| Summary: | Opinions Page 4 Concprd/gq,, Ejqbruary 8,,1995 Guest editorial: "A celebration for all" Black History Week. A week for affirming the richness of the black heritage and for recognizing the con-tributions blacks have made throughout history. What does this mean for white students at a.predominantly white college located in a predominantly white area? . . • Black History Week means that we too have the opportunity to celebrate in this week with our brothers and sisters of color. By encouraging and actively promoting a deep respect for racial and cultural differences, we can rejoice and learn from (rather than merely tolerate) these differences. Just as we seek to strengthen our sense of self and feeling of pride in our own heritage, we need to experience the beauty, that is in the heritage of others. 'Multiculturalizing our lives is the way to do this. So often what we see, hear and read comes dnly from a white perspective. If we are truly committed to a liberal arts educa-tion, we will seek different perspectives as a vital part of this education. This strengthens our appreciation of existing differences, but also demonstrates the commonalities be-tween peoples. The forces working against such an appreciation are very real and powerful. Stereotypes are deeply ingrained and negative images abound in the media and in literature. Undoubtedly, we live in a society that works to keep groups of people apart and promotes the growth of false ideas an^ fears about "the other." We must counteract these influences by increasing our awareness, developing our sensitivity and challenging injustices. Certainly part of this challenge lies in re-evaluating our accepted version of history. Much of black history has been ommitted from our textbooks. For example, few people know that it was a black man, Matthew Henson, who first located and stood on the North Pole. Although his companion Robert Peary arrived 45 minutes later, Peary is generally given credit for the discovery. It is also important we realize our daily lives are touched by contributions blacks have made: Garrett Morgan invented the traffic light, Charles Drew introduced the idea of a blood bank, Daniel Williams performed the first successful heart operation—and the list goes on. And, of course, history is still in the making. How many of us are aware that the presi-dent of the AELC, one of the three merging Lutheran bodies, is black? When our awareness increases, our world is broadened and we experience more of the richness of life. I encourage everyone to become actively involved in Black History Week. It is a celebration for us all. Joy Zimmerman "Joy Zimmerman is a junior from St. Louis, Mo. She is majoring in social work. Letters Seminar Ao f po I o g y ered To the editor: It is unfortunate that we must submit this letter of apology for the actions of other narrow-minded individuals who found it necessary to exploit the student senate elections by tampering with our posters. We feel that this action is only a sign of, vindictiveness toward the student senate election process. It is in a regretful tone that we must express our apologies as a result of another's pranks. First, to our opposition: we are sorry that you were made the targets of this foolish action. We hope that it doesn't reflect on your images of us as student senators. Secondly, to the student body: we are totally regretful that you were made part of these actions as well. It is a sad situation that someone has gone to such great measures to drag our names through the mud. We ask your help in eradicating this menace. Todd Nelsen, Sophomore/transfer senator Steve Anderson, Sophomore senator Love Boat To the editor: Last week two of my students, one who is currently enrolled in my May Seminar and another a student who had gone with me on a previous May Seminar, indicated to me that Saturday's Love Boat program was featuring several of the cities that we visit on the seminar—Bergen, Oslo and Stockholm. Naturally, I was interested in •seeing some of the sights of these beautiful and scenic cities once again. I now wish that I hadn't watched the program at all. Although there was a bit of time given to various attractions in each of the cities, the insensitive drivel that accompanied the city scenes ruined any enjoyment that I might have derived from the program. The idiotic plot and. dialog made me aware once again of why we Americans are often looked upon as urisophisticated^and un-cultured slobs. What must the Swedes think of us after seeing Helga portrayed as a blond fluff head with an accent that was undoubtedly borrowed from and researched in the Swedish section of Jackson, Miss.? One can only laugh at the route the Love Boat took from Oslo to Stockholm, via Bergen and the fjords. Literary license I suppose. From another perspective, the program perpetuated the sexual stereotypes that have existed for so long in the United States. Helga, in spite of her vast wealth which surely must have been sufficient to, obtain the best education available, was portrayed as the dumb blonde, continually hanging on "Goofer." John Davidson showed all of the sensitivity of a USDA meat inspector as he selected the Scan-dinavian Sunshine Girl high atop Mount, Floyen in Bergen. Even though this show is ostensibly a comedy, I for one am tired of scripts such as these. Getting to the main point of my letter, pro-grams such as the Love Boat episode only serve to illustrate the many positive benefits that our students receive through the May Seminars Abroad program. They . gain a real appreciation for the history and culture of the countries that they visit and perhaps more importantly they gain an in- - ternationai perspective and outlook that they can draw upon for the rest of their lives. Besides, it seems to me that the, students that go on our May Seminars pro-, bably have at least 10 times as much fun as do the poor pathetic souls aboard the Love Boats of the world. Sometimes there's even a little romance that occurs on our trips to Europe, but there's probably not as much of that as some students would like. I remember one of my May Seminar students telling me that it was certainly wonderful seeing all these "rotic" places on the seminar. I ask-ed her what "rotic" meant and she said, "That's a romantic place without a man." It's programs like the May Seminar pro-gram that make Concordia the very special place that it is. So instead of wat-ching Love Boat, go on a May Seminar. I can guarantee that you won't regret your May Seminar experience. David S. Moewes, Associate Professor/Economics Letters cont p. 6 CdNCORDIAN The Concordian is the official newspaper of Concordia College, published weekly. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the editors, college, administration, faculty or student body. The Concordiah"\s written and edited by students of Concordia College for the college com-munity. Content of the paper is developed independently of the student government, the faculty and the administration and does not reflect policies of those groups. The Concordian offices are located in the Knutson Student Life Center—phones 299-3826. 299-3827. Printing is by Lakes Publishing Co. in Hawley. Minnesota. Letters to the editor must be typed, double-spaced, and are to be submitted in the letter slot of the publication's office door by 5 p.m. Monday prior to publication on Friday. Un-signed letters will br printed only upon discussion with the editor. Letters must be limited to about two typewritten pages The. editor reserves the right to edit all material submitted for publication. The advertising deadline is 5 p.m. Monday prior to Friday's publication. Editor Lynn Flagstad Production manager Chris Bonnell News editor Pat Remken Features editor Amy Finken Sports editor Steve Wammer Photo editor John Floberg Copy editor Julie Tingelstad Graphics Dan Lind Eric Nesheim Advertising manager Andy Rosemurgy Assistant advertising manager Kirsten Pedersen Business manager Ten DeClue Adviser ,. Dorothy Collins Publisher Dr. Paul J. Dovre Columnist*: The CARes Committee. Cindy Carlson, Amy-Fmken, Chris Foss, Eric Iverson. Ron Johnson, Mary Martens. Eric Nesheim, Cati Salley, Karen Stensrud, Steve Stromberg, Kristin Troff. • Typesetter*: Valerie BorgenrBarb Dallman, Tammy Jesme, Jodi.Kay. Marsha Loken, Mary McAllister. Shantelle McCoy, Amy McDonald, Claye Metelmann, Dave Orham. Lisa Reese, Mike Wigen. Technical Workers: Deneen Blackley, Kelly Harvego, Karen Meiand. Debbie Pelkey. Aman da Rich man, Julie Sievers, Lana Siewert, Lisa Swanson. Photogmphers:Kirsien Annexstad, John Floberg, John Hull, Tom Hull, Nathan Miller, Lisa Pahl, Mike Peter. Pete Spilde, Kyle Stensrud.
|
|---|