire.
The protesters handed out flyers to the guests of the
presentation criticizing Kesey for his remarks. Although
awards often are given to controversial figures, the pro
testers were justified in criticizing Kesey. whose remarks in
Esquire were offensive and callous.
In the article. Kesey speculated that gays are not happy
though they may claim to be. and he criticized anal sex as
being unnatural and thus destructive. He also is attributed
with claiming that concern over AIDS has hampered his ef
forts to pick up "jellybeans” — i.e. women.
These remarks are not only offensive to gay people and
those stricken with AIDS, but to anyone who believes AIDS
should be treated as a serious and tragic disease.
We agree with Kesey when he later admitted these were
dumb things to say. His remarks were bigoted and un
necessary. offending homosexuals, women. AIDS victims
and many others — there is already enough misunderstan
ding about homosexuality and AIDS today.
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CHRISTMAS IS OVB?,
NANCY... LETS GAIHER UP
EVERYTHING V/E NEED
TO EXCHANGE...
Letters
Appreciative
Several Months ago. a little
known non-profit organization
approached the University seek
ing help It asked for help in
designing a unique recreational
retreat center dedicated to
Oregon’s abused, neglected and
troubled youth
For this past term. 31 Univer
sity students have creatively ap
proached a unique problem
How do you design a camp,
recreational retreat and profes
sional conference center for
year-round use on the Oregon
coast? More importantly, how
do you account for the special
needs of victims of abuse and
neglect?
Under the able guidance of
professors Glenda and Mike
Utsey. architectural studios 380
and 585 have done just that!
Their expertise in researching
the delicate architectural issues
relating to our proposed com
plex was impressive.
The opportunity for the
students to learn about the daily
experiences of abused and
neglected youth added an im
portant human and social factor
to be considered in their work.
The foundation has received
expert design advice relating to
our effort at developing the na
tion's only recreational retreat
dedicated to abused and
neglected youth.
The University students in
volved have gained a unique
education. Not only have they
experienced a professional
design project, they did so in a
programmatic environment
dealing with the pain and
trauma of child abuse. One stu
dent related that "the social
education was more important
than the architectural
education.”
On behalf of Oregon’s abused
and neglected children, The
Melinda Foundation publicly
thanks you for your efforts. As
we progress toward our goals,
we will always remember the
joy of working with you!
Steve Norris
Executive director
The Melinda Foundation
Extinction
The major tenet of Darwinism
is that any trait which interferes
with the reproduction of a
species is maladaptive and will
be weeded out. Ironically,
secularism itself is an anti
evolutionary. maladaptive trait
within the human species.
In a recent television inter
view dealing with the problems
developing due to too low
birthrates in America and
Europe, a demographics expert
was asked how birthrates could
be increased.
His response was that increas
ed evangelism would help since
more spiritually oriented peo
ple tend to raise larger families.
That actually makes sense.
After all, if one loves God, has
purpose in life, and hope for the
future, they’ll be more likely to
welcome the opportunity to
bring up children.
Unfortunately, the long-range
result of a secular outlook has
been, and continues to be.
nihilism (the loss of purpose).
Generally, this leads to a ‘‘live
for the present” outlook,
selfishness, self-indulgence and
loss of the desire to assume
lasting responsibility.
So when the secular man or
woman puts career before fami
ly, and materialism before
inaternalism. few children are
born into their ranks — and
their genetics are weeded out of
the gene pool forever.
The problems threatening to
weaken and destroy Western
nations can best be eliminated if
people will reject the "me first"
secular philosophy. Otherwise,
more traditional family
oriented societies will prevail
while our "modem" society
declines into self-inflicted
extinction.
Michael Crow
Graduate, political science
aad hietory
Oregon Daily
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