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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 19, 2000)
2_________ WEdNEsdAy, J anuary 19, 2000 Opinion ThE CI ac I camas P rint Academic freedom or prejudiced opiniori? The Clackamas Print Opinion Editor, SalenaDeLa Cruz interviewed Donald Epstein regarding this statement- "You are better off dead than beinga homosexual "-allegedly madeduringhisJudaic Studies Class. Excerpts below are from that interview as well as the interview The Printhadwith theJosh Alexander, the student whofiled the complaint Alexander Epstein Print: What we heard is that you said, “People are better off dead than being a Alexander: I had two encounters with Epstein, one in the classroom and then I went to him to talk about it. First of all he stated that he was close to retirement homosexual.” and did not care what people thought of what he said or what people said to him. Epstein'. Yeah. That’s what the Bible...1 didn’t say that. It seemed to me that he was just basically saying that he could do whatever he Print". People say you are an outrageous teacher. Epstein'. I am very outrageous. I am politically incorrect. wanted. Basically the biggest thing he said was you are better off dead than being Print'. Do you feel it’s too outrageous sometimes, or just your protocol? Epstein'. Nothing is too outrageous. Students have been exposed to politically homosexual. I know Jewish (belief) does not allow homosexuality..... later in his correct since elementary school and somebody has to stir them up. When we office he showed me in the (Hebrew Bible) where it says men shall not lie next to look at our cultural diversity, we don’t seem to think that even political diversity men as men lie next to women; but in the classroom we had not been talking about is of value. We just have to have different people, all thinking alike. My point of that. It seemed like he said you’re better off being dead than homosexual just to view is I don’t care what kind of people you have, but we don’t all think alike. So, antagonize. He was using that classroom, he was using Judaism and that line in people have to be exposed to different point of views. They are not exposed to the (Bible) as an excuse to bash homosexuals. I told him, I believe everyone has a right to his own opinion, no matter what it different people just because they look different, they need to be exposed to different people that think different. I don’t have to think like those people do is, no matter if I disagree with it or not, but in the classroom I don’t believe you should bring your own prejudices..... and most people think I should. I was disappointed— I signed up for the class because I wanted to learn more Print'. O.k.. Any last takes on it (the student complaint)? Epstein: No, I don’t know what to make of it. It’s normal for students to drop about the Holocaust..... it’s a disappointment not to be able to take a class that is class just because they didn’t particularly think my point of view was valid. I’m objective. not trying to say anything in my defense, but in a Judaic Studies courses if you Print’. Would you feel that way if it were any issue other than homosexuality? don’t cite the Bible—what are you going to cite? I think this is something homo Alexander: Yes, he could be bashing anyone..... it wouldn’t change anything. sexuals don’t seem to appreciate. They think the Bible is invalid. And moral You’re better off dead than homosexual? No one needs to say that, it isn’t rel judgement is invalid. And for the purpose of Judaic Studies the Bible is valid. evant. What if he was to say you’re better off dead than being black? Would that And all judgements are very valid. And I might add that... That which is morally fly? Print: l am going to ask a very hard question—Are you gay? wrong should not be legally right. And that you can quote me on. Alexander: No. Print: How does it feel to be news? Epstein'. I have been news for 30 years. I have been outraging people for 30 Print: So, this is totally a matter of principal for you? Alexander: Yes. years. A Student'sVoice... 'Words will never hurt me' To whom it may concern: I would like to respond to the article regarding being of fended by instructors or mate rial at school. I am reminded of the old phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” While I think that some word are offensive and some may actually hurt your feel ings, we all need to look be low the surface to examine the meaning and behavior behind the words before we form opinions. If an instructor is making statements that are deemed “politically incorrect” is that instructor demonstrating be haviors that actually are bias in nature? For instance, if an instructor says that he is sexist and thinks women have a certain role, does he treat the females in his class differently than the males? Does he grade his stu dents based upon gender? If so, then we have a problem. More than likely, the instructor is fair in his practices and entitled to his own opinion. A popular and charismatic teacher can get away with much more than a teacher with whom you share no common bond. Often, the perception by the students seems to be based on their personal opinion of the teacher rather than the state- ment itself. I think when we look for things to offend us, we will in variably find them. I think we have to look beyond the words and attempt to see if there is truly any bias in practice. If a teacher is unfair in his treat ment of students, yes, this is an issue. Should teachers ca ter to students with (as the ar ticle stated) “low tolerance level for bias?” I don’t think so. Maybe this provides an opportunity to re-examine our personal biases and if in fact if it is the words themselves that bother us. When we begin to worry and dissect every word in fear of of fending someone. How far are we from ceasing to share or even have opinions that differ from the ones popularly held. Sincerely, Lori Sanders Student Business Manager: Edi t or-i n-Chief Karl Katzke (x2578) John Thorburn (x2447) Photo Editor: Managing Editor: Sarah Welch Megan Oldenstadt Cartoonist: Design Editor: Joel Gunderson Chris Lundgren Timothy A. Bell Feature Editor: Shelbi Wescott StafT: Toni McMichael Jason Lingel Maggie Jirasek Joel P. Shempert Matt Shempert A & E Editor: Angie Daschel News Editor: Sandy Lupo Associate News Editor: Diana Scrivner Secretary: JoAnne Gale Sports Editor: 19600 S. Molili* A ve . O regon City. O reçon 97045 (5Ò5) 657-6958 ext 2509 CCCp R i N T @ CIA C k A M A S.C C.O R.U S Mandy Good Advisor: Linda Vogt (x2310) Opinion Editor: Salena De La Cruz The Clackamas Print aims to report the news in an hon est, unbiased, professional manner. The opinions ex pressed in The Clackamas Print do not necessarily re flect those of the student body, college administration, its faculty, or The Clackamas Print advertisers. Prod ucts and services advertised in The Clackamas Print are not neccesarily endorsed by anyone associated with The Clackamas Print. The advertising rate is $4.75 per column inch. All signed letters to the editor should be 300 words or less and will be considered for publication if submitted by 1 pm the Friday prior to publication. All signed letters submitted for A Student's Voice/Another Voice should be 500 words or less and will be consid ered for publication if submitted by I pm the Friday prior to publication. Both Letters to the Editor and A Studen's Voice/Another Voice are subject to editing.The Clackamas Print is a weekly publication and is distrib uted every Wednesday except during Finals week. The Clackamas Print Copyright 1999.
