2
Opinion
WEdiMEsdAy, M arcñ 1, 2000
ThE CI ac I camas P rínt
Letter to the Editor...
'A lot made of so-
caWd ddÖtroversy’
January 6, 2000 Dr. Donald
Epstein made a statement in his
Judaic Studies/Holocaust class
at Clackamas Community Col
lege.
That statement was,
“You’re better off dead than be
ing a homosexual.” This is a di
rect quote attributed to Dr.
Epstein by Joshua Alexander. A
lot has been made of the so-
called controversy surrounding
that statement.
The problem I have is that as
of this moment I have yet to see
anywhere that anyone actually
asked Dr. Epstein what the con
text of the statement was. I’m
sure that there was more to the
statement than simply a profes
sor of religious studies rushing
into his class and blurting this
out.
I also find it hard to believe
that the editors and staff of the
Clackamas Print, with few excep
tions, would rush to ignite the
kindling at the base of the fu
neral pyre of Dr. Epstein’s career.
I might remind the editorial staff
of that paper that Article I of the
Constitution of the United
States of America guarantees
the right of the free exercise of
religion, the freedom of speech
and the freedom of the press.
By my reckoning Dr. Epstein
was exercising his rights while
Joshua Alexander and the
Clackamas Print seemed to be
attempting to undermine the
very thing that allows them their
own rights. Perhaps the staff at
the Clackams Print are pursuing
careers at the Weekly World
News, The Globe, or the Na
tional Enquirer, but I would
hope that they would aim higher.
Journalism is supposed to be
about integrity not without in
tegrity. In rushing to ask Who,
What, When, Where and How
they forgot to ask Why. Why
did Dr. Epstein make the com
ment?
In an ideal world the full con
text might have been, “In a world
where you may be beaten virtu
ally beyond recognition and left
hanging for dead on a fence,
you’re better off dead than be
ing a homosexual.” If that be
the case maybe we’re all better
off dead. But since the very
question appears to have been
overlooked, we’ll never know.
In a few short weeks this prob
lem will all have been swept
under the carpet and Mr.
Epstein will be gone.
Ironic then that those who
seek to be accepted, tolerated
at any cost are so willing- to
forgo the tolerance of others.
Chad J. Durbec
Gresham, Oregon
Letter to the Editor policy
All signed Letters to the Editor should be 500 words or less
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Editor-in-Chief:
Business Manager:
John Thorbum (x2447)
Managing Editor:
Who decides whether art
is tasteful or tasteless?
FULL-TIME STUDENTS,
FACULTY, and STAFF...
If art is in the eye of the be
holder, or the person who inter
prets it—who gets to decide
whether it’s tasteful or tasteless?
I find the measures taken were
very forthright in trying to resolve
the situation. I am glad that we
have differences
of opinion or
views
on
campus, we
I can share
| them in a ma-
Salena De La Cruz | ture, reason
able fashion.
Opinion Editor I However, I
am sorry that
Gene Flores, an artist from we feel we have to question some
Texas, displayed his unique thing that is a little out of the
works at Pauling Art Gallery. Dur norm. Why can’t we have some
ing the exhibit, people walked by thing new and different and thrive
to their classes and were able to because of it?
view the artist’s works. It wasn’t
Gene Flores has every right to
until people looked closer that name his artwork in a way he feels
they realized the painting titled best represents it. I congratulate
“Two Popes Boinking” showed him on his success and hope more
frog-like creatures in a compro people can learn from his example.
mising position with papal hats Step out of the standard, try some
on.
thing new and different.
The lines have been drawn.
As I look at the artwork, I won
Many people have converged on der about freedom. This year we
their opposite sides either had freedom of speech ques
strongly opposing or strongly in tioned in the classroom. Now, we
favor of the artwork. This have freedom of expression cen
prompted a forum, sponsored by sored from art—what next?
Rick True, art department chair,
Read this quickly!
Feb. 22 to discuss everyone’s
You never know when the
concerns involving the artwork.
printed word may be taken away.
Make a
statement
Karl Katzke (x2578)
Photo Editor:
Sarah Welch
Megan Oldenstadt
Design Editor:
Staff:
Kristen Wiser
Toni McMichael
Jason Lingel
Maggie Jirasek
Matt Shein pert
Timothy A. Bell
Feature Editor:
Shelbi Wescott
A & E Editor:
Angie Daschel
News Editor:
Secretary:
Sandy Lupo
JoAnne Gale
Advisor:
Associate News Editor:
Diana Scrivner
Sports Editor:
Linda Vogt (x2310)
Cartoonists:
Mandy Good
Opinion Editor:
Joel Gunderson
Chris Lundgren
Salena De La Cruz
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should be 500 words or less and will be considered for publication if submitted by 1 pm the
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publish any letters. The Clackamas Print is a weekly publication and is distributed every
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