4A - Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
C I
4e ffichician l Daill.
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ANDREW GROSSMAN
EDITOR IN CHIEF
GARY GRACA
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
GABE NELSON
MANAGING EDITOR
Unsigned editorials reflect the official position ofthe Daily's editorial board. All other signed articles
and illustrations represent solely the views ofttheir authors.
F5 .
Forming an alliance
New group rightly promotes LGBT awareness among Greeks
Despite much progress in the protection of civil rights
over the past century, lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-
gender people continue to be prime targets for discrimi-
nation. While the University is usually considered to be a tolerant
place, there is always room for improvement. Whether or not its
less-than-tolerant reputation is deserved, the University's Greek
system is one logical place to start. Thankfully, the Lambda Alli-
ance, a new student organization that aims to make Greek orga-
nizations on campus more LGBT-friendly, is the pro-active effort
needed to do just that this. The key to its success, though, will be
sustaining the effort.
The Lambda Alliance, a joint effort
between University's four Greek Coun-
cils and the Michigan Student Assembly,
became active this semester but was con-
ceived almost a year ago. The effort stems
from the idea that ignorance leads to mis-
understanding. The group has made its
primary purpose to educate others about
what it's like to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or
transgender, and has hosted a few small
functions to get this message out. The
group hopes to begin "ally training," an
educational program that teaches students
how to be more aware and understanding
of LGBT issues. One of the group's first big
efforts will be incorporating ally training
into the Interfraternity Council's upcom-
ing New Member Day.
While the group explicitly isn't counter-
ing a noticeable problem of intolerance in
the University's Greek system, it is counter-
ing an important one: perception. Whether
based in reality or not, some view the Greek
community as exclusive and intolerant:
Some of this stems from problems on other
campuses. But problems exist here, too. For
example, when the Spectrum Center per-
formed its Greek Climate Survey last year,
it found that fraternity and sorority mem-
bers were individually likely to accept a gay
member. On a "house level," when members
are in large groups and more influenced by
others' discriminatory beliefs, tolerance
levels drop.
Even a little intolerance is too much, and
the Lambda Alliance is a good way to keep
discrimination from worsening. When
we increase people's awareness of LGBT
issues, we help decrease ignorance that
leads to stereotyping, misconceptions and
discrimination. Stopping ignorance before
it grows is a way to be proactive and stop
widespread homophobia before it starts.
This organization's major hurdle will
likely be the same thing that plagues most
student start-ups: maintaining sustained
effort. If the Lambda Alliance is going to
be successful, it will need more than a few
alley training events this year. Individual
houses and Greeks will need to see to it that
tolerance is a priority.
The same goes for all students on campus.
Students shouldn't leave it to someone else
and someone else's group. Whether it's as
simple as choosing more mindful language,
change starts on an individual level.
Republican means slavery."
- Words graffitied by anonymous vandals on the York County Republicarq Party
headquarters in Rock Hill, S.C., as reported yesterday by The Associated Press.
ROSE JAFFE E-MAIL ROSE AT ROSEJAFF@UMICH.EDU
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hme eig L p eo g 1i ny
St om etria.sThingstaerer- ar'ot. yorijtao.Sert Prd hperrmhtt tgu.otravchae areunwAndnget
summer, Repubi- pepper spray and a security guard like make a generous compromise: Michi-
can state Rep. Tim " the rest of us? gan open carry enthusiasts, you are
Bearden decided - On Sunday afternoon, open-carry more than welcome to wear your
that it was his s proponents gathered at an Ann Arbor great equalizer to picnics. I can't
responsibility to park to draw attention to a cause imagine that people will be clamor-
protect the newly Bearden would likely impose upon ing to talk to you (especially in Ann
defined individ- unsuspecting travelers - if it weren't Arbor), but that's your prerogative.
ual right to bear EMMARIE already illegal in Georgia. "Open carry" However, we want something in
arms - in Atlanta's HUETT'EMAN is the shorthand term for publicly car- return: permits. There is no justifica-
Hartsfield-Jackson rying a gun in plain sight, a practice tion for keeping open carry an unreg-
International Air- that varies in legality from state to ulated practice when the state already
port. In a startling show of testoster- state but is legal in Michigan. Unlike requires a permit for concealed weap-
one, Bearden filed a lawsuit against carrying a concealed weapon, it doesn't ons. It would provide an extra back-
the airport for its "illegal" gun ban and reqire a permit, though it is restricted
announced that he would be picking up from certain public places. But if you're
family members from the busy airport under 21, open carry is the way to go,
the next day with his personal firearm since you must be 21 or older to obtain a W e need to pull
in tow. concealed pistol permit.
He backed down after the airport As I, scoured -coverage of the the trigger on open
general manager said he would have event and then the group's website,
him arrested. A month later, a federal I searched for the "why" and, again, carry laws.
judge upheld the ban. came up short. About 25 people gath-
After that showdown, I wondered if ered, handguns holstered to their
conspicuously gun-wieldingpoliticians belts, and demonstrated the advan-
were the nation's next big threat. But tages of open carry: No one got hurt, ground check, and requiring firearms
more than that, I wanted to know why. and they got to prove that it's possible training, which is already a neces-
Why is it so important that Bearden be to make a political statement and eat sary part of applying for a concealed
allowed to bring his gun into an air- a hot dog at the same time. At this weapons permit, would ensure that
port when my travel-size shampoo is point, I've heard everything from Michigan gun owners ae capable of
still subject to inspection? And more needlepoint morals like "a right unex- handling a firearm. It would also pro-
specifically, why is the right to bear ercised is a right lost" to self-defense, vide an incentive for them to become
arms in public so crucil to American self-defense and more self-defense. fully aware of their rights and the
gun enthusiasts that the concept of gun I'm still not convinced. rights of their fellow (non-gun wield-
control drives them to do, well, crazy Opinions on gun control aside, the ing) citizens.
things? argument that openly arming your- Maybe then someone can give me a
Bearden's protests were disturbingly self in public increases your personal better answer about why average citi-
short on reason. He spent most of his 15 safety doesn't make sense. While zens should be allowed to carry guns
minutes of infamy complaining about people may be less likely to mess with in public than "because it's a God-
how his Second Amendment rights you if you're armed, logically they given right.""Yeah, you're right."
were being violated. Beyond clinging will be more likely to use a gun when
to a clich6 concern for "protection," they do if they see you with one. I Emmare Huetteman is an associate
though, he didn't really explain why don't think temper is one of those ed itorial page editor. She ca n be
the average citizen needs a gun in an things they check when you apply for reached at huetteme@umich.edu.
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EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Nina Amilineni, Emad Ansari, Elise Baun, Harun Buljina, Ben Caleca, Satyajeet Deshmukh,
Brian Flaherty, Matthew Green, Emmarie Huetteman, Emma Jeszke, Shannon Kellman,
Edward McPhee, Emily Michels, Kate Peabody, Matthew Shutler, Robert Soave, Eileen Stahl,
Jennifer Sussex, Radhika Upadhyaya, Rachel Van Gilder, Margaret Young
SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU
i
This year's election about
more than single issues
acknowledge th
Besides, Pali
come to Ann A
spending thous
lives wouldn't 1
TO THE DAILY: votes and the r
I am writing in response to Elise Aikman's let- more people tov
ter to the editor Monday about Barack Obama's Michigan sh
support for abortion rights (Obama's pro-choice battleground sta
views go against message of hope,10/12/2008). and even McCa
Aikman said that she normally votes Democrat tiple times. Mos
but is voting Republican this year because of luxury.
Obama's abortion stance.
I hope she realizesthat regardless of what deci- Reda Jaber
sion any particular woman makes, we are stillin a MedicalSchool
war, going into a recession and in the midst of an
energy crisis. In addition, already born children US.capi
are being denied medical attention, and these t
same children aren't being sufficiently educated.
I find it incredible that people like Aikman some- it isn't reo
one could base their vote on one issue. Besides,
John McCain still maintains the belief that abor- TO THE DAILY
tion should remain legalin the case of incest, rape The most imi
and ifa mother's health is in jeopardy. market capitalis
In her letter, Aikman also repeatedly referred can only be deft
to unborn fetuses as "citizens." Would she also Free market cal
support the idea of charging women who mis- where all prope
carry for manslaughter? duction) is priv
Lastly, it would be undemocratic to deny a voluntary.
woman the right to chose whether she wanted to Recently, mu:
have a baby or not. If women can't choose, they directed at free
would find "uncivilized," dangerous and unregu- have a purely ca
lated ways to have abortions. ism for the lates
I believe that to see any hope for this nation, the spread offen
we need to givethe children that we already have Whether it's atm
the best chance for a bright future by providing trols or the lac
them with health care, a better education and the clear that the id
opportunity to attend college. I believe this is the it doesn't exist.
only way we can take a bottom-up approach to What is often
helping future generations. ally closer to co
market, but due
Adrienne Dusky have influenced
Kinesiology freshman from what con
system, there w
Michigan was battleground Department ofE
ly no World Tra
long before Pali ktooknotice Monetary Fund
review yesterday
wasn't clear if t
TO THE DAILY: distinction (Seat
In his column yesterday, Brandon Conradis common error.I
made it seem like Sarah Palin is the only candi- Kudlow and tho
date acknowledging Michigan voters (Noticed have presentedc
by No. 2, 10/14/2008). If Conradis had done some ism.
research, he would have found out that Barack's Free market c
Obama campaign is still in Michigan, he and Joe alongside whoev
Biden have traveled here often and, in fact, they the IMF. Add th
opened up a brand new Campaign for Change Iwill drive the t
volunteering office in Wyandotte on Saturday
even though McCain has already dropped out of Vincent Patsy
the state. It would've been nice for Conradis to LSA senior
ese efforts.
h and McCain have no reason to
rbor. This area is so liberal that
ands of dollars and risking their
be worth the extra dozen or so
isk that coming would provoke
vote against them.
ould feel lucky to have been a
ate for so long. Obama and Biden,
ain, have visited this state mul-
st other states have not had that
talism fails because
illy capitalism
Y:
portant word in the phrase "free
ism" is free. Freedom, I believe,
ined as the absence of coercion.
pitalism is the economic system
rty (and therefore means of pro-
ately held and all exchanges are
ch disdain and derision has been
market capitalism. But we don't
pitalist system. To blame capital-
st economic crisis is like blaming
se for Michigan's losses this year.
aonetary manipulation, price con-
k of a running quarterback, it is
ealized system can't be blamed if
called capitalism today is actu-
rporatism or fascism. We have a
e to a manipulation of prices, we
d the allocation of goods away
sumers want. In a free market
'ould be no Federal Reserve, no
Energy or Education and certain-
de Organization or International
. When I was reading the Daily's
y of the film "Battle in Seattle," it
he author was able to'make this
ttle calling, 10/14/2008). This is a
People from the right like Larry
se from the left like Eleanor Clift
our system as free marketcapital-
capitalists would protest andfight
ver wanted to abolish the WTO or
e Federal Reserve to this list, and
ank.
EMMA JESZKE|
Cooking up alternatives
a
Dinnertime in the residence halls is a routine activity
for most freshmen. They know there will be something
there that they can eat, and - for the most part - it won't
be too terrible. However, for vegan students on campus,
the experience is substantially different. Every time I go
to a residence hall for dinner, I wonder why I bother eat-
ing there in the first place.
While the University prides itself on having "a vegan
option at every residence dining hall location," that's a bit
of a hollow statement when the only vegan meal option
is steamed broccoli and a baked potato. Because I live in
Oxford Housing, I have the inconvenience of making a
cross-country trip every time I want a dining hall meal.
When I finally get to the cafeteria, I want to eat some-
thing that doesn't sound repulsive - and yes, a spongy
piece of tofu covered in a green leafy substance is classi-
fied as repulsive.
I think that the University is convinced that the only
things vegans eat are frozen veggie burgers, rice and
weird ethnic foods. Don't get me wrong: I love all of
these things in moderation. But somehow, the dining
halls manage to make them inedible and disgusting. I
can't count how many times I've eaten stir-fry tofu and
vegetables soaked in salty soy sauce, and how many nasty
veggie burgers I've eaten from the "Grill on the Hill." But
breakfast is the most awful experience, because the only
real food option, other than dry toast, is grits. Let's be
honest: who the hell eats grits?
The thing that really blows my mind is that the Uni-
versity makes vegan food disgusting, boring and repeti-
tive-when it doesn't need to be. I know that a lot of people
go loony when they hear that vegans don't eat animal
products, butI assure you it's an easy and satisfying diet.
Flavorful vegan food exists, and there are many ways the
dining hall could cater to vegan students without hav-
ing to spend money on a completely different set of meal
options. I challenge the residence halls to offer one vegan
entree that doesn't contain noodles. If I eat one more plate
of bow-tie noodles and tomato sauce, I might croak.
So here are a few unexplored options the University
could work into the meal: vegan muffins or pancakes
for breakfast, vegan lunchmeats or "chicken" nuggets at
lunchtime and vegan gravy with mashed potatoes and
corn at dinner. Or add simple options like vegan cream
cheese and butter. Those would make the entire selection
of bread and bagels more accessible for vegan students.
If only.
Because of the dining halls' lack of vegan food options,
I'm a broke college freshman, forced to spend most of my
money on food. I just can't bring myself to eat dinner at
the residence halls when Ann Arbor is full of so many
great restaurants with real options. As my money supply
begins to dwindle, though, eating in the residence halls is
becoming my only financially responsible option. That's
a sad experience with unless the cafeterias start making
changes.
I hope the University decides to expand its horizon and
explore its vegan options at the residence dining halls. I
know that I'm not the only student in the freshmen class
that chooses to eat animal-friendly. I also know that I'm
not the only person who hates eating nasty food. I don't
feel like anyone who follows a vegan diet should be pun-
ished to death-by-noodles from the cafeterias.
I'd rather eat at Earthen Jar, anyway.
Emma Jeszke is an LSA freshman.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
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