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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 6, 1987)
Editorial English-only rule prevents culture In an ethnocentric move the Tornillo, Texas, school board has asked parents to punish their children if the students are caught speaking Spanish in the classroom. Because state and federal laws stop schools from punishing students only for speaking a language other than English, the school board sent letters to the parents asking them to discipline their children if they are caught. The program is supposed to encourage the students to learn and to speak English. Scores on national mathematics, reading and language skill tests are consistently below average in Tornillo schools. But while school officials may force these children to speak English, they also are teaching them to ignore their native culture. Forty percent of the Tornillo students only speak Spanish, or little English, and 60 percent of the parents don't speak any English. The schools have a responsibility to integrate students into society But this cannot be done at the cost of the family nr the culture. Many problems undoubtedly will arise if the parents consent to this idea. Students may suffer from culture shock or a lack of iden tity. In school they will be taught that English is the only language worth learning, while their home life will center around the Spanish language and culture Granted, if the students learn English they will have an easier time adapting to different cultures. However, there are better ways of teaching them. English as a second language programs exist and should be improved as an alternative to this forceful form of learn ing. The school isn't teaching them English, they're threatening them. The board’s intentions are good, but their actions are not in the students’ best interests. Man's best friend suffers in master's exercise Remember those Humane Society commercials asking us not to leave our clogs In a car during the summer? “Hot enough to fry an egg-Hot enough to fry a clog's brain .'* It's a morbid thought but one to take seriously. While we enjoy the warm summer weather we should not forget our fine, furry friends. leaving pets in the car. however, is just one problem. lately we have noticed people riding their bicycles and exercising their dogs at the same time. Similarly, people jog with their dogs and expect the animals to keep up on the five-mile trek. It is not fair to make a dog exercise without proper con ditioning. After all. we warm up before we work out and never exceed our limit. This same consideration for health and safety should be extended to the dog. Some pets are capable of running alongside their masters. They have the strength and stamina. Hut smaller dogs arc- not built for this type of exercise. In these cases it is best to leave the pet at home or casually walk it later. We should give our pets the same respect we give to our human friends. As spring rolls in, it is important to remember that the animals have an extra coat on, and therefore cannot withstand the same temperatures. It can get hot enough to fry an egg. Please don't fry your dog. TVWS MAN TAKE A BIGGER MIRACLE TUAN \ TWOUGHT...J kw Special thanks We would like to thank all .students who took an active role in selecting their next student government, and we are proud that you have selected us. Special thanks go to Concern ed Students for Responsive leadership, the Greek Kndorse rnent Committee. the Oregon Daily Kmerald and the Student Athlete Team Council for your support and endorsement — thanks for taking the time to in terview candidates and make an informed decision. This election was a difficult one, and we thank all of the can didates that ran for caring enough to publicly stand up for what you believe. Students had an array of choices for the future of their student government — and a record number of students took advantage of this opportunity. Now that the election is over, we would like to clarify some of the campaign rhetoric which poorly represented our position on issues. Minority recruitment and retention is vital to this campus and to our administration. We will have a Minority Affairs Coordinator in the Executive to Oregon Daily Emerald The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Monday through Friday except during exam week and vacations by Ihe Oregon Dally Emerald Publishing Co . at the University or Oregon, Eugene. Oregon. 97403 The Emerald operates independently ot the University with offices on the third lloor ot the Erb Memorial Union and is a member ot the Associated Press The Emerald is private property The unlawful removal or use of papers Is prosecutable by law General Stall Advertising Director Susan Thelen Production Manager Wayne Michael lottinville Classified Advertising Alyson Simmons Assistant to the Publisher dean Ownbey Advertising Sales: Peter laFleur l Sales Manager Teresa Acosta. Janelle Heitmann. Catherine Lilia. Rick Mart;. Joseph Menrel, Joan Wildermuth Advertising Apprentices: Ten Boring. Heather Mull. Bar bars Rogers. Julie Paul News and Editorial 666 5S11 Display Advertising and Business 686 3712 Classified Advertising 688-4343 Letter Perfect Graphics 68frS$11 Production 686 4381 Circulation 686 SS11 Editor Managing Editor News Editor Spectrum Editor Spectrum Assistant Editor Editorial Page Editors Sports Editor Photo Editor Spectrum Photo Editor Graphics Editor Night Editor Associate Editors Community Politics Higher Education r Administration University Affairs Student Government Student Activities General Assignment General Assignment Michelle Brence Lucinda Dillon Michael Rivers Stephen Maher Stanley Nelson Michael Drummond Angie Munu Dennis Fernandes Maria Corvallis John Giustma Lorraine Rath Michael Rivers Janei Paulson B J Thomsen Chris Norred Laurie Schwartr Carolyn Lamberson Sarah Kitchen Alicia Gano Scott Maben Reporters: Jackie Barry. Mary Courtis. Gary Henley Photographers: Shertyn Biorkgren. Shu Shing Chen. Der rel Hewitt. Tim Jones. Bobble Lo. Dan Wheeler Production: Michele Ross f Ad Coordinator Supervisors: Sandra Bevans Shu Shmg Chen. Eliot Knight. Angela Munir. Ingrid White Technicians: Kelly Alexandre Ronwm Nicole Ashton. Virginia Baniaga. Samantha Barbitta. Sara Briscoe. Janet Emery, Judith Gatr. Lisa Haggerty. Jung Lee. Donna Leslie. Bobbie Lo. Kelli Mason. Mike McGraw. Rob Miles. Diana Moy. Julie Paul. Serena Williams explore the problems and for mulate effective solutions. We encourage anyone concerned about minority issues to apply for this position and to actively work with the ASUO Executive to improve the situation. Child care has always been important to us. We are elated that the students voted to in crease the staff support for this program W'e are committed to finding additional NON STUDENT support for the program. We take seriously the pro mises made during the cam paign — the most important of which is for accessible govern ment. We will always be available to listen to your con cerns and suggestions. Thanks again for your support! Kasey Brooks President-elect Karen Gaffney Vice president-elect Draw the line I have thought a lot about the police action in the Churchill High School strike confronta tion since 1 first heard about it. It is easy to take our freedoms for granted. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to stand up for our rights or we risk their erosion. 1 have always been a law-and order supporter. I believe in capital punishment. 1 believe in victims' rights and in getting tough with criminals. I do not. however, believe in 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 letting our cops unnecessarily beat up honest, hard-working citizens without challenging them I'm not saying this is what happened, but if it is we need to draw a hard line right here or next time it might be you or me. We can't open the door for people who would abuse this kind of authority. We don’t need a police state in America. What we IX) need is an in dependent accounting of what happened Monday morning. In dependent of the school district, the teachers' union and our municipal government. 1 would suggest a citizens com mission appointed by the governor. Stand up for yourselves De mand your rights. If the police did nothing wrong nothing will happen to them. If they were out of line the offending officers should be suspended and charg ed with assault and battery, just as any other citizen would be We need to send a strong message to these public ser vants. They are accountable for what they do. This kind of thing will not be tolerated. Al Steinberry MFA student Sorry Blake Upon reading a letter that was published in the April 29 Kmerald. a realization came to me: There are many people that actually thrive on attention. Mr. Sliter is a textbook exam ple of a person who feels in need of attention. Difficulties arise when people in a com munity. like the University, realize that the kind of attention that Mr. Sliter is attracting is negative. It is most possible that Mr. Sliter is in dire need of help, but that is neither here nor there. Simply realizing that this phenomenon exists is enough. Sorry Blake. Mark Gustavson Political science
