Letters to the editor Our purpose is higher than that of Horowitz In a manner that some might understandably assume is simply a marketing strategy for his book, author David Horowitz has placed, or attempted to place, full-page ads in campus newspa pers at several dozen of our coun try’s leading universities, includ ing our own University. Horowitz lobs simple catch phrases and slogans into a set of issues that are complex and divisive. He has a right to do so — to be simplis tic, and if he chooses, even to be cynically provocative. Different institutions have re sponded to Horowitz’s ad in dif ferent manners. Our University has the opportunity to respond in ways that show our distinctive strengths. This week our Univer sity benefits from the hard work and leadership of students, who have organized the “Dr. Edwin Coleman Conference,” and then May 11 our Wayne Morse Center sponsors its conference on “Libor in a Global Economy.” These academic and institu tional settings are important ven ues for students, faculty and staff to focus on race, class, inclusion and social justice. These are ven ues in which ideas are explored, illuminated and constructively challenged. Further, we are launching this year our Center on Diversity and Community, with the purpose of engaging us in constructive research, conversa tion and public service concern ing the societal challenges and opportunities developing as our society faces its diversity. Horowitz’s purpose can be to sell books. That is his right. Our purpose is a higher one — to build community, to honor iden tity within community and to en gage in thoughtful and respectful conversation. . Dave Frohnmayer president University of Oregon ‘Coon’ is short for ‘raccoon’ Oh, please. Dr. Coleman may indeed be a wise man, but he is no etymologist. He chastises a friend ( “MCC gears up for ac tivism, diversity,” ODE, April 18) for saying “coon’s age,” claiming it is racist. While “coon” itself is a derogatory and racist term relat ing to blacks, other uses are en tirely unrelated to race. It is very simply a colloquial term for rac coon. Blacks and other historically oppressed minorities have plenty of real reasons for claiming vic tim status; there’s no need to start making up new ones. Mark R. Baker class of‘85 Gladstone, Ore. Editor's note: According to fa book titled “I Hear America Talk ing, ” by Stuart Berg Flexner, coon was originally a short form for raccoon in 1741, went through several other meanings, then be came a reference for a black per son by 1862. According to the "Enyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins,” the phrase “a coon’s age, ” meaning a very long time, is an Americanism first recorded in 1843 and probably related to the old English expression ‘‘in a crow’s age. ” • money-saving coupons • good all term Available at the Emerald office (Suite 300, EMU). Oregon Daily Emerald jddvertise in Oregon foaily Emerald Classifieds! Call 346-4343! endless possibilities 2 2 2 2 Centennial B I Money Grab @ 11:00 pm • $2 Chinese Food Special • Hip - Hop and House music • Cheap Drinks