0 4 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, September 24, 2003 OP/ED Ule AoItlm t aU 420 MAYNARD STREET ANN ARBOR, MI 48109 letters@michigandaily.com EDITED AND MANAGED BY STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SINCE 1890 LoUIE MEIZLISH Editor in Chief AUBREY HENRETTY ZAC PESKOWITZ Editorial Page Editors NOTABLE QUOTABLE Dr. Dean should be ashamed of himself, simply for allowing an emotionally disturbed person to vent that kind of hatred..." 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. SAM BUTLER THE SOAPBOX 13 - u V dI, 1 v"_ __4i - Fox News personality Bill O'Reilly, on an appearance made by comedian and author Al Franken at a recent fundraising event held by Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean, as quoted on FoxNews.com. Join the KKK (not that one) HUSSAIN RAHIM NARCOL EPTIC INSOMNIA ince last week, talk of condemning root beer-disdain- ing sorority girls and minority-only student groups has awakened some latent questions I have regarding identity. Not to reminisce of the olden days of Intro Phi- losophy, but who is anyone? And more importantly, what does society view you as? I will step up as the first sacrificial lamb. To the average seeing human, I am black, tall, and I am male. Look at my name and you may infer that I am Muslim, at least by birth. Synapses fire, schemas and stereo- types load and perceptions form. So you go to the University? Basketball or football? Those were the two choices I was given. It didn't matter whether I was in Ann Arbor or New York, ignorance is a uniting thread. And of course, the answer depends on the mood. "Football, I'm number one, check for me, but not last week." Or, "I just got the ping-pong scholarship this year." The hoopla over the Muslim name was a 9/11 thing. "Yo Hussain, you heard what happened? Oh shit, your name is Hussain, you're Muslim and all that shit right, what do you think?" Dirty looks ensue and retar- dation multiplies. Share the name, share the brain. No room for individuation. I think whatever you want. The basest manner in which I have heard this question phrased is, "What are you?" As some sort of alien inquisition, you are then expected to identify yourself in way that best placates fears of invasion. Just tell us what you are, so we can label you and feel at ease. I am a middle-class, heterosex- ual American, but more specifically, I am form New York and better yet, Brooklyn, if that tells you anything more about me. Peo- ple of ambiguous ethnicity know this the best. Life is simpler (for others) when you simply pick a team and stay on it. And this most clearly applies here at the mighty Uni- versity. From the first week, you are asked to pick your brand of indoctrination, and while there is nothing inherently wrong with student organizations, they can be outlets for interests (I am obviously a willing part of the Daily) the problem arises when your mentality and beliefs become nothing more than the brochure for your student group or your race. If I ask several questions and break down your entire thought process, things are not good. While I am not naive enough to believe that the group itself is what causes this brand in exclusivity, as you don't need a named group with school fund- ing to alienate people, but having a cool acronym like Kool Kids Kollective and lots of pride doesn't hurt the idea of isolating others much either. With people here, specifically at the University and in the world at large, the dissent from group thought that is the heart of progress is extremely precious and rare. What you do hear is the common cry by any categorized group is that "By Gosh, we are all not like that! Some of us hug kit- tens, help old people cross the street and give sandwiches to homeless people." And while said activities are nice and make an individual feel good, they do little to allay the group's reputation. Reputations come from actual places, observations, occur- rences and events and are not purely malevolent stereotypes. I belong to two of the currently most maligned and negatively perceived groups in this country. My name and my skin attach me irreversibly to both regardless of my degree of affiliation. But there comes a point when you cannot wonder why people hold certain beliefs. Self-accountability, and even better group accountability, are imper- ative for honest reflexive evaluations. You can't join a group with a certain character to it and be surprised when you are perceived as such. "Just because I'm on the track team doesn't mean I'm fast"... etc. The ease at which people are herded into groupthink and ideological thinking is perhaps, why I am so averse to aligning myself to close to any one thing. And the even greater ease at which people fight to deem themselves individuals in spite of facts and surroundings displays the power of these groups. What are you? Why don't you really want a root beer? a Rahim can be reached at hrahim@umich.edu. The Porch of Diplomacy JOEL HOARD COLD LAMPIN' ear Middle East- ed. And should you not fancy either of those wise must be checked before entering the ern political options, additional arrangements for liquor premises. leader, can of course be made. It is a common prac- After we reach a solution to all your You are cordially tice for my housemate Glenn to purchase a problems, which will hopefully occur at 3 invited to attend a summit pint of Goldschlager and then pass it around a.m., we will order a large New York-style on my porch (hereafter The Porch until everyone has experienced cheese pizza. Mind you, it will not actually known as The Porch) this its warm, cinnamon-y goodness. come from New York, but I wholeheartedly Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, You see, we here at The Porch make it a assure you that it will be delicious and fill- beginning promptly at 10 policy not to exclude on any basis. Whether ing. This late-night meal is not only a won- p.m. EDT. you're a beer person, a fruit-flavored malt derful bonding experience, but it is quite It has come to my attention that you have beverage person or a liquor person, you will necessary to avoid the dreaded hangover. been experiencing problems with your neigh- find our inviting arms open wide. With our pizza consumed, we will have bors of late, and I feel very strongly that Should you drink too much and vomit our final drink of the night and engage in something should be done to correct them. I in our restroom, please do not feel embar- one last sing along, this time to Jeff Buck- firmly believe that by the end of this summit rassed, and do not worry about the mess. ley's cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelu- we will have reached an understanding and Glenn will be more than happy to clean up jah." Tears will flow and we will slowly that a working peace will be in place. after you. sway side to side as we lose ourselves in the You may be wondering why this of all During the summit, we will listen to song's ethereal beauty. summits will provide a solution to your dif- wonderful compilation CDs, which will have And finally, we will pour out 40 oz. bot- ficulties. Please allow me to explain. Past been created by committee so that racial and tles of Budweiser Light beer (we sure as summits have lacked that certain je ne sais ethnic groups are represented equally. White hell aren't going to drink the stuff) in.mem- quoi that only The Porch can offer you, for artists like Weezer, Rancid and Oasis will be ory of all of those we lost on the road to you see, The Porch is not just an ordinary placed right alongside black artists like peace. We will then hug before we part porch. It is, as my ,housemate James puts it Michael Jackson, Public Enemy and Justin ways. We will have reached a supreme so eloquently, an instrument of diplomacy. Timberlake. We will pause our discussion to understanding. We will have ushered in an There exists no friendlier or more welcom- sing along with such songs as "Champagne era of peace, love and understanding. You ing place in the world. Supernova" and "Senorita" and think of the will return to your homelands and spread We will discuss your situation over beer, happy times to come. the word. Suicide bombings and missile and since this will be such a special gather- However, we must remember to mind attacks will be brought to an end, and your ing, we will buy something better than the volume so that we do not attract the people will no longer have to live in fear. Labatt Blue for once. It will not be neces- attention of the vigilant Ann Arbor Police There is nothing that cannot be accom- sary for you to chip in for beer; the mere Department, for they are quick to anger. plished on The Porch. You're welcome back offer warms our hearts and is compensation There is nothing like a noise violation to anytime; we're here every weekend. enough. Nor will it be necessary for you to cast a pall over our proceedings. I must also pick up your empty bottles at the end of the remind you to bring proper identification (a Signed sincerely, with utmost love, night. Ann Arbor's infinitely friendly and driver's license will be ample) so that you respect and goodwill, helpful homeless population will see to it can prove that you are of legal drinking age, that the bottles are collected. Symbiosis! should that become a necessity. Joel Hoard Should you not like beer (looking your I must also ask you to remember that way, ladies), do not feel excluded, because there is no fighting allowed on The Porch. Hoard can be reached at fruit-flavored malt beverages will be provid- All weapons of mass destruction or other- j.ho@umich.edu. LETTER TO THE EDITOR 41 White folks need to be more tolerant, respect minority-only spaces To THE DAILY: In Johanna Hanink's column 'Metnbers- only' diversity (09/22/03) Hanink asks for an explanation as to why it is ok to have meet- ings and spaces that are reserved solely for understand why demanding an explanation from people of color is usually insulting, regardless of intention. White folks have ruthlessly and systemat- ically excluded people of color from nearly every public and private sphere. How then can we be surprised when people of color create their own public and private spheres? How can we justify feeling alienated and then have the audacity to demand that we have access to those spaces as well? Spaces in which people can dialogue and actively themselves with us. Effective shared spaces W depend upon honesty and trust built in both shared and closed spaces. CLAIR MORRISSEY JACKIE BRAY LSA seniors EMILY SQUIRES Art and Design junior PETE WOIWODE LSA junior E i7 ki'1 '4[ Xt i..lifc7 i .kdkkk kinW3.E1 4 k:R 'W'::.> ;::: ; Mi.13 Sf : -V {NA A.. ,7 1 rl i j: f 'W i..'. A K .i. !f.l 7. BF.R'::