The Michigan Daily - Monday, February 3,1992 - Page 3
Symposium programs examine democracy
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Hayden says nature has rights too
by Christopher Scherer
Democracy and civil rights must be ex-
tended to the environment, said University
alumnus and former Students for a Demo-
cratic Society leader Tom Hayden Friday dur-
ing the closing address of the 1992 Neil
Staebler Symposium.
"Democracy limited to humans is just an-
other way to destroy the planet," Hayden
said. "Democracy has to be extended some-
how to include a representation of the nature
that we are a part of."
There are many ways to broaden the defi-
nition of democracy, Hayden said, such as im-
plementing "moral limitations on taking
life, an end to the destruction of forests, to
fully replace used areas of forests, and use
renewable resources."
By redefining democracy to include all
living things, Hayden expressed ideas similar
to those he advocated when fighting for civil
rights thirty years ago as one of the Chicago
Seven. "We used to treat people the same
way we treat nature today," Hayden said.
As a University student, Hayden said he
was discouraged by classes that failed to ad-
dress moral and philosophical issues. Hayden
said he drafted the Port Huron Statement 30
years ago "to help awaken an inner potential
in each human being that was stifled, that
was the characteristic and unique quality, of
what made human beings human."
Hayden stressed the idea that humans
should not abuse nature, and that humans are
not superior to nature. "Humans perceive
themselves at the center of the world, that
nature and the environment is outside us, and
only have value inferred on them as they pro-
Panelists debate inj
Supreme Court in t
by Karen Pier
Daily Staff Reporter
Friday's panel debate titled "In the
Shadow of the Law: Social Activism at the
Bar of the Rehnquist Court" discussed the
role of the Supreme Court in the fight for
civil rights.
The panel, a part of the 1992 Neil Staebler
Symposium, presented different views of the
court's role in shaping society.
Theodore Shaw, assistant professor at the
University Law School, argued that Supreme
Court rulings can help further civil rights,
but expecting the court to do all the work
puts "too much baggage on litigation."
Another panelist, Amherst College Pro-
fessor Kristin Bumniller, discussed the need
for social activists to draw on all segments
of society to advance their causes.
She added that although the law can help
people, "individuals fear the power of the
vide for our sustenance," Hayden said.
"You're not apart from nature ... we are part
of nature ... nature is the source of
imagination."
About 80 people turned out for the clos-
ing address, but some participants said Hay-
den's remarks seemed geared toward envi-
ronmental groups, rather than the general
conference.
"The speech would be more appropriate
for a group of environmental students so
that his vision could take root," said LSA
sophomore Devon Eagle.
Other students agreed that Hayden's envi-
ronmental vision was important, but out of
place at the conference.
But LSA Junior Tony Saxe said he
thought Hayden's perspective was impor-
tant. He said it was "refreshing to hear
someone actually in a position of power in
the country to echo sentiments a lot of the
youth have that many people tend to
overlook."
Karen Nowack, co-chair of the symposium
and Institute of Public Policy Studies stu-
dent, was involved with public policy in en-
vironmental issues in the past. "I think it's
central to consider environmental issues
when you're thinking about public policy,"
she said. "That's what makes being part of a
democracy so important - we have choices
and the environmental is central to our
existence."
"Healing the environment is about heal-
ing ourselves," said Hayden, "and if we want
to overcome alienation we need to heal
ourselves ... Nature is within democracy."
luence o
J. S. society
law to disrupt their lives - that the law
will change personal problems to bigger
ones."
Gerald Rosenberg, a University of
Chicago political science professor, argued
that the court's rulings were not influential.
For example, Rosenberg said that deci-
sions such as Roe vs. Wade have not signifi-
cantly changed the availability of abortions.
The problem is that few doctors do
abortions, he said.
Rosenberg cited statistics which showed
that 27 percent of women seeking abortions
have to travel more than 50 miles to get one.
Other people disagreed with his
conclusion.
One woman in the audience said that some
women travel long distances because they
live in rural areas where there is no medical
care nearby.
ANTHNY M. CROlLL/Daly
Civil rights activist and founder of the Students for a Democratic Society Tom Hayden
gives the closing address Friday for the Neal Staebler Symposium at Rackham auditorium.
Former ambassador to China
Increase of
minorities
changing
socetyO
by Hope Calati
The United States' minority
population is growing faster than
the majority, igniting a change in the
dynamics of education, politics and
the workplace.
"Changing Faces in America:
The Impact of Demographic
Changes On Democracy In the 21st
Century," a seminar held Friday at
Rackham, addressed these changes.
By the year 2000, minorities will
represent one-third of the nation's
population and as much as 47 per-
cent of the elementary and sec-
ondary school population, said Bev-
erly Anderson, Associate Professor
of Mathematics at University of
District of Columbia.
Minorities are currently disen-
franchised in the areas of math and
technology through low-end track-
ing, Anderson said. "We must pre-
pare our minority population to
take on the jobs of the future."
Anderson spoke of her vision of
cooperation between teachers and
communities in educating all its
citizens in math and technology.
Anderson emphasized that teach-
ers must believe in every student's
ability to help that student realize
his or her potential.
Michael Dawson, an assistant
professor of Political Science and'
Afro-American and African Studies,
said, "Damaging racial stereotypes
persist into the 20th century." The
presidential campaign has trans-
formed the definition of American
to mean persons who have=
assimilated, Dawson said.
Low voter turnout in the Black
and Hispanic communities reveals a
growing dissatisfaction with the re-
sponse of the democratic system to
their needs, Dawson said. "America
is less and less democratic and more
politically unstable."
Ruby Beale, a lecturer and re-
search assistant in the Business,
School, discussed the future of the,
American workplace.
supports current
by Loretta Lee
As Chinese Premier Li Peng and President
Bush met briefly Friday to discuss human
rights, guest panel members and University
professors shared personal perspectives on
China and democracy during the 1992 Neil
Staebler Symposium.
President Bush has been strongly criti-
cized for his lax attitude towards Chinese
human rights, especially in light of the 1989
crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators
in Beijing, which was overseen by Li.
A recently released State Department re-
port on human rights described China and its
leaders as "repressive" and "falling far
short of internationally accepted norms."
However, former U.S. Ambassador to
China Leonard Woodcock, a symposium
panel member, agreed with the current U.S.
approach to relations with China in "The
Democratic Movement In China" seminar.
"We should pursue compliance with in-
ternational agreements on human rights, but
obviously this we could do better with full
relations rather than with partial relations,"
Woodcock said.
Woodcock also said that China's view of
human rights was different from Americans'
equation of human rights and civil rights.
U.S. policy
"The Chinese would argue that human
rights first are economic rights. When the
Chinese look at us with our appren aban-
donment of the homeless, the poor, and the
mentally deficfent ... they consider that a
denial of human rights," he said.
Panel member Huang Yasheng, assistant
professor of Political Science and research as-
sistant for the University's Center for Chi-
nese Studies, focused his dissertation on the
possibility of economic reforms
contributing to political reform in China.
According to Huang, the adoption of eco-
nomic reforms which Chinese leaders at first
considered politically "too risky" has led to
"spectacular" economic growth.
Huang argued that in the short run, newly
formed democracies can be threatened by
weak economic conditions.
"Economic decline is unkind toward
regimes that are weak, whether authoritarian
or democratic," Huang said. Huang also en-
couraged more emphasis on economic reformn
rather than human and civil rights.
The other panel member, Li Xianglu, for-
mer assistant to Zhao Ziyang during his reign
as Chinese Premier, described events leading
up to the Tiananmen Square massacre.
a
K-
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Israeli discusses peace
prospects in Mideast
THE LIST
What's happening in Ann Arbor today
Meetings
Alpha Sigma Phi, fraternity open
rush mtg, 1209 Michigan Union, 7 p.m.
Comedy Company, writers mtg, new
writers welcome, Michigan Union,
Pendleton Rm, 7:30 p.m.
Environmental Action (ENACT),
weekly mtg,- talk on the endangered
species act, 1040 School of Natural
Resources, 7 p.m.
Ethnic Greek Dancing Club,
Michigan Union, Anderson D, 7:30
p.m.
Indian American Student
Association, weekly board mtg,
Michigan League, Rm D, 8 p.m.
Michigan Taiwanese Students
Association, "Laws for the Purpose of
Political Oppression: A Criticism of
Criminal Law in Taiwan", San-Tien
Lin. Michigan Union, Wolverine Rm,
7-10 p.m.
Take Back the Night, weekly mtg,
Michigan League, check desk for rm, 7
p.m,
Society for the Advancement of
Environmental Education, mass mtg.
1046 School of Natural Resources, 7:30
p.m.
Undergraduate Philosophy Club,
"How to Succeed in Philosophical
Theology without Really Trying",
George Mavrodes, 2220 Angell, 7 p.m.
Undergraduate Psych Society,
monthly mtg, 2231 Angell, 7:30 p.m.
U of M Sarin-Ryu Karate-Do Club,
weekly meeting, CCRB Martial Arts
rm, 8:30-9:30 p.m.
Speakers
"Is the Soviet Economy Still
Alive?", Gennadi Zoteev. Lane Hall
Commons Rm, 4 p.m.
"Resisting Postmodernism in Latin
America", Santiago Colas. Fourth
Floor Conunons, MLB, 3:30 p.m.
Natural Science Aud. 7:30-9 p.m.
Furthermore
Safewalk, night-time safety walking
service. Sun-Thurs 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m.,
Fri-Sat, 8 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Stop by 102
UGLi or call 936-1000. Also, extended
hours: Sun-Thurs 1-3 a.m. Stop by
Angell Hall Computing Center or call
763-4246.
Northwalk, North Campus nighttime
team walking service. Sun-Thur 8
p.m.-1:30 a.m. Stop by 2333 Bursley or
call 763-WALK.
English Department Coffee Hour,
every Monday. Haven 7th floor lounge,
3:30-5:00 p.m.
U-M Taekwondo Club, Monday
workout. CCRB Martial Arts Rm.
2275, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
U of M Ninjitsu Club, practice, I-M
Bldg, wrestling rm, 7-8:30 p.m
Registration for "Uncommon
Campus Courses", North Campus
Commons.
Ann Arbor Department of Parks
and Recreation, registration for Over
30 Hockey Leagues, Spring Science
Day Camp, and Spring Pioneer Living
Day Camp.
ECB Peer Writing Tutors.
Angell/Mason Computing Center, 7-11
p.m.
Stress and Time Management,
Consultations with peer counselors
available, 3100 Michigan Union, 2-4
p.m.
Guild House Campus Ministry,
discussion group, Women's Book
Group, open group to women who wish
to discuss women's religious, social, and
political issues, 802 Monroe St., noon.
Guild House Campus Ministry,
Guild House Writers Series, speakers
Doug Engelbretsen and Ken Cormier,
802 Monroe St., 8:30-10 p.m.
Career Planning & Placement,'
by Hope Calati
Less than a week after returningI
from the peace talks in Moscow, Is-l
raeli Consul General in New York1
Uriel Savir spoke on the prospects
of a lasting peace in the Middle EastI
yesterday at Rackham.
Savir praised the role of the
"Bush-Baker administration" in
staging the conference in the post-
Gulf War era. "This is the time to
prevent war," Savir said.
However, he said U.S. involve-
ment in the region should be lim-
ited. "Whenever Israel has made
concessions or will make conces-
sions it can only be in response to
Arab changes - not American
pressure."
Savir criticized the* Palestine's
"lack of pragmatism." Sovereignty
of Gaza and the West Bank is not an
issue as decided in the Camp David
Accords, Savir said, but Palestinian
self-government is. "We have no in-
terest to run their lives ... We have a
security interest," Savir said.
"What we seek is a deep sense of
being part of that area." .
"The resources of the Middle
East must be invested in the eco-
nomic development of the region."
The decision must be made between
arms and bread, Savir said, pointing
out that billions of dollars have
been spent on military expenses that
could provide food, education and
health.
He stressed the necessity of co-
thekn'
answer questions and provide referral
.o l o : information about the U?
-gather data rom U offices and
organizations?
-write summaries of the U's services,
offices, and facilities?
operation amnong Middle East coun-
tries in addressing the common
problems of economic development,
growing fundamentalism, war and
water. "Either we will have water
together or none of us will," he
said.
We must achieve peace for this
and future generations, Savir added.
"The fate of the Middle East is in
our hands - Israelis and Arabs
alike."
Savir received mixed reviews
from the participants in the
conference.
Ypsilanti resident Joseph Hekin
appreciated Savir's attitude. Hekin
said, "He had a positive attitude. I
think hope and optimism is what's
lacking in the Middle East."
LSA first year student Lia Kush-
nir commented, "Both sides in the
Middle East are very absolute in
their convictions. I find it hard to
believe that compromise can be
achieved without increased
violence."
Sheri Netler, 1989-1990 co-
chairperson of this conference, said,
"I was very pleased to hear an Is-
raeli speaking about the peace pro-
cess in a realistic way than in terms
of a hypocritical situation."
Polish and Proud
Anna Prudnor irons one of hundreds of costumes used Saturday in
Mazowze's performance of traditional Polish folk dance.
I
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THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO
BECOMING A NURSE IN THE ARMWi
And they're both-repre-
sented by the insignia you wear
as a member of the Army Nurse
Corps. The caduceus on the left