Racism in Oregon
a problem of apathy
Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech ex
emplifies the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Unfor
tunately, for most people under 30 this is the only
knowledge of civil rights they have. It has become a few
paragraphs in a history text void of emotion or reality.
The basic freedoms and equalities King and his
followers fought for are now taken for granted. Aside from a
few incidents in the South, nobody expects racism to hap
pen in the '80s — especially in Oregon. But it doesoccur.
The derogatory Noti pub signs and racism complaints to
the Eugene School Board are two recent examples. The news
of these strong racist feelings hitting so close to home has
shocked most Oregonians. We never think it can happen
here.
But it is important to realize that racism is occurring in
Oregon and in the rest of the nation. And this new upswing
of discrimination is hampering the progress made by the
Civil Rights Movement.
State Labor Commissioner Mary Wendy Roberts has fil
ed a complaint against John Masepohl, the owner of The Pub
tavern in Noti. Roberts acted on information about signs for
bidding “niggers” in the bar and signs supporting apart
heid. Apparently, the signs and other racial paraphernalia
have been in The Pub for several years. But until now
nothing has been done, and no other complaints have been
made.
Masepohl has no qualms about his racist views and has
done nothing to try to hide them. But his statements go
beyond his free speech rights. Under Oregon civil rights
laws places of “public accommodation” cannot
discriminate.
These laws, however, are civil — not criminal — and do
not carry jail sentences or fines. Masepohl may be guilty, but
until this loophole is closed, his only punishment will be
economic.
Probably the most uncomfortable and shocking aspect
of this case is that Masepohl had practiced this discrimina
tion in The Pub for several years. Most in Noti knew about it,
yet nobody did anything to stop it.
This reflects the apathy in the nation regarding civil
rights and racism. The attitude that “This doesn’t happen in
the ’80s” or “We have laws to prevent racism” only hurts
the progress that has been made in the past 20 years. The
laws mean nothing if they are not enforced.
This is the problem black parents are addressing in com
plaints to the Eugene School Board. Parents have informed
the board about name-calling and racism directed at their
children. According to the complaints, these incidents of
discrimination among the children have been ignored by the
teachers.
Black students have been injured and insulted because
of the values other children learn at home; however, the
schools have not tried to stop these incidents. In doing so,
they promote the discrimination.
The school district’s policy regarding racial harassment
carries a punishment of expulsion for students not behaving
in a “socially acceptable manner.” But even though the
policy is specific to the problem, it has not been enforced.
Living in the liberal atmosphere of the University, we
tend to believe Oregon is exempt from the problems of
racism. But these problems are occurring. They can only be
solved when the public opens its eyes to the situation and
decides to remedy it.
Oregon Daily
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— 10ft,»■■ ' 1 1
^YfeffERPAY UPON THE STAIR , I KET A Via PNESlPEHT MHO WASNT THERE ...
HE WASNT THERE ASAIN TOPAV . I WISH URE KOI HE'D 60 AWAY.
Questions
When one has been around
student government as long as I
have, one hears absurdities all
the time.
For example, ASUO Student
Senate chairman Randy Mac
Donald authored a letter entitl
ed “Resignation.” In it he con
cluded that the concerns that 1
and other students have raised
regarding Students for a Pro
gressive Agenda President
.Steve Nelson's handling of stu
dent concerns over the ad
ministration of the student in
surance program were not a
“serious problem."
1 and other ASUO officials
called for the resignation of
Steve Nelson because Steve was
more concerned about the pro
gram than the students and
their legitimate concerns.
A student like Willy Mils
should not have to take out ads
in the Emerald requesting Steve
to act for the students.
Why to this day does Steve
deny that there is a problem?
Why is the insurance commis
sioner stating that there is?
What is Steve hiding from?
Why didn’t Steve act quickly on
the students' concerns?
These are only a few of the
questions Steve has not
answered.
Because Steve would not
answer these questions, we ask
ed for Steve to resign.
In his letter, MacDonald
claims he is not biased and is
only giving his conclusions
after a "fair” investigation. But
given Randy’s close ties to SPA
for two years, his "unbiased"
conclusions have as much
credibility as Richard Nixon
testifying on honesty in
government.
If Randy’s head was not so far
up the derriere of SPA, he could
see that students have serious
questions concerning ASUO’s
handling of the insurance
scandal.
Ron E. Munion
ASUO Incidental Fee Qimmittee
Tables turned
"A woman was arrested on
assault charges Monday in the
EMU courtyard after attacking
one student and a University
security officer who was at
tempting to detain her.” (ODE.
March 10).
1 witnessed a bizarre scene on
Monday, which 1 can find no
reason or justification for. A
man, reported by the Emerald
staff to be David French, was
taking photographs of a woman
who was performing a ritual
and minding her own business.
The woman asked the man to
quit taking photos, several
times, but the man ignored her
requests and kept shooting. The
woman tried to chase the man
away, but he wouldn’t leave,
and he kept shooting.
Finally, the woman hit the
man with some sticks, yelling
obscenities at him. The man
finally left. . .to get the police
and to press charges for an
assault that he provoked. The
woman had suddenly become a
threat to him.
Poor David’s watch was
smashed. Poor David’s ego was
smashed. Poor David.
Letters Policy
The Emerald will attempt to
print all letters containing fair
comment on topics of interest to
the University community.
Letters to the editor must be
limited to 250 words, typed,
signed and the identification of
the writer must be verified when
the letter is turned in. The
Emerald reserves the right to edit
any letter for length or style. Let
ters to the editor should be turn
ed into the Emerald office. Suite
300. EMU.
Now, the woman has been
taken away. Locked up. She’s
no longer a threat. The ques
tions remain though... who
was the victim and who was the
perpetrator? Why doesn’t this
woman have the right to not
have her picture taken? Why
didn’t David respect her
request?
Yes, the woman assaulted the
man. This is clearly against the
law. Yes, the woman’s behavior
was a little odd. This does not
mean she is without feelings or
that we can immediately excuse
her feelings because we do not
understand her actions. What
do you have to say for your own
actions, David?
Kari Rothi
Student
Qualification
In the Wednesday, March 11
edition of the Emerald it was in
dicated that I felt the 4-J School
District had the training to help
student teachers get the most
from their experience.
School District 4-J is one of
many school districts that pro
vide proper guidance and train
ing to student teachers.
I did not say that 4-J was the
ONLY school district qualified
to train student teachers. I’m
sorry for any misinterpretation
this may have caused.
Karen Stone
Elementary education
Bear trap
In reference to Ken
Shindledecker and his animal
trapping that the Register
Guard tried so hard to glorify, 1
have this to say:
You are part of a small
minority of people whose
grotesque coldness brings vile
harm to everyone else.
If the rest of us should be so
lucky, your next step, after set
ting the next trap, will be into a
bear trap that you will be unable
to escape from. Certainly not
before an angry bear discovers
you.
Tommy Walen
Eugene