Page 4 -The Michigan Daily- Monday, March 25, 1991 Wbz Mirbigan BaiIy w7e- WON 1 v 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 Edited and Managed by Students at the University of Michigan ANDREW K. GOTTESMAN Editor in Chief STEPHEN HENDERSON DANIEL POUX Opinion Editors vv %I(%-N Q1 t~t 5 ) 1Th15 A WAF (5 FavmL1LY Jk VtC-Ro , R4IF}Y S&APDAM IA)L.L U-SIO v AND~ V FXaE sts F rND. N. AlL16 I0( Unsigned editorials represent a majority of the Daily's Editorial Board. All other cartoons, signed articles, and letters do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Daily. r... . .}':;..................... :G { ...aS J "..{ f: ,.VL^1...S ...Y~::'{ r{: ...n:rvr.. . ....................................................: .......\ ........r.}.:..........::v....................................................... y" ". : ..r. . .w r..v: i">C<':;;:i:{': ~~>"}":>:a:i? :? ::4 i [:ti y :;,'i}:;': ::} r : ;' ".. .: "..:{ "' ri'" {"}}. 1 "fv. 4 ". *.'v.r 'i :"*.*.*.*.: .. MSAv,{".r7 electionr" ."... " s"r $tuens4holdvoe orES,;ndpedet anidte p , - % . t1,1 - . No) THAT$ WHAT V PgE CNE, T t ..c... A . " N . he Michigan StudentAssembly (MSA) needs a change; hardly anyone would argue that point. And when students vote in the assembly's spring elections tomorrow and Wednesday, they should consider which party's platform best em- Oodies the reform-minded attitudes necessary to facilitate that change. To this end, the Emphasizing Student Power (ESP) party clearly out-distances the field of other candidates. Led by LSA sophomore and presiden- tial candidate Eric Stempien, ESP is the only party that offers the fresh perspective, optimistic initia- tive and concrete platform needed to truly reform the assembly during the next year. The planks of the ESP platform focus on return- ing the assembly to its primary directive: effective representation of the student body. In the past two years, assembly members have spouted rhetoric about representing students, but done little to actually legitimize their claims. Po- litical bickering and counterproductive, partisan agenda setting have taken precedence over real service of the student body. Students now do not feel adequately repre- sented by MSA - as evidenced by the shamefully low voter turnout - and the assembly has little credibility with the administration. Through increased student involvement in the assembly and an enhanced working relationship with the administration, ESP promises to rectify these dilemmas. In terms of getting students more interested and active in MSA activities, ESP plans to bring the assembly to the students. Polling students about their perceptions of MSA and tabling in the Fish- bowl, Michigan Union Grill, and other student centers are part of ESP's plan, and will undoubt- edly make some strides toward greater student involvement. In terms of bridging the communication gap between administrators and students, ESP aspires to establish a productive working relationship with the administration while maintaininga strong push for protection of student rights. Stempien and the other party members seem to have a clear recog- nition of the need for a balance between the two. In addition, ESP hopes to procure a permanent student seat on the University Board of Regents - a move that would greatly improve the board's effectiveness in dealing with students. Indeed, these are lofty goals; ESP's limited experience on the assembly contributes to its starry- eyed ideals. But what the party lacks in experience is compensated by its firm commitment to student interests, and its confidence in the ability to achieve its goals. Students would do well to have a few strong-willed ideologues in assembly seats, and ESP would provide this better than any other party. However, because ESP does not have enough candidates to acquire a majority of the assembly seats, students should also vote for the independent candidates running for individual seats. MSA stands at a crucial junction in its existence. Students and administrators alike are beginning to recognize the assembly's legitimate shortcomings. Stempien and the other ESP candidates also rec- ognize these shortcomings, and have pledged to address them if elected - with real solutions. Students should take advantage of their op- portunity to move the assembly toward reform in the next year, and should vote ESP tomorrow and Wednesday. '(A , 1> + 7' 4 ,{ Oe t &)VER AcCEPT(( ?D Zt N c N.T YR}.'.4 "}'x.V ... ... ..... ":. . . J :41. .r:. R4yy1 .... 111".1":::.",4'r.VR1".'. """""" """""""'" .. ............................. ".................t..... L ".Vx.V .V.V.1V.Y. 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"xx: R{fi:"'fi:x::.:":.:.iR .::y.. y.J ...... 4..: r.:..:..:.::..:...:'i.:'::«:'r::{":":ti':':::' .^: .... ... fiJR.. :tifi:':":t.{r:t':":::.x..x. yn1S n..n.1.........."xxx ....... . r1':}I:^} : ^} ........................... ::: ::':4 "Ji :v............................ :::::::.V:.V:.^::: x.Vr.V:.V.'J:x: x.Vt 4'R":: ,, .:..!.,..!.,.....",. .......................................... .. .........y....1".4".1V 1................Rx:Y.4V.Yxx:":.{":x:".t".Vxt1"".V:.Vx.:x.".r.1V.1.:.'."::::.:^.".V.^.:^: J.^: J:::::. CC, Common Sense had their chance - and blew it T houghthe Emphasizing StudentPower(ESP) Indeed, every political figure party has earned the Daily's endorsement for political beliefs, and will act in the Michigan Student Assembly (MSA) spring them. But these student politicia elections, Common Sense - an undeniable off- sacrificed representation of the shoot of the now defunct Action party - and the body in favor of these political i Conservative Coalition (CC) also merit comment. high time students held them acc These two parties currently hold a majority of If either of these parties is v the seats on the assembly, and are largely respon- week's elections, students shouh sible for the political bickering and ideological the same from MSA; the assembl mud-slinging that now characterizes MSA. Clearly, be plagued by intense political any attempt at restoring the assembly's effective- student representation will not b ness must begin with their removal. But hopefully, students will de Despite claims by both sides to "truly represent tired of their interests taking a student interests," neither has taken any real, political beliefs of their elected positive steps to achieve this goal. Instead, they and vote the Conservative Coalit indulge time after time in self-important political carnation of the Action party - C battles that result instudent interests being shuffled out of office. aside. Mandate Entire 'U' community should push harder for divers n an effort to bolster enthusiasm and lend an written off as "tokenism," or "P appearance of progress, the University an- should be praised for highlight nounced recently that we have achieved "phase many different groups of people one" of the Michigan Mandate. The Mandate, contributions to our society. instituted in 1987 to lay out the University's strat- The administration can aid egies to build a "multicultural community," states struggle toward multiculturalism increased minority recruitment as its "phase one" sitive and inclusive policy decis goal. their stated commitment to div Inter-racial and cultural tensions, an under- Duderstadt's recent efforts to ton represented minority population on campus, and Quad macing incident and the hon poor efforts by the University to retain minority up of the recently armed Univer students once they recruit them all indicate that if indicate that the University consis we have indeed achieved "phase one," then our own rhetoric about sensitivity. expectations are too low. While the administration must. The University is notorious for enticing stu- any attempts the to improve r dents to come here with seemingly attractive campus will be fruitless without s scholarships - such as the Michigan Achieve- from students as well. Ultimate ment Award - that expire after one year. This will improve only through indivi leaves low-income and minority students hanging Students can take classes wit out to dry. The end result is a minority graduation focus or attend cultural events rate that is consistently 20 percent below gradua- understanding of different peopl tion rates of white students. to know people of different ethn The Eden-like pluralistic society that the Man- way in which students can work fo date touts cannot be achieved without a breaking on this campus. down of racial barriers; this will begin only through An afternoon glance at the Di Oixh everyday exchange of ideas. racial divisiveness that still per For this reason, curriculum changes are in or- versity community - and AnnA der. A diversity course requirement provides only But it is also important that th on angle from which to approach this complex not push for forced integration. I problem. People of color should be reflected in all to expect that students will not e academic disciplines. A student should not have to to be with others of the same eth take a class in African American studies to study For the last few years, the Un African Americans. taking baby steps in our j Professors and other faculty members in all multiculturalism in the year 200 fields must make a concerted effort to incorporate ulty members and administration discussion of the literature and cultures of as many focus their efforts to improve t groups as possible. Such actions should not be here. espouses certain accordance with ns have too often greater student nterests, and it is ountable for this. victorious in this Id expect more of y will continue to J in-fighting and e enhanced. ecide that they are back seat to the representatives, lion and the rein- ommon Sense- ity PC." Rather, they ing the fact that have made great the University's n by forging sen- sions that reflect versity. President e down the South nogeneousmake- rsity police force stently ignores its step up its efforts, ace relations on ignificant efforts ly, race relations idual initiatives. h a non-Western to increase their es. Striving to get icities is another Dr"true diversity" ag highlights the meates our Uni- Arbor in general. he administration t is unreasonable ver find the need nicity. iversity has been ourney toward )0. Students, fac- can each further he racial climate No more chalk!. To the Daily: I was walking down South University, enjoying the wonder- ful yet unusual March weather last Thursday morning, when I discovered a young man about my age playing with chalk. Now, I ask, what is a 20-year old doing with chalk at 10 a.m.? Well, that depends what time of year it is at the University of Michigan. Fraternities, sororities, protestors, and politicians all seem to enjoy regressing back to childhood and playing with chalk as college students. The particular student I saw Thursday morning was associated with the Common Sense party. He chalked his message on the sidewalk and on the archway of West Engineering Building: Vote Common Sense. Now, what do I know about the Common Sense party? The only things I know about this particular party come from articles in the Daily and the items placed on fliers plastered around the campus. There is no such thing as content in chalked messages. "Vote Common Sense" on the sidewalk will only make my attitude grow negatively towards this party because my "Common Sense" tells me that it is not right to deface property with ugly chalk. Kimberly L. Shafer LSA sophomore Pro-AIAC To the Daily: The U.S. imperialist victory in the Middle East has intensified the ruling class' war at home against blacks and other minori- ties, women, lesbians, gay men and workers. The South Quad, Los Angeles and New York City police attacks were not isolated incidents. Racism and police violence are methods used to maintain a layer of oppressed to keep capitalism running. Supporters of racist L.A. Police Chief, Daryl Gates, hung yellow ribbons to show "support" for their chief. This reveals how the disgusting wave of patriotism sweeping the country goes hand in hand with racism and racist violence. Police attacks will become more violent and frequent as the decaying system grasps for straws to maintain itself, and as the contradictions of capitalism multiply. No amount of pleading or lobbying the government or the administration will remove the economic motives for our oppression. Here at the University, we must build a movement to fight the racist administration by building a worker/student alliance. We need to demand all cops off campus and organize student/ worker defense patrols to fight racist, sexist, and anti-lesbian/gay attacks. Elected student/worker/teacher control of the University could begin to erode the racist system which uses police repression to keep people oppressed. Carolyn Allen Michael Cooper Anti-Imperialist Action Caucus Cryin' wolf To the Daily: I was alarmed by the article on security around the film New Jack City ("Theaters beef up security around 'New Jack City,"' 3/12/ 91). More specifically, I was alarmed by the comments made by patrons who claimed that this was due to racism. I would like to call their attention to the video taken in Los Angeles. Hundreds of people, Black and white, started a riot after being turned away from the theater due to a lack of seats. In New York, an argument during a showing of the film was taken outside of the theater. It ended with an estimated 100 rounds of ammunition being fired. Other such incidents have occurred across the country, and if I was running a theater showing the film, I would think about adding security, too. This is not the first instance of a group claiming prejudice when the facts do not seem to support it. Here, and around the country, whenever anything does not go well for a minority group, some members of the group cry racism, homophobia, etc... The nursery rhymes we were taught as children have points to them. Remember the little boy who cried wolf? I urge all groups and organiza- tions to look carefully at the facts and not try to act immediately. Each time they are wrong, they are going to loose credibility, and their chances of convincing the people who truly do discriminate will be lessened. John Rybock Engineering first-year student Kudos to Gill To the Daily: Weekend Columnist Mike Gill may be the best public relations tool the Daily has and it has nothing to do with his true assessments of the Marching band, or his other intriguing pieces. Frankly, where isn't Mike Gill? I've seen him at church, I've seen him at hockey games, I've seen him at basketball games, I've seen him at fraternity parties, and I've seen him at house parties. I even saw him when he went to donate blood. Needless to say, he is quite active in this community. A couple of times I walked past him, and said hi. He turned, smiled, greeted me, and asked asked me how I was doing; yet he does not know me. That's why I say he's the best public relations tool the Daily has; he is out and about, and a very friendly person. People can relate to this person. Keep up the good work, Mike Gill. Todd Ranbin ¢ .. .. ....w :. ... .. Ln "t;r S6SO n No one you will ever meet is sexist, racist or homophobic. Re- search shows that many Americans hold racist views. None of them lives here. One in 12 college men has com- mitted rape. None of them goes> to school here. Anti- gay biasFE NST crime is at an all-time high. They'rejust Pattrice bashing themselves M aurer to get atten- tion. If you think something is racist, homophobic, please do everyone a favor and shut up about it because you're wrong. If you think you've been discriminated against, re- member you are overly sensitive and prone to self-victimization. It sion. This makes people feel guilty and thus infringes on theircivil rights to insult anyone they want without bad feelings. The FBI reports that one in three women is raped and that bias crime is up. Since no one you know has the attitudes that allow rape or bias crime, you might wonder who per- petrates these acts. I favor the "lone psycho" theory: one sadly disturbed individual is racing around franti- cally raping women, bashing gays, shouting racial epithets and lower- ing paychecks. Discrimination exists. Charges of discrimination, however, are al- ways unfounded. Take that woman in New York who thought she was a bias crime victim just because a man shouted "dyke" while beating her. The New York Police Depart- ment set her straight. Here at the University, students of color subjectively allege. that police engaged in racism by macing them while shouting racist slurs. TL. --I:- .,- ~ n mon .-t~ is always elsewhere. They forget, too, that - Bush, Engler and Baker notwithstanding-PC lesbians and people of color now hold all the power in this country and that white, straight, male property owners are the real victims. Call me silly, but I often wonder how it can be that discrimination is elsewhere. Call me ignorant, but I often wonder if we ought not listen respectfully to people who report discrimination. Often, I find it hard to believe that everyone here has magically escaped the effects of racist, sexist, homophobic social- ization. I guess I'm just confused. The foregoing paragraphs are satirical. If you didn't get the joke, run - don't walk - to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC), the Lesbian and Gay Males Programming Office (LGMPO), or the Baker Mandela Center (BMC). Try not to punch anyone on the way. If you are angry about the joke, try to think about .,h W on h *t, n i r to vn g. ¢, . ' $' 0. Nuts and Bolts N ; ... X WAN'T YOU r ES I'LL SE YOU TNEN. [MY F'Afit.4-S .I 'M 1A 17tLFNERVOUSM.A JNE.O FtQ f% K. 2 MF~Ab I- i by Judd Winick HI HE B S E