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Show Friday, January 24. 1992 The Daily Utah Chronicle - Page Five Violent protests insult memory of Martin Luther King Jr. ...in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problems; it merely creates new and more complicated ones. Martin Luther King Jr. Last Monday we all had the opportunity to honor Martin Luther King Jr. on his observed birthday. This day has become a time for men and women to reflect on the importance of human and civil rights and to pray for peace. We have the chance to view how far we have come in ensuring justice and equality for all people. Unfortunately a Denver rally that day, that suddenly sparked into a vicious riot, provided a poignant illustration of the fact that we still do have great lengths to go. A group of about 100 members of . the Ku Klux Klan were holding a rally at the state capitol when a group of around 1,000 anti-Kla- n demonstrators began throwing snowballs, bricks and bottles. Police had to use tear gas to disperse the crowd and end the confrontation. Several people received injuries. Some had to be taken to a hospital. A few demonstrators plundered nearby stores and extensive damage was done to cars and buildings. What I find ironic is that several of the demonstrators had previously been participating in a King Day parade. They marched in honor of a man who spent his life working for peace and an end to hatred; a man who denounced the use of violence. n The demonstrators were reminiscent of the crowds that persecuted the supporters of the movement in the 50s and anti-Kla- civil-righ- ts 60s. They used the very tactics that the KKK had advocated to stop the attempt to integrate society. The ideals of King's movement seemed to be smothered amid the tear gas. ifJ $ Scott Warnick Chronicle Columnist watched the news footage that night and saw a man who amid the chaos tried to convince the crowd their behavior was inappropriate and disrespectful to "the dream" of Rev. King. I shared in his frustration I Letters Headline negatively portrayed blind persons Editor: Discrimination can take many forms and the Daily Utah Chronicle should be concerned about how its headlines perpetuate and stereotypes negative further discrimination against minorities. I am referring to the article by Oie Lian Yeh, "Utahns blind to Racism, students say" (Jan. 22). Just as the headline implied and as the article explained, Utahns are unaware of how pervasive racism is in our state. My contention is not with the article, it is with the headline. Blindness is the physical absence of sight. Contrary to how the Chronicle and our society tend to use the word, it does not mean lack of awareness or an incapacity to observe. Take a simple statement like "That gentleman was blindly walking down the street." The implication is that the gentleman was oblivious to his surroundings. However, a blind person is well aware of his surroundings. As he walks down the street, he listens to traffic patterns, feels sidewalks and grass with his cane and observes children riding their bicycles along the road. Journalists and other literary persons might argue that using blindness as a descriptive term is merely a colorful way of making a point. It is. However, the point is not only false but is irreparably damaging to the blind. Negative connotations arise when blindness is used as a synonym to incapacity. and was very disappointed with those that instigated the riot. Although I find the beliefs and practices of the Ku Klux Klan extremely offensive, I do support their right to hold peaceful rallies. I see Klan members as shortsighted and closed minded, but the use of violence will not change them. In fact it will only increase their hatred. Those of us who want to build a society that values different g perspectives and promotes the of all people need to act responsibly to achieve these ends. We must initiate the peace process by opening lines of communication, not shutting them with violence. We need to adopt the loving attitude King exemplified. Our focus should be on developing understanding and respect with those who oppose us. And as King well-bein- said, "... let us be loving enough to turn an enemy into a friend." If we become militant in our cause, we will alienate many who, if appealed to through reason, would become sympathetic. Combative methods always divide people into factions and make it difficult to settle conflicts. Monday's riot in Denver was tragic in that it desecrated the day. But this incident should further our resolve to seek solutions to social problems in a peaceful and constructive manner. We must continue to resist force in the crusade of Martin Luther King. As he has said, "Violence leads to bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers. But, the way of nonviolence leads to redemption and the creation of the beloved community." Buy One Cheeseburger, Get One Free Some persons may claim that this is just another example of a minority's oversensitivity to a certain word. But before such persons continue in that belief, a simple fact should be considered: 70 percent of the employable blind are unemployed. This figure does not include the elderly blind who are of retirement age. Blind persons are not unemployed because they do not possess the skills necessary to perform work. They are unemployed because of society's negative perception of blindness. I am sorry to see that the Chronicle contributes to this perception. TM Kristen Jocums Second year law student Good only at 45 East 200 South Eat-A-Birg- er Writer used sex discrimination Editor: This is in response to Susan Way's editorial. ("Sexism alive and well, especially for Parking Committee," Jan. 17.) Anytime that something does not go in a woman's favor and it involves a man or group of men, that woman usually will cry out sexual discrimination. I find it interesting that you disputed a ticket for something you did wrong. I Usually dispute such tickets when it was their fault I got it. For example, ticketing me for parking in a handicapped zone when I had a handicapped parking zone pass. Also, I am one of the few single parent students. This is mainly because I did not get divorced in Utah, where a man will never even be given the opportunity to be a single parent father. Yet I seem to be able to follow the rules. Yes, exceptional circumstances have made it hard, but I still follow the parking rules and I as excuse work around the rules. It may require extra effort on my part but I manage to do it. So I find that either you want to be lazy and get away with breaking the rules, or you just want to male bash; because I've been in your spot several times, and I never broke the NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFER NO CASH VALUE GOOD ONLY AFTER 4 PM EXPIRES 22992 rules. Morten Harket Business to student liaison Hudson Bay Coiporation VISTA Volunteers share the vision of a better tomorrow by making a contribution in the community today. Brighter futures take shape when VISTA Volunteers mobilize and develop community resources to address the many In addition to acquiring valuable and rewarding experience, VISTA Volunteers may receive deferment or partial cancellation of certain student loans. VISTA Volunteers receive a living allowance based on the economic level of the communities they serve. As you look toward graduation, consider becoming a VISTA Volunteer. VISTA offers you the opportunity to shape a community and share a vision of a better tomorrow. faces of poverty. After your college career is completed, VISTA offers you the opportunity to put your education to work in realistic settings. VISTA - Volunteers learn life skills skills only a year of unique VISTA experience can provide. VISTA Volunteers are assigned to project sponsors which may be private or public nonprofit organizations. Volunteer activities may include, but are not limited to, organizing food distribution efforts, creating networks to support literacy projects, or designing programs to combat substance abuse. VISTA recruiter Jane Marsh will be at the 0 University Union from 9:00 pm on January 27, 28, and 29. Stop by the information booth or come to an informational meeting on pm in the Union, Room 319. If January 28 from or you are unable to attend, please call am-3:0- BE A VISTA VOLUNTEER 7-9:- 00 303-844404- 3 Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) is part of ACTION, the Federal Domestic Volunteer Agency, Washington, D.C. 20525 |
