4A - Wednesday, March 19,2008
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
Edited and managed by students at
the University of Michigan since 1890.
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Ann Arbor, MI 48109
tothedaily@umich.edu
ANDREW GROSSMAN
EDITOR IN CHIEF
GARY GRACA
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
GABE NELSON
MANAGING EDITOR
Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily's editorial board. All other signed articles
and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors.
The Daily's public editor, Paul H. Johnson, acts as the readers' representative and takes a critical look at
coverage and content in every section of the paper. Readers are encouraged to contact the public editor
with questions and comments. He canbe reached at publiceditor@umich.edu.
Diag disappointment
Releasing events schedule would reduce Diag woes
f you have something to say, the Diag isn't necessarily the
best place to be heard - especially if you're a small student
group with a fistful of pamphlets competing for attention
with a large, vocal crowd. Due to a University policy that keeps
schedules of student activities in the public space private, student
organizations often unexpectedly face such marginalization when
they plan programs on the Diag. By simply making the schedule
of Diag events available to interested groups, the University could
help students effectively use the public forum to their advantage
without worrying about competition.
It's understandable that many student
groups are overshadowed on the Diag by
the presence of organizations with the
resources to fund games and free food to
attract passersby.While the University tries
to protect against the encroachment of one
group's display on another's with a "shared
space" stipulation, it's still hard to compete
with a moonwalk when all one has to offer
is a petition and a bowl of candy. Student
groups have a right to attract attention as
they choose, but they should also have the
right to reserve space when it will be most
beneficial to them.
This dilemma could be resolvedby releas-
ing the schedule of Diag activities to orga-
nizations interested in reserving their own
space. However, the University contends
that revealing such information would be a
violation of student groups' privacy.,
Protecting privacy is important, and the
University is right to do it. In this case,
though, it's unclear what privacy is being
protected. Considering that these events
occur in a public space and are typically
advertised, this logic is questionable. The
University may potentially be protecting
groups from the harassment of opposition,
but it is also keeping students from mak-
ing informed choices and disadvantaging
groups with less resources.
In its dual role as the center of campus
and the center of campus activity, the Diag
is the ideal setting for student activism and
interaction. It has seen passionate dem-
onstrations against the vietnam War and
the war in Iraq, busy student organization
fairs and even a dunk tank or two. The Diag
is often chaotic, largely because that's the
nature of democracy on campus. However,
student groups should be able to choose
whether or not they want to buy into that
chaos on a given day.
By withholding the list of scheduled
events from students, the University is only
harming the effectiveness of their groups'
public programs. They should have the
right to choose whether they want to adver-
tise their cause alongside a modest display
or a speaker blasting music rather than
being left to the mercy of the University's
schedulers.
No one can predict the future."
- A common assertion of Arthur C. Clarke, who wrote "2001: A Space Odyssey" and is widely credited
with predicting the use of telecommunications satellites more than a decade early, as reported
yesterday by The New York Times. Clarke died yesterday at the age of 90.
ROSE JAFFE E-MAIL JAFFE AT ROSEJAFF@UMICH.EDU
ALL 41w wwr"
4mRew Yrk.
Lecture notes
or 37 minutes and 37 seconds "Dreams From My Father," Obama's al arguments that hide the collective
yesterday, Barack Obama wasn't speech was a nuanced explanation problem.
a politicianvyingfor ashot at the of the complex state of race relations Similarly, it's no secret that students
White House. He in America. He contends that racial of all races and ethicities at the Uni-
wasn't rehashing a inequality exists. It rears its ugly head versity segregate themselves. Differ-
tired stump speech. in America's public schools and prisons ent groups of students live in different
He wasn't urging and has its roots in hundreds of years of neighborhoods, attend different par-
voters to turn out oppression that can't be forgotten over- ties, go to differentbars and join differ-
for the big Pennsyl- night. Minority groups have reason ent student organizations.
vania primary next to still be angry. But Obam was still Instead of a reason to ignore race
month. He wasn't quick to indict black people like Wright and pretend that we can live in a color-
even cleaningup the who narrowly dwell on such anger. blind society, these distinctions should
mess surrounding On the other side, Obamasaid,"Most be reasons to acknowledge race.
the recent release of GARY working- and middle-class white Obama recognizes that racial mar-
videos ofsermonsby GRACA Americans don't feel that they have ginalization and prejudice are very
his friend and pas- been particularly privileged by their complex realities - not only in our
tor Rev. Jeremiah race." This experience breeds resent- nation's past, but in our present, too.
Wright Jr. in which Wrightcondemned ment, but considering these people While groups on all sides of the racial
the government as racist and corrupt. "racist" or "misguided" withoutunder- debate will be quick to embrace those
Despite all that, it would be unfair standing their concerns, he argued, is of his words that support their situa-
for me to deny that Obama's speech inappropriate. By the same token, for
will be politically beneficial. It was a white people to deny the inequality in
good speech. It was also naive of the America is equally inappropriate.
Clinton campaignto think that it could "It's a racial stalemate we've been W hat Obama s
use Obama's race as a weapon in the stuck in for years," Obama said. He
first place. He's the son of a Kenyan might as well have been talking about speech on race
father and a Kansan mother - how the Universitybecausethe same stale- for m '
many times does he have to say that mate exists here. means for CampUs
before we understand that he knows More thanayear after Michiganvot
a thing or two about the complexity of ers passed a constitutional amendment
racial issues? banning race- and gender-based affir- tion, we must remember to recognize
What Obama did yesterday was dif- mative action at public institutions in the other side. When we fail to consid-
ficult, and there were hundreds of ways the state, racial minorities on campus er that other side, legitimately listen to
that he could have disassociated him- feel like their communities are threat- those sides and consider them for our-
self from Wright without making this ened. And they're right. Their commu- selves, discrimination arises.
gamble. He could have disowned his nities are threatened. This amendment on campus we still have a long way
pastor, claimed he didn't know about has the potential to roll back decades of to go. When By Any Means Necessary
these fiery homilies and let the whole progress ethnic minorities have made hijacks events like the Ward Connerly
thing blow over. He could have called in higher education. But what is a more speech earlier this month or the Uni-
out the Hillary Clinton for making race difficult challenge is explaining this versity's chapter of Young Americans
an issue in the campaign when he never sentiment to white people who may not for Freedom hold uninformative and
wanted it to be. He probably could have understand that feeling. callous events like "Catch an Illegal
just avoided the whole thing altogeth- on the other side, there are probably Immigrant Day" - as it did in 2006
er. That probably would have been the many white high school students who - these groups polarize campus and
prudent thing to do, especially while feel relieved now that the ballot ini- prevent a necessary exchange.
trying to win a state once described as tiative has passed. There are probably As Obama said yesterday, these
Pittsburgh in the west, Philadelphia in many white parents who have lost their issues "reflect the complexities of race
the east and Alabama inthe middle. jobs in the automotive industry who no in this country that we've never really
He didn't do those things. Yesterday, longer worry that a minority student worked through - a part of our union
Obama was lecturing. And his lesson will have an advantage over their stu- that we have not yet made perfect.'
was one that students on this campus dent in receiving a coveted scholarship.
- whether they're Obama supporters With dwindling jobs in Michigan, they Gary Graca is the Daily's editorial
or not - should heed. are understandably concerned. Too page editor. He can be reached
Like the message in his first book often these people use these emotion- at gmgraca@mich.edu.
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Emad Ansari, Harun Buljina, Anindya Bhadra, Kevin Bunkley, Ben Caleca, Satyajeet Deshmukh, Milly Dick, Mike Eber,
Emmarie Huetteman, Theresa Kennelly, Emily Michels, Arikia Millikan, Kate Peabody, Robert Soave, lmran Syed,
Neil Tambe, Matt Trecha, Kate Truesdell, Radhika Upadhyaya, Rachel Van Gilder, Rachel Wagner, Patrick Zabawa.
MICHIGAN ACTION PARTY I VIEWPOINT
Vote Michigan Action Party
4
A
4
TIM HULL
MSA still needs work
For the past year, I have served as one of
the few independent representatives on the
Michigan Student Assembly. While there
are certainly many good things that MSA
does for students, like organizing Airbus and
homecoming, it has become quite evident
during my time on MSA that it has many
issues that keep it from being as effective as
it could be. Among these issues is a culture
that is somewhat difficult for outsiders - like
myself - to fit into.
Even as a representative, I have always felt
like an outsider. While many representatives
know each other from various groups outside
of student government, I came to MSA on my
own initiative as a student who cares for the
rest of the student body at the University.
In addition to my general "outsider" status,
I have a disability: Asperger's syndrome. For
these reasons, I came into MSA as a very dif-
ferent person than most. I act and think dif-
ferently, which means that I generally have
a difficult time associating with the social
cliques, political parties and other groups sur-
rounding (and within) MSA. This differing
perspective, not surprisingly, has on occasion
caused conflict between me and other MSA
representatives regarding matters of general
philosophy. It also has led to occasional preju-
dice against me as a result of both my man-
nerisms and differences of opinion.
Despite these issues, I do think that MSA
has benefited from my presence, even though
it still may have work to do. For one thing, I
am happy that disability issues have finally
been recognized by MSA as a legitimate con-
cern through the Disability Issues Select
Committee, even if it took too long for MSA
to do so.
Also, while MSA's culture of' political
and social cliques is still present, progress
certainly has been made during my term
towards making its culture less insular. MSA
has improved its outreach in my time as a
representative, and though it may not be per-
fect, I will say that what it has done is at least
a start. Furthermore, although it has been
difficult given my situation, I have been able
to convince MSA - on occasion - to consid-
er new ideas, such as my successful proposal
to require individual representative votes be
recorded and the aforementioned disabil-
ity committee. Granted, MSA has remained
firm in maintaining the party system, but
such large changes certainly don't happen
overnight.
Owing to this, I have decided that it's my
duty to run for re-election as an LSA repre-
sentative on MSA despite being a senior. I
will help MSA continue to work towards the
goal of making its culture more accepting of
the wide variety of viewpoints and perspec-
tives that make this university what it is.
While I may be graduating in a few months, I
do plan to stay at the University asagraduate
student and want to continue serving the stu-
dent body as an MSA representative. I hope
you willvote in the election, which started at
midnight today.
Tim Hull is an LSA senior and an independent
candidate for MSA representative.
SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU
Change in Action Party to
bring change to MSA
ing students on
you want and'
sidetracked by
just like what oi
meant to be: fort
TO THE DAILY: CIA's candid
I wholeheartedly agree with Dave Mekel- King, want to E
burg's column Friday about the Michigan energy to MSA.
Student Assembly: Scandal in the studentgov- Party's overwh
ernment is unacceptable, and something must atmosphere wh
be done to change it (How you can fix MSA, challenged, new
03/14/2008). But what he wrongly implied will finally effec
was that no one cares enough to create anoth- Honestly, ev
er party. Some students have already seen the about MSA. I he
need to change MSA and decided to do some- articles and lett
thing about it. That's where the Change in So if you're pass
Action Party comes in. you're passional
The Change in Action Party is focused on And here's theI
avoiding distracting scandals while getting vote. Please vote
things done in student government. Its prima- March 19 and 20
ry goal is to give students what they want - To learn mor
namely, change. I mean, who else never wants website at chang
to see another Daily article on the MSA presi-
dent creating an offensive Facebook group? Aimee Bowen
CIA wants to do a better job of represent- LSAfresman
campus by finding out what
delivering rather than being
internal problems. It sounds
ur country's government was
the people, by the people.
ates, Amy Leder and Dave
bring new people, ideas and
While the Michigan Action
elming majority creates an
ere the status quo is rarely
blood in student government
t change.
eryone's been complaining
ar it all the time, especially in
ers to the editor in the Daily.
sionate enough to criticize it,
te enough to change things.
great thing: All it takes is a
CIA in the MSA elections on
D.
e about the CIA, go to their
einaction.googlepages.com.
Today and tomorrow, students
will once again have the chance to
cast their votes in student govern-
ment elections, deciding who will
represent them in the year to come.
These elections play an important
role in students' lives and have
the potential to shape campus and
affect the student experience. It is
incredibly important for students to
cast informed votes to choose can-
didates that will work diligently as
advocates for students' ideals.
As the executive candidates for
the Michigan Action Party, we
commit ourselves to working for
students and being active voices for
change. The four of us have dedicat-
ed our college careers to improving
the University and are committed
to working tirelessly to improve
your experience on campus.
There is a lot of misinformation as
to what exactly MAP represents. We
are not politically affiliated. Rather
we are focused on improving the
campus experience for students in
as many ways and through as many
venues as possible. This semester,
we are running a full slate of nine
LSA Student Government repre-
sentatives and 13 Michigan Student
Assembly representatives. As party
leadership, we can draw upon our
many years of experience to assert
that the representaive candidates
running this year have campus
experiences that are diverse enough
to accurately represent the student
body. They also have the passion to
fight tirelessly for improvements
throughout the coming year. We do
not blindly follow a party ideology,
but rather we dedicate ourselves to
achieving tangible results and cre-
ating positive change for students
on this campus.
In the past, MAP representa-
tives have planned campus events
including homecoming, Taste of
Michigan and Gayz Craze. Our
members have also played a large
role in student government's recent
success, including the effort to find
a reasonable commencement venue,
creating the Peace and Social Jus-
tice minor, planning for next fall's
Energy Futures theme semester
and working to change the aca-
demic calendar. MAP members
are serving on several administra-
tive committees, including the LSA
Curriculum Committee, the Michi-
gan Union Board of Representatives
and the Student Relations Advisory
Committee. Through our work on
these committees, we have not only
succeeded in providing a strong stu-
dent voice but also building strong
relationships with administrators
that will allow us to continue effec-
tively representing students.
Although the general theme for
our executive campaign is increas-
ing student participation in all Uni-
versity decisions, we are dedicated
to achieving a platform of specific
ideas and project goals. On MSA,
we plan to work to expand health
insurance coverage for students,
organize buses for away-game
sporting events, increase LGBT out-
reach and secure off-campus light-
ing. On LSA-SG, we plan to work
to improve orientation advising,
create a more inviting government
climate, improve class descriptions
in the LSA Course Guide and raise
awareness about LSA-SG's func-
tions on the administrative level.
This list includes just a few of the
many ideas that we will work hard
to achieve in this next year.
We have the experience, dedica-
tion and passion that are essential
to creating positive change on this
campus. We hope that you feel
comfortable giving us your vote
and trust us to represent you for the
upcomingyear.
John Monaghan is the MAP vice
presidential candidate for LSA-SG.
Sabrina Shingwani is the MAP
presidential candidate for MSA. Arvind
Sohoni is the MAP vice presidential
candidate for MSA. Leslie Zaikis is the
MAP presidential candidate for LSA-SG.
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