4A - The Michigan Daily - Monday, December 11, 2000
Ulbe £ikigJn i1lg
Welcome to my narcissistic fantasy world
420 Maynard Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
daily. letters@umich.edu
Edited and managed by
students at the
University of Michigan
MIKE SPAIIN
Editor in Chief
EMILY ACHENBAUM
Editorial Page Editor
n light of the debate over civil unions,
I've got to say it: I want a wife.
Women get shafted by gender roles in all
sorts of ways - including that the hetero-
sexual ones of us just might end up with a
husband. Who wants a husband when you
Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of
the Daily's editorial board. All other articles, letters and cartoons do not
necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily.
could have a wife?
I have a lot of stuff
I'd like to accomplish
with my life; ladders
to climb, places to go,
people to see, babies
to kiss. But I'm going
to need a little help.
I'd be able to do so
much more if I didn't
have to waste time on
busy work that some
women, thankfully,
can make careers of.
My wife, she'd
make sure my clothes
look classy; I could
throw them on the
floor and she'd pick
Anti-urban sprawl initiatives offer hope
Achenbaum
Diamon
the j~og
her real job is to make me feel loved, to
soothe my ego after a harsh day at work, to
plan dinner parties. If I were a man - if I
were a man with money and a housewife or
a sort-of-career-wife - I could do whatever
I wanted.s
And then the complication of being
straight and female.
There are women that want to do these
things; they give up any potential they
might have in leading their own lives and
devote themselves to someone else. How
romantic, how selfless, how nurturing. Until
you realize they are serving someone else
- and for what in return?
Is the prize someone's love and apprecia-
tion? Can you really love someone who is
so clearly not your equal?
As women, we are used to being caretak-
ers. We're in college, we're not married yet,
we don't have kids, but we're already care-
takers. Making everyone else feel happy
and cared for; it's the unwritten job. Who
makes sure that we are loved and cared for?
Even decades after the feminist move-
ment and in an era when women are starting
to outnumber men at colleges, we are not
expected to be the star.
It would be nice if I became a doctor or
lawyer but it doesn't matter.
Men are expected to become lawyers and
doctors.
It would be nice if I married a doctor or a
lawyer.
Whether I marry brains and success or
achieve it myself is still viewed as inconse-
quential; both are acceptable. Interchange-
able. As long as I do one, I'll be taken care
of.
So is the prize for being the perfect little
wife total financial support? It's an easy
way out, a seductive way out, one we can't
help but consider. Grad school applications
do not seem as scary. The job search does.
not seem as scary. Perhaps it's one of our
few advantages over men: A back-up plan
exists if we fail --or if we are afraid to try.
It's OK if we don't amount to much. A bit-
tersweet fact that can only ruefully be called
an "advantage."
Women: Build your own personal empire.
Make your own money. Do not financially
depend on men. Or your parents. Anyone.
Independence is not about being anti-male
or untrusting; it is not about choosing career
over a personal life.
Money is freedom. Owning something
means not having to answer to anyone. Be
able to call something mine.
And belting along with Destiny's Child
newest isn't enough. Think what you could
be capable of if someone let you be the star.'
If you acted like a successful, dominant
man. If people answered to you, did things@
for you. Do not be weighed down by laun-
dry, Christmas cards and driving to soccer.
Maybe you will marry a man and be
equals, splitting the "girl" stuff down the
middle. Maybe you will marry a man who
wants be Mr. Mom. Maybe you will cir-
cumvent the whole thing: Make enough
money and you can hire a cook, a house-
keeper, personal shopper, a secretary. A
bevy of pseudo-wives, all there to make it@
easier for you to succeed.
I don't know if I'll get married. But I
know if I do, I'll be more of a woman and
less of a wife.
- Emily Achenbaum can be reached via
e-mail at emilylsa@umich.edu..
C haracterized by low-density suburbs
built on previously open spaces,
urban sprawl has become a problem in
Michigan and across the nation. Urban
sprawl has long been a problem in Michi-
gan - especially western Michigan and'
the greater Detroit area, including Ann
Arbor. For a number of reasons, steps
must be made to stop sprawl: To protect
the environment and open spaces and to
save everyone transportation dollars and
commuting time. Indeed, recent regional
growth plans and plans to revitalize the
Detroit and Ann Arbor city centers show
promise in finding solutions. Neverthe-
less, sprawl also needs to be curbed at the
state and local levels.
There is no doubt that sprawl is a seri-
ous problem in Michigan and constitutes
a heavy burden on taxpayers and the
environment. The nonprofit Fannie Mae
Foundation concluded in a recent study
that the Detroit region ranks third worst
for consuming land nationally. Among
28 urban areas, The Surface Transporta-
tion Policy Project ranks southeast
Michigan fifth in household spending on
transportation - about $6,710 a year.
These studies reveal the major reasons
why sprawl is a problem: It irreparably
damages the environment and because it
constitutes a hidden tax on people who
must drive long distances to work and
pay taxes to support new infrastructure to
their outlying suburban communities.
There have been some positive steps
taken to curb sprawl in recent years.
Plans for a Lansing to Detroit Amtrak
route are moving forward and, if built, it
would cost an estimated $4 million annu-
ally, as opposed to much more expensive
highways infrastructures. Such a link
would also provide critical transportation
alternatives for students at both the Uni-
versity and other area schools. In addi-
tion to smarter transportation policies to
slow the construction of sprawl-stimulat-
ing highway construction, saving open
spaces requires a regional and state-level
approach.
A plan for the future development of
the Chelsea area received cautious opti-
mism when it was unveiled last Thursday.
The plan, concluding a two-year study of
the area by local and county representa-
tives, took into account resident surveys
and ecological considerations to desig-
nate where growth should and should not
occur. To effectively plan for the future,
other regions must adopt similar plans to
structure growth and development.
Finally, in Ann Arbor, there are a
number of proposals aiming to revitalize
the city center. The city has recently
bought the development rights to existing
farmland to protect it from development
and keep residents and businesses within
the city limits. Not only does bringing
businesses together make good economic
sense, the development of the city can
prevent far-flung developments and the
long commutes and increased tax burden
they inevitably create. These small initia-
tives - a new building near Nichols
Arcade and cheaper, more convenient
parking - can all serve to better use the
city center and save surrounding areas
from unnecessary development.
Although these new projects are promis-
ing, the city should continue to strive to
keep a balance between these more met-
ropolitan structures and small-town char-
acter.
These incremental steps constitute
steps in the right direction, but cannot
replace a statewide plan for growth.
Sprawl is an important issue and must be
combated at both the state, regional and
local levels. With smart planning now, we
can ensure a more environmentally sound
them up. My dry cleaning would actually
get done. I'd tell her what I wanted for din-
ner and get it, spiced the way I like it, to-cal
and high-protein when my tennis game
seems off.
I'd have someone to keep track of every-
one's birthdays, pick out cards and presents
for my parents, send them from "us." Hur-
ray for doing no work and getting half the
credit. And "us" would be the Achenbaums;
naturally she'd chuck her name for mine.
What an ego trip! I get to stay me, she
changes.
Sure, she'd probably have a job - I like
a working woman - but we'd both know
'That's against the rules.'
-- MasterCard spokeswoman Heidi Lowe on the surcharges some local
businesses add to credit card purchases made below certain minimums.
«.
,
Blame bad season
on Ellerbe's coaching
TO THE DAILY:
I am reacting to the pathetic showing of
Michigan basketball against Duke! As a result,
my monetary support for Michigan athletics has
ended today. Until Brian Ellerbe is fired, the ath-
letic department will not see one cent!
Typically, my patience gets the better of me
and I give a coach the benefit of the doubt.
Now, three years later, this patience has run out!
Ellerbe has had his chance. He has recruited top
talent. And he has continued to slip, ever more,
into total incompetence. I'm sick and tired of
having to go to the Breslin Center in order to
watch good basketball.
JASON CHRENKA
UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS
'U' needs affirmative
action task force
TO THE DAILY:
On Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Michigan Student
Assembly will vote on forming an Affirmative
Action Task Force.
In the recent past MSA has created task
forces to work on a variety of student issues. We
have had a Super Fan Task Force, a Student
Regent Task Force and a Voice Your Vote Task
Force.
The need for an Affirmative Action Task
Force is clear. The affirmative action trials will
be starting on Jan. 16. These cases are likely to
determine the future of affirmative action pro-
grams for the entire country, the future of sup-
port and outreach programs such as Summer
Bridge, Comprehensive Studies Program and
Women in Science and Engineering and the
future of Title IX. The recent decision upholding
affirmative action in the 9th Circuit is one in a
series of conflicting decisions that make clear
that the Michigan cases could go either way.
The actions of students will be the decisive ele-1
ment.
MSA has a long-standing policy in support+
of affirmative action. This must not be just a
paper policy - MSA must act on what it
believes in. A task force of students committed
to this issue alone, run by leadership experi-
enced and well versed in the issues, is the way to'
ensure that MSA's position is carried out faith-
fully.
To our knowledge there has never been an
instance of MSA refusing a motion to constitute
a task force on a student issue, even a controver-
sial one such as student regent. The only reason
to object to the creation of an Affirmative
Action Task Force or to support unproven lead-
ership of such a task force is to silence anyone
that would actually breath life into the resolu-
tions MSA has passed.
We call on all MSA representatives that
believe in the right of students to publicly show;
their support, in an official capacity, for an offs-
cial MSA position of clear importance not only:
to this campus, but to our nation as a whole to
step forward and throw their support behind this
initiative. We also call upon members of the
University community to join us in the MSA
chambers, third floor of the Michigan Union,
Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. to make sure MSA actual-
ly follows through on its resolutions in a mean-
ingful and genuine manner.
NANCY ABDEL-KHALEK, RACKHAM
JESSICA CURTIN, RACKHAM
ERIKA DOWDELL, LSA
DENNIS KAss, RACKHAM,
CAROUNE SCHREIBER, MEDICINE
EMINA SENDIJAREVIC, BUSINESS
CRAIG SUTTON, RACKHAM
DAAP MSA REPRESENTATIVES
DANE BARNES DISTURBED SLEEP
I-----
An important day off
Proposed holiday could make voting easier
MK
L~'p
1
I f this election fiasco has taught us
anything, it's that every vote counts.
In an effort to ensure that more of these
votes are counted, Rep. Fred Upton (R-
St. Joseph) plans to introduce a bill
into the House that will make Election
Day a national holiday. The creation of
a national election holiday is a great
idea that should be expanded to include
all major Federal elections.
It is common knowledge that voter
turnout in the United States has been
abominably low and falling for some
time now. According to the Federal
Election Commission, voter turnout in
recent presidential elections has hov-
ered roughly around 50 percent. For
recent congressional elections the num-
bers are even lower - consistently
near the mid- to high-thirties.
Clearly this is a problem in a coun-
try where the government is supposed
to reflect the will of the people. The
American democratic system is based
on the ideal that representatives would
act on behalf of all of their constituents
- not just the half that show up on
Election Day. Especially problematic is
the fact that those who do not vote tend
to be the most disenfranchised by the
system. It is exactly those who feel the
government is not representing their
needs that most need to be encouraged
to voice their vote and change it.
that contribute to low voter turnout,
there are often logistical reasons that
can make voting unnecessarily compli-
cated. It is often difficult to find time
to go to the polling stations between
work or class. A national holiday
would ease this burden. Since most
people would get the day off, an elec-
tion holiday would also command the
attention of the voting public by direct-
ly impacting people's lives on Election
Tuesday. As a result more people
would show up to the polls on that day.
While Upton's bill, which calls for
national election holidays every four
years, would be a step in the right
direction, it should be expanded to
cover congressional elections every
two years. These elections can be just
as important as the presidential elec-
tions in determining public policy.
Since congressional elections have
even lower voter turnout then presiden-
tial ones, having a national holiday on
the day of those elections is especially
important.
In order to minimize the economic
impact of the proposed holiday, Presi-
dents' Day would be removed from the
federal calendar during years in which
an election holiday was observed.
There could be no better way to honor
past presidents than to maintain the
spirit of democracy through the cre-
I/
S
S
°' m5i~ sON R r.I7'STH E A/Fb
ADNIsT A71,6N SO' 'J CLEAR, I
Tjl T C AN'S' $E ET u OF 7N
COUNTR.Y') frONOrJIL. fFUTRt.
)c , 17C: :; )
By Sunon Dantiki
Daily Editorial Writer
We are at a critical moment in this Universi-
ty's history. The United Asian Organizations,
the umbrella organization for Asian student
organizations at the University, will vote on a
stance concerning affirmative action this week.
This is especially important because most cam-
pus groups representing Asian cultures have not
yet taken an official position on this divisive
topic. The need for an official stance on affirma-
tive action is more pressing than ever in the pre-
sent atmosphere.
In addition to the ongoing nationwide con-
troversy, affirmative action is constantly being
thrust upon the students of this university. The
administration is currently occupied with fend-
ing off two lawsuits claiming reverse discrimi-
nation due to affirmative action policies. With
many renowned legal and societal leaders keep-
ing tabs on the cases, the campus has reacted
strongly. But the unique aspect of the Universi-
ne1 n; t~donc
So we as a community should oppose affir-
mative action, right? Wrong.
Although critics are quick to point out that
affirmative action initially arose as a program of
special compensation, primarily financial, for
millions of disenfranchised African-Americans
it was completely justified when taken in con-
text. When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote in
favor of compensatory programs for blacks dur-
ing his lifetime,.he compared such social
reforms to the GI Bill of Rights, which gave
World War II veterans special preferences
including home loans,;college scholarships and
special advantages in competition for civil ser-
vice jobs. Affirmative action commenced in an
era when governmental compensatory programs
were the norm and served as a necessary
weapon to fight a trend of widespread institu-
tionalized discrimination.
Affirmative action is not, however, simply
compensation for past grievances inasmuch as it
is a policy to promote diversity. Nowhere is this
more evident than in higher educational institu-
demic setting, the University's admissions poli-
cy promotes interracial interaction and multicul-
turalism.
Proponents of replacing the system with a
strict system of "socioeconomic affirmative
action" neglect the fact that the University
already takes socioeconomic factors into
account during the admissions process. An
applicant who has had to overcome many obsta-
dles during his life, or has.had a variety of char-
acter-building experiences, is considered a much
stronger candidate than someone who just has a
high Grade Point Average and test scores.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the case of
Jennifer Gratz, a white female who was denied
admission to the University and is now suing on*
the basis of unfair treatment due to affirmative
action. Her case for admission was based upon
her 3.7 high school GPA and ACT score of 25.
In the year she was denied admission, however,
1300 white applicants with lower GPAs and test
scores were admitted to the University - proof
that grades and race are not the determining fac-
I