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Show THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE Whitticisms - Wfdnfsdav, Januarv 15, 200? Visa Laws Lower Ready, Set, Throw: A " jared VVhitley , Int'l Enrollment At U Arkansas 1 AMBER HUTCHINSON Arkansas Traveler University of Arkansas Chronicle Feature Columnist the FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.-W- hcn Patriot Act was passed and visa restrictions got tighter last year, with new regulations put in force Jan. i, the actions of the U.S. government were meant to ensure national security and preserve our freedom. But the heightened security tactics have left a sour taste for international students coming to the United States and to the education system as a whole, said Vicki Bergman Lanier, director of Spring International, an intensive English language program supporting students who attend the University of Arkansas. With tight access into the country comes rocketing visa denials. And as denials increase, international student enrollment decreases, numbers Checkmate! King Holiday Neglects Women, Coal Miners week the campus is itself upside down for Luther King Jr. Week, with speeches, breakout sessions and free food designed to make white people feel guilty. Well, OK. maybe that's a bit unfair of me, but you get the idea. This week, university officials with the word "diversity" in their titles will try to justify their existence beyond just saying "I am so offended!" when they read stuff written g by individuals like, say, me. While we're dishing out offense and exclamation points, let me add some of my own. I find the idea of calling next Monday's holiday Martin Luther King Jr. Day offensive. To make him the poster boy for all human rights activism is an oversimplification. It's also racist. King was not the only crusader for black rights or minority rights for that matter. King was a voice in a civil rights choir which included many black, brown and let's not forget a lot of white singers. Because of his leadership and charisma demeanor, he became a featured soloist, but ultimately only one of many voices. I'm sure no one would recognize this more than King himself, who is probably content with just having 10,784 boulevards in the United States named after him. And the fight for civil rights in this country doesn't belong exclusive to race. Women in this country weren't granted the right to vote until 50 years after black men received it. There's certainly a lot more women in the United States than blacks, so wouldn't Susan B. Anthony Day or (insert your favorite Suffragette) Day be a bit more inclusive than Martin Luther This mild-mannere- ' fc clear-thinkin- d, - ' Mmf w ' - - Cameron Dwyer practices with other members of - - the Juggle For in U vfXW iT club behind -- -- mm - nrHTfiWraM guilty. - - 1 sffi y?- Many students who left campus for the winter holidays found themselves stuck at home, unable to return to campus. Some students are still waiting, and several will have to defer their admittance to next fall, said Michael Freeman, director of the Office of International Students and Scholars. ' -- have shown. Of n Vietnamese students who applied for admittance to the UA last semester, one was accepted. ' JANUARY 25, 2003 - 10 AM - 6 PM SATURDAY, i he Lion House, and The Inn av Smith Memorial in the Suak!. Bihldis-g- Joseph K J...". 'n. . I emi-- l e n fc If J f 4 4 I .X' Everything you need in one location for the one day in your life that you must choose well. Pre- - Reg ister rVTTTF to Win a Ni g ht HnKPWfrvow fsrrrrr: at ; 6on(? CEREMONIES, WEDDING BREAKFASTS, RECEPTIONS, WEDDING DINNERS Presented By T Sponsored By Tvk. KSL Television Pre-Regist- er jwhitleychronicle.utah.edu ? the Union Tuesday. King Jr. Day? When we're talking civil rights, let's not forget that even the majority of white men have been historically (and currently) beholden to people who have more money than they do. The progress made for workers' rights by union leaders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries affect millions more than King's work did progress like a reasonable work day, decent wages and strict child labor laws. Wouldn't Anthracite Coal Miners' Day be a bit more inclusive than Martin Luther King Jr. Day? And let's not forget that the United States was founded by people escaping (primarily) religious persecution. Even though the Declaration of Independence's bit about "all men are created equally" is itself open to criticism, it was a huge step in the right direction for tolerant governance. Equal Creation Day would be the best name for Monday's designated holiday. But wait, the word "creation" is indicative of a Divine Creator, occasionally known as God, and that might offend some atheists. But since offending atheists is about as easy as offending people with the word "diversity" in their titles, I think I'll just go back to being a good white student and feel 3 On-Lin- e DeseretBook. Deseret Book at www.htsc.net or call: 801-539-31- 30 |
