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Show Wednesday, April 6, 2005 Editorial Editor-in-Chief: Natalie Clemens Phone: 626-7121 6OALS VIEWPOINT Passing of Pope, Schiavo inspire reflection During the last two weeks, people have seen or heard about the death of two people. The first was Terry Schiavo, a Florida woman who was severely brain damaged. The other was Pope John Paul II. These two deaths have received a lot of media attention and are quite significant. In the case of Schiavo, people may now see the importance of having a plan for when a loved one becomes terminally ill or even find a greater need to have a living will drawn up. As for the pope, his death signifies the end of his 26-year reign over the Catholic Church and the end to his battle with Parkinson's disease and the health problems that ailed him over the last few years of his life. Death is a part of life and is an everyday occurrence in some parts of the world. To some, death may also have some significant meaning and it can be viewed in a couple ways. Most people know that death is a sad and depressing time, as it is hard to lose someone close, but it can also be a sign of relief or happiness. In the case of the pope, many people were saddened by his death but were able to gain solace in knowing that his passing helped to end his suffering and allowed him to move on. For Schiavo, it signified the end of her husband and parents' court battles over reinserting her feeding tube, which would have allowed her to continue to live in the vegetated state that she had been in for the last 15 years. There are several opinions about what could have or should have been done in her case, but it appears that no one really had the answer to solve everyone's problems. People will never know whether the removal of Schiavo's feeding tube was the right thing to do, but her passing has set a precedent for what people should be doing so that families aren't put into the same situation as hers. The pope was a great man whose legacy will not be forgotten. He showed that perseverance, devotion and good will can go a long way in helping to change the world and some of its evils. He will truly be missed. - The Signpost Editorial Board The -B^ A Weber State University vveuerouue university Signpost Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Sports Editor Copy Editor Features Editor Entertainment Editor Business Editor Photo Editor Graphics Editor Online Editor Advertising Manager Office Manager Advisior Distribution Publisher Signpost Fax Natalie Clemens Maria Villasenor Heather Hunt-Wood Jon Nelson William Hampton Roy Pyatt • Becky Palmer Candice Dallin Mo Williams Samuel T. Platt Nick Litster Devon Crus Georgia Edwards Allison Hess William Hampton Dr. Randy Scott 626-7121 626-7614 626-7655 626-7983 626-7659 626-7621 626-7105 626-7624 626-6358 626-7661 626-6358 626-6359 626-7974 626-7499 626-7974 626-6464 626-7401 The Signpost is published every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the semester. Subscription is $9 a semester. The first copy of The Signpost is free, each additional copy is $.50. • The Signpost is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by Weber State University students. Student fees partially fund the printing of this publication. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the university. • The Signpost welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must Include name, address, telephone number and the writer's signature. Anonymous letters will not be printed. • The Signpost reserves the right to edit letters for reasons of space and libel and also reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Letters should not exceed 350 words. Bring letters to the editorial office in SUB 267, mail to: The Signpost, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah, 84408-2110. A tin: Editor in Chief, email the3ignpost@weber.edu Letter to the Editor Guerrilla Girls push for awareness, not bias In regards to "Discrimination transcends gender, race" editorial printed March 23,2005. 1 Was walking to my class one early morning, when I came across a banner that stated in large black lettering, "March is Women's History Month." 1 then remembered back to February and recalled a banner, in similar style, that said, "February is Black History Month." These got me thinking. Why do they put these banners up? Who puts these banners up? What are they saying or trying to say? Why are there two months set aside for women and AfricanAmericans? My little mind was going crazy, and it just so happens that we had received a contemporary art lecture on the Guerrilla Girls. During this lecture, we (for 1 was not alone in this conquest) found a poster stating; "POP QUIZ: If 'February is Black History Month and March is Women's History Month, what happens the rest of the year? ANSWER: Discrimination." We made copies and put them up in hopes of raising awareness on these touchy issues. If you actually research the Guerrilla Girls, you will find that their tactics are to raise awareness in a shocking and powerful style that makes many uncomfortable and angry. I say this is brilliant! The whole point is to expose individuals to issues they may not be aware of. It causes them to feel something, but most of all to make them THINK. Guerrilla Girls posters are more effective than the generic universityissued banners.. This is why I participated, not because I am a feminist witch, rather r I to present a perspective that would generate some discussion. Unfortunately the posters were taken out of context, blown out of proportion and completely misunderstood. The Guerrilla Girls' riddle is not an extreme statement that "discriminates against men in their efforts to end discrimination against women." it is meant to get in your face and make a point about what is really going on in our world today. To answer my previous questions, the reasons for these celebrated months is because these groups were singled out and discriminated against. While the struggles of discrimination have come leaps and bounds from earlier times, it is still evident today and not just against a single specific gender or race. However, things are far from being "equal" or "fair." Just take look at the salary rates of men versus women. In my research, I found that across the board women make 9 percent less than men who hold the same professional status. I would like someone to justify that forme, please. . I would also tike to add that those who were involved in this "scandal" made an attempt to contact the author of the previous editorial, in order to discuss our views and possibly expand the minds of those who jump to uneducated conclusions. Unfortunately, we were declined and ignored. This proves to me that there are individuals out there who refuse to communicate and remain stubbornly narrow-minded. This, in my opinion, is the root of discrimination. -StevieHull n, A guerrilla Girl and WSU student - - - - - - - - Send a letter to the editor to thesignpost@weber.edu Please include your name and phone number. |