Letters
to the Editor
Demand
from ASU criticized
I’m
writing in response to Harold Fisher’s letter
of opinion in which he demands an apology
for the fliers posted on campus for the
Graphic Design Junior Show.
Mr Fisher fails to note that the fliers
were abstract in nature, and were not intentionally
offensive to anyone. Mr. Fisher also goes
on to demand that an apology be issued to
all African-Americans on the campus.
This is interesting, because it seems that
Mr. Fisher feels that he speaks for all
African-Americans on campus, which is news
to me.
Did all the African-Americans have a secret
meeting two nights ago, conducted by Mr.
Fisher?
It’s also interesting to note that Mr. Fisher
is the “Sergeant of Arms” in the African
Student Union. I wonder if the Japanese
Animation club also feels the need to designate
a “Sergeant of Arms” for their organization.
I sincerely hope that an apology is not
issued. I suspect Mr. Fisher will always
be offended by something, which he has every
right to be, just as every student on this
campus has the freedom guaranteed to us
in the First Amendment to the Constitution.
My suggestion to Mr.Fisher, Jerry Falwell,
Rush Limbaugh, and everyone else that demands
that society conform to their ideals of
morality would be to become familiar with
that document, and realize that we all have
the freedom of expression.
—
Adam Anglin
Use
of word “racist” outrageous
I
would greatly appreciate the printing of
this letter in the On-line Forty-Niner.
It is in response to the outrageous letter
printed last Thursday regarding the African
Student Union’s accusation that a Graphic
Design show flier is racist. Such as accusation
begs for a response and I feel that it is
only fair to have an opposing viewpoint
presented.
The word “racist” is a very serious and
damaging term to anything it is applied
to, and its use should never be taken lightly.
Harold Fisher and the African Student Union
have demonstrated an outrageously irresponsible
use of the word in his letter to the editor
last Thursday. Without bothering to find
out what the meaning of the noose in the
Junior Graphic Design Show stood for it
was assumed that it promoted racism and
terrorism. The noose is a symbol of execution
by hanging, and it has adversely affected
black people throughout history. However,
it has also affected everyone else in human
history as well. Execution by hanging has
been around since before the time of Jesus,
and has been used on many people, not just
black people. To say the image of a noose
is a racist statement is not only irresponsible,
but it is also a very self-centered thing
to say regarding a subject I think Mr. Fisher
has little knowledge of. I would like to
urge Mr. Fisher and the African Student
Union to take the time and find out from
the artist that made the flier why he used
a noose. I would imagine their shouts of
racism would be quieted. I also urge the
African Student Union to be cautious when
throwing around words like, “racist,” you
will only look like instigators of a conflict
that really isn’t there, and as a result
you will lose your credibility as an organization.
—
Jason Garthoffner
ASU
overreacted to ad
I
would just like to agree with Monday’s anonymous
letter writer, who felt that not only is
the noose a universal symbol, and therefore
not the race-specific “slap in the face”
Sidney Cosby believes it to be, but also
art and, dare I say it, free speech.
How dare the university decide to censor
an artist’s work? It was neither obscene
nor illegal. It was simply a thought-provoking
piece of art, which could be interpreted
in many ways.
Must the rest of the school suffer because
some people’s viewpoints apparently take
precedence over the rest of ours?
As a staffer for the Union newspaper for
the last four years, I have seen my fair
share of censorship and overreaction, and
this seems to be just one more example of
our school’s political correctness and hypersensitivity
to anyone being made uncomfortable. (And
I really must commend the On-line Forty-Niner
staff for addressing this issue at all).
I was initially a little shocked by Tanya
Cummings’ work, but my shock was soon replaced
by gratitude that I live in a country, and
go to a school, where artists are free to
make whatever statements they wish, regardless
of what others may think.
Apparently,
I was wrong.
—
Maren Ahnberg
Student
responds to attack
From
what I understand tolerance was once defined
as recognizing and respecting others’ beliefs
and practices even without sharing them.
Tolerance would often necessarily entail
enduring, or putting up with, someone or
something especially liked.
But today’s definition of tolerance seems
to be very different. Now, a “tolerant”
person views all values, beliefs, lifestyles,
and truth claims as equal.
I respect others beliefs, but as a follower
of Christ, if I thought that all religious
claims where equal, then I would not truly
believe what Jesus said when He claimed:
I am the Way the Truth and the Life.
Yes I am grateful that we have freedom of
religion in this country, and that we all
have a choice. If it wasn’t for freedom
of religion I might have not found Christ.
In response to Mr Ritchie’s article on “Religious
Adds too intrusive,” you’re right Mr. Ritchie;
it’s not my job to convert people, only
God can do that. But if I am to say that
this Jesus was God in the Flesh, and I have
truly grasped that He died for me, then
I must, by the very definition and character
of God, be submitted to and obedient to
what Christ called me to; mainly, to proclaim
the love of God to as many people as I come
in contact with before I die; especially
in a country where we have the freedom to
do so.
—
John Lockmer
Art Major
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