0 OPINION Wednesday, January 29, 1986 Page 4 The Michigan Daily Edited and managed by students at The University of Michigan Vol. XCVI, No. 84 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 6 I 6 Editorials represent a majority opinion of the Daily's Editorial Board Constructive dissent A NN ARBOR residents have shown their support for the Peace in Central America Ballot Initiative. The 6,000 signatures collected last year have made it possible for voters this April to voice their opinion on a referendum to curb U.S. involvement in Central America. The referendum would establish a task force to examine the uses of United States aid to Central American countries and explore. alternative spending plans for social services and financial aid areas, the Initiative group rightly points out, which have been slighted in lieu of military spen- ding. In addition, the task force would work to set up cross cultural exchanges by adopting a Central American sister city to establish better understanding among coun- tries. Often, when programs like the Ballot Initiative are in early stages, they are unfairly criticized by skeptics who question the im- pact of referendums. That skep- ticism is just one more obstacle to the democratic process which is based on grass roots participation in government. Working together toward gradual change means in- creasing community awareness, which the Ballot Initiative has cer- tainly accomplished. Once the community is aware of the problem voting on a referen- dum is an excellent way of voicing opinion, enabling elected officials to responsibly represent their con- stituency in the House and Senate. The overwhelming support of the Ballot Initiative so far has not had a visible effect on Representative Carl Pursell's voting for military aid to Central America. However, if the referendum passes, he will be compelled to acknowledge the disapproval of his constituency and vote accordingly. The Peace in Central America Ballot Initiative is an example of democracy in action. It is impor- tant to remember that the U.S. government acts as a represen- tative of the people; when its policies are discordant with peoples' values, those policies should be changed through con- structive dissent. LETTERS: Action Against AIDS misunderstood To the Daily: I was disturbed to find both myself and Action Against AIDS Ann Arbor (A5) so poorly under- stood in the article, "Regents asked to act on AIDS" (1/17/86). I felt it imperative that I take the time to clarify our group's goals. First, A5 does not suggest "separate housing for AIDS patients." We do wish to make members of the University com- munity aware that there is a need for housing for persons with AIDS (PWA's) who do not require hospital care. PWA's often find that housing opportunities open to most of us are closed to them because people misunderstand them and their disease. We think that an excellent way for the University to address this need is by providing funding for a hospice-type housing project available to PWA's who desire this type of housing. This is far different from a situation where PWA's would be required to live in separate housing. This quaran- tine measure which is suggested by the wording of the article is something we oppose. A5 is fighting to resolve problems like this through public education to reduce fear and hysteria due to misinformation. We also are fighting by remin- ding Regents and other Univer- sity authorities that they are ac- countable to other community members. We feel no confusion over who is "fighting the battle." We are fighting the battle and we hope to be joined by the AIDS task force and other responsible members of our community. Finally in regard to Vice Provost Zuidema's and Vice President Kennedy's criticism of our naivete, what we have been asking from the outset is to be in- formed about exactly what is oc- curring with respect to AIDS treatment, research, and education. We believe we have reason to be concerned about the University's committment to fighting AIDS. The passage of the Gramm-Rudman Act is going to have an impact on funding at the federal level. This is of concern to many researchers who are ac- tively investigating AIDS. Also some remarks reportedly made by John Forsyth, University Hospitals' Chief Operating Of- ficer, are of concern. At the semi- annual employees' meeting on November 4, 1985 (see letters to the Daily 12/14/85) he explained that University Hospital was not planning to become active in regard to AIDS because of limited parking for family and visitors and a lack of cost effec- tiveness, At this time AIDS is most often a fatal disease. Does this make treatment of PWA's and adequate education for staff members an inappropriate choice? I think that our com- munity deserves a better ex- planation and more compelling reasoning than this. We in Action Against AIDS Ann Arbor are committed to fighting AIDS through education and increased funding. We hope that others,, particularly the Regents and the AIDS Task Force, are committed as well. Copies of our resolution are available to interested people by sending a request to A5 c/o Gay Liberation 4117 Michigan. -Jeanette M. Scheid Action Against Aids,.Ann Arbor January 24 A Movie 's message Over-due education O NE YEAR since 30 concerned people sat-in for a full day in Vice President for Student Ser- vices Henry Johnson's office to protest his apparent disinterest in the campus rape problem, the naisant University center for rape awareness and prevention prepares to open its doors. The newly-appointed head of the cen- ter, alumna Julie Steiner, will begin co-ordinating various anti- rape efforts of students on February 3. Outstanding among these effor- ts, which include the proposed organization of a campus-wide escort service, and expansion of Nite Owl routes, is the rape education programs currently enlightening students all over campus. The program, which sends two peer educators to dorms, frater- nities, sororities, or any campus group to facilitate discussion of student attitudes and concerns, is receiving an increasing number of requests. The program focuses on date and acquaintance rape, the most com- mon forms of sexual assault. Videos made by students at Swar- thmore College illustrate common atmospheres for sexual assault - the dormitory and the party. After each video, students discuss their own feelings about the situations presented, discovering the con- tributing factors of sexual assault. Facilitators urge students to separate themselves from "macho-aggressive' and "feminine-complacent" stereotyp- es, emphasizing the need for asser- tive communication between men and women. These workshops, so necessary and long over-due, give students the rare opportunity to discuss and develop informed views about sexuality. In such a supportive, sensitive environment, common misconceptions can be unlearned and subsequent behavior will perhaps be affected. The rape awareness workshops, run by dedicated individuals from the Michigan Student Assembly's Womens' Issues Committee, staf- fed by student volunteers, and fun- ded through the University's new center, should be congratulated for a job well done. Students should take advantage of this opportunity to re-examine their own relationships and re- evaluate old ideas about sex. To the Daily: One might concede that "The Color Purple" was an intensely dramatic movie, however, when discussing such an important topic as an individual's right to live happily amongst over- whelming prejudices, the subject must be presented bombastically in order to ensure from the audience even a meager amount of awareness toward the in- justice. The response of the reviewer to this movie is obviously one desensitized to the entire meaning of the presentation. Just the fact that the reviewer states that he likes Celie despite her ugliness, places the reviewer into the film's world, which judges Celie for her lack of the super- ficial attributes which society demands. As to the characters and moments in the movie which were "overdone," they were done so in an attempt to illustrate the simple but easily overlooked idea of this entire film. Each woman had her own livelihood, this livelihood being the only reason for life. For Celie it was her sister's love, for her sister it was the work she accom- plished in a church in Africa, for Sofia it was to be a fighter, which for her entailed being loud and overbearing. Even Shug, "the beautiful" character, was depen- dent upon the "bottle" and the af- fections of numerous men. In light of this presentation of the characters, the movie becomes more than just the world seen through Celle's eyes, it is instead, transformed into a detailed observation of the relations between men and women, and most importantly, the ability granted to men by the women themselves, which enables the men to dominate and to steal the women's lives from them. Each situation is presented dramatically so that by the end of the film,; the viewer realizes it is not simply a presentation of a man vs. a woman, nor one which could be rectified by any revelation as to the good of a man. The film's sole issue of im- portance is that all four women repossess their livelihood through the realization that only they themselves could allow it to be stolen. By the unconditional love shown to each other through various beautiful gestures, (which could be interpreted as homosexual to those who feel threatened by' open ex- pressions of love) each woman comes to the realization that it is love of self which is the only guarantee to a fulfilling life. This, once possessed, can never be seized. This is the importance of the film. Done passively it would have meant nothing, for even when done bombastically, the reviewer failed to recognize such a simple idea. -James Micheal Cooper January 17 A Issue of abortion t To the Daily: On January 24, 1986, an article entitled "A Woman's Choice" appeared on the editorial page of The Daily. The main thrust of this article was that the issue of abortion involves a philosophical question which cannot be an- swered absolutely through scien- ce or any other means. Therefore, the authors of "A Woman's Choice" conclude that we must consider the practical arguments for abortion rights. I agree that the question of per- sonhood is one of a philosophical and moral nature, and yet for this very reason I think it is clear that we must, as a society, answer this question. Medical science can tell us unequivocally that a fetus is a living human being. What scien- ce cannot tell us - and is therefore the issue at stake - is whether or not the fetus is at a developmental stage which would necessitate our conferring all the rights of personhood upon the fetus. The editors of The Daily have chosen to avoid this question entirely by stating that the question cannot be answered. If this is true, then surely the pro-life movement is imposing its moral view on the rest of society. I contend, however, that as a society we impose and legislate our morals constantly, and fur- ther, that we must do this in order to function as a society. We, as a society have determined that post-natal infants and children deserve all the rights of per- sonhood. Therefore, any in- dividual who wantonly kills a ts do not believe that their children have attained per- sonhood, then who are we to deny them their right to kill their children? Surely this should be an individual choice. If a person does not believe that blacks should be given all the rights of personhood, than what right do we have to legislate their morality and deny them their right to own a black slave? Clearly in these situations, we have decided these moral questions for a whole society, and impose our moral view through legislation. Likewise, we must resolve the moral question surrounding the abortion issue. Further, I contend that the bur- den of proof lies with the ad- vocates of pro-choice. Our legal system is based upon the assum- ption of innocence unless proven guilty. It seems only logical then, that in a question such as this - where the life of the fetus is ter- minated - that we should allow the fetus the assumption of per- sonhood unless proven otherwise. The editors of The Daily discussed several very difficult practical problems with unwan- ted pregnancies. These problems should not be forgotten and sidelined, but must be dealth with as well. However, the question which must be answered about the abortion issue is whether or not the fetus deserves all the rights of personhood. We cannot avoid this question as you have proposed, but must take the responsibility to carefully and conscientiously settle this issue. To use the words of Abraham Editorial's 'cheap shot' To the Daily: Way to go! Once again your Editorial Board has ruined a beautiful opportunity for a meaningful editorial with it's ultra-liberalistic views. I am making reference to your January 20, 1986 "Opinion" page column entitled "King for a day." Instead of simply showing respect and admiration for a great man in our recent history (on the first observance of the national holiday in his honor), you chose to turn your editorial into an opportunity to take a political "cheap shot" at the Reagan administration and its civil nights record. This "cheap shot" and the liberalistic attitude you convey only served to ruin what had started out to be a fine tribute to Dr. King and those that have taken over his ideas and dreams. If, in the future, should you be unable to hold your ultra- liberalistic views and "cheap shots" in check, I would suggest you let them fly on your own bir- thday (and/or holiday), and not on one so special as this! -James Berry January 214 As the Daily celebrates its ninety seventh year of editorialfreedom, the Opinion page is looking for enthusiastic, politically diverse writers to join the staff. In- terested individuals should come 'Vandalism' by fraternity To the Daily: I am curious what the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity hopes to gain from vandalizing the University campus at the begin- ning of every semester. Before new people by showing they have no respect for public property? Are they responsible enough to pay the University maintenance department for the man hours used to remove non-removable