4A - Wednesday, October 15, 2008 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com C I 4e ffichician l Daill. Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. 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 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 I I F0 lt 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. 0 6 6 6 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: Readers are encouraged to submit letters to the editor. Letters should be less than 300 words and must include the writer's full name and University affiliation. All submissions become property of the Daily. We do not.print anonymous letters. Send letters to tothedaily@umich.edu. 4