8B - The Michigan Daily - Weo4 e4. - Thursday, October 5, 1995 Author argues homosexuals are 'Virtually Normal' By Matthew Benz Daily Arts Writer The cover to "Virtually Normal: An Argument About Homosexuality," is tan and blue with a disciplined touch of cool, inviting touch of orange. The prose that lies within in it, fashioned by Andrew Sullivan, editor of the "New Republic," is calm and intelli- gent. He chooses his words wisely, and the thoughts that they express appear to be the collective product of precision thinking. (English by birth, Sullivan studied modern history and modern languages at Oxford and later received a doctorate in political sci- ence from Harvard.) In keeping with this apparent level- headedness, Mr. Sullivan sets forth in the Prologue the purpose of his tome. "This is not a book about how a per- son deals with his or her sexuality. It is a book about how we as a society deal with that small minority of us which is homosexual." It is "an at- tempt to think through the argument on all sides as carefully and honestly as possible; to take the unalterable experience of all of us, heterosexual or homosexual, and try to make some social and political sense of it." A professed member of this minor- ity, Sullivan approaches homosexu- ality from what he perceives to be four distinct perspectives: prohibition- ist, liberationist, conservative and lib- eral. He follows this with a socio- political proposal ofhis own, andcon- cludes "Virtually Normal" with an attempt to answer the question, "What are homosexuals for?" By Sullivan's reckoning, prohibi- tion is the most widely supported of the fourarguments againsthomosexu- ality. He writes, "The prohibitionists - at least those determined to be consistent - wish to cure or punish people who practice homosexual acts, and to deter all the others who might be tempted to stray into the homo- sexual milieu." As far as they are concerned, homosexuality is a choice. "Just as any person can be guided to tell the truth or to be finan- cially prudent, so any human being can be directed to heterosexual con- duct." The central premise of the liberationist movement is that ho- mosexuality is a "definition of a par- ticular way of being as defined by a particular culture." As such, it is something that can be manipulated I nnVirtually Normal: Argument Ablout Homosexuality By Andrw Sullivan Alfred A. Knopf, hardcover 1995 so as to serve best the societal good. Such a view opposes Sullivan's no- tion -the same one he uses to refute both arguments -that homosexual- ity is rooted in a person's deepest sexual and emotional desires. Thus, the question of it being an individual's choice is essentially ruled out: Homosexuality is too much an integral component of one's iden- tity. The hole that Sullivan punches in the argument of conservatives - who believe politics to be "an arena in which it is necessary to affirm certain cultural, social, and moral values over others" - is that they deny homosexuals, whom they con- sider to possess a character harmful to society, the very supports and in- stitutions that might help to guide them to more virtuous ways of life. Finally, Sullivan addresses liberals who, he says, "seek to flatten society in order to improve it": Regardless of individual differences, liberals move to group people according to "their commionv'ctimhoodandmarginality." Yet the great variance of the emotions involved makes their approach "uniquely ill-suited"to homosexuality. In every chapter - save, perhaps, for the one dealing with liberationism - Sullivan defines clearly the argu- ment he wishes to address and offers a cogent one in response. His ap- proach is, in general, logical and me- thodical. In the final two chapters, however, he seems to lose his focus and a certain amount of argumenta- tive force in the process of tackling broader, more sweeping issues. He allows subjective emotionality to en- ter into his hitherto disciplined rea- soning. In the book's final pages, par- ticularly, Sullivan writes ofabattered dignity possessed by homosexuals in the face of, and in response to, their societal non-acceptance. He conveys this personal fortitude in eloquent and thoughtful terms, but the relationship between this contemplative emotion- ality and the rationality of the preced- ing arguments is not entirely clear. It would seem to be unfair. though. to place the entire blame for this trans- formation on the author. Rather, it may point to a larger truth regarding the nature of any argument that must be fashioned to achieve Sullivan's desired aim of achieving the accep- tance and integration of homosexuals into larger society. (To this end,'the securing of civil marriage for homo- sexuals is, as Sullivan sees it, '"the only reform that truly matters"). Perhaps there is a thread of emotion intrinsic to the fabric of debate sur- rounding homosexuality's proper re- lationship to society that cannot be avoided. For homosexuals to find a lasting place of peace in society, per- haps one cannot allow discusioi to take place only in terms of the "poli- tics of homosexuality." The debate, by its very nature, may be more all- encompassing and irrational. And so, in the end, the value of "Virtually Normal"may lie less in Mr. Sulli'vao's resolution of any particular issue than in the thoughtfulness and eloquence he brings to the debate. Festival to showcase Indian culture, heritage Celebration is month-long, diversity is timeless By Elan A. Stavros Daily Arts Writer When people think about the coun- try of India, they may conjure up inaccurate images of its people and culture. Friends of India, a Univer- sity Indian student group, is spon- soring a month-long Festival of In- dia to showcase the country's ethnic variety. "Frankly, there are a lot of stereo- types people have. It's a great cul- ture and has a lot to offer," pre-med senior Harprit Bedi said. Bedi is the president of the Indian-American Student Association, anundergradu- ate group which has nearly 400 mem- bers. Bedi said it's probably the larg- est Indian group in the nation and one of the largest student groups on campus. The first annual festival, expected to attract visitors from all over south- east Michigan, began Oct. 2 with an inaugural ceremony featuring Ann Arbor Mayor Ingrid Sheldon and Uni- versity Vice President of Student Af- fairs Dr. Maureen Hartford. The fes- tival runs through Nov. 4 and in- cludes about 20events, such as semi- nars, concerts, films, lectures and bazaars. Most events are free. "The sole intention is to showcase different Indiancultures,heritage and lifestyles to their fellow Indians as well as non-Indian counterparts," Satish Menon said, member of In- dian Development Services in Ann Arbor. "We hope once it's in motion the students will be interested in do- ing it next year." The Friends of India consists of several University Indian organiza- tions: the Indian Student Associa- tion (made up of about 120 graduate students who were born in India), the Hindu Student Association and the Sikh Study Circle. Bedi said that at least 800 University students are In- dian. "We (the Indian student groups) realized that we weren't having much impact separately so we decided we'd have more if we came together for this idea,"civil engineering grad stu- dent and Friends of India coordina- tor Karthik Obla said. One highlight, he said, will be the Indian Bazaar Oct. 8 on the Diag, displaying artifacts from various states of India, selling food, cloth- ing, jewelry. World-renowned violinist Dr. L. Subramaniam will perform Oct. 15 at Rackham/Hill Auditorium. Subramaniam has played with the Philharmonic Orchestra and per- formed in various films, including "Little Buddha." "There are alot of great musicians in and out ofthe Indian community," Bedi said He referred to the Mystery of India Cultural Show on Nov. 4 in Hill Audi- torium as "the grand finale" of the festival. In its seventh year, the show will present three and a half hours of different,"Obla said. The month-ing song, dance, skits and fashion, all pro- festival is a modern celebration of duced by some 300 students. "It's been India's timeless diversity. a popular program in the past, selling "India will be presented as a Multi- out at the Michigan Theater in four faceted cultural experience giving hours last year," said Bedi. non-Indians a flavor of the diverSty "There is extreme diversity in In- within India," Menon explained 'a dia, a country of 25 states, each very country with roots back 2000 years." * O fl~fM OMOj fM IfMiM1 . o R f Ofl I * I I * Alk-The Wright Way * ~ Braid & Nail Shop * 16225 W. 7 Mile Road Between Greenfield & Southfield Roads Detroit, MI 48235 Mon.-Thurs. 9-8 Fri-Sat. 9-9 OVO '7 I Call For Appointment (313)837-7366 with this ad Walk-Ins Welcome _®®®® ® ®®®®Mminm® mm®m Thinking about law school? Plan to attend........ Law Day Wednesday, October 11, 1995 noon - 4:00pm Michigan Union 2nd floor Collect application information and explore law education options * Meet with admissions representatives from US law schools * Explore paralegal programs * Gather information on test preparation services and law-related campus organizations ttend the Law School Admissions Panel 4:10pm - 5:00pm " Increase your understanding of the law school admissions process " Collect tips to enhance the quality of your application * Ask your questions about the selection criteria process Career Planning Pla ent tx I s~ak~tt. Au(j Traditional Indian dance being perfonned at 1994's Festival of India. The month long festival is an anual event which showcases Indian culture and diversity. I BUY ONEs The H h, D sC - SANDWICH. Lo-Ft ndFt-re Fod ET ONE - Mprssok2, e Try ur Nw Brakfat Bael! expires: 12/31A19