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Show Bunkers By Lee Roszcynski This month on Jan. 16, we once again celebrated Human Rights Day, or at least some of us did. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a very courageous man. He took up the cause of not only his own people, but he shouldered the cares of all who have suffered the Indignities of segregation, discrimination, and alienation. We all need to reflect on how we really feel about human rights and If we have truly changed our biases, or If we only pay lip service to a cause which remains a major deficiency In our country's character. Here in the state of Utah we are given the option of observing the day. Many state legislatures around the country mandated its observance, but every state should. Once again, Utah Is ten steps and 20 years behind the rest of the country. When a society is given an OPTION to observe not only a day but an ideology of change, a conservative society such as ours will rarely consider the change. Utah does not stand alone in Its conservative mode. Much of the rest of the country is still biased and intolerant. My question is how long will we remain mired in bigotry? How long will these injustices continue to flourish in a country that supposedly believe all people are created equal? How long will we, as a nation, pay lip service to the core of our constitution? Just this week we saw the atrocities of racial injustice In California whan a policeman beat and abused a black man Just because he "seemed suspicious." There was no cause, no reason, nothin; Just two black men riding in a car. The "suspect" was slammed into a plate glass window and then brutally beaten, simply because he asked why he was a suspect. The local black community is outraged. It's no wonder that many blacks in this country harbor such hatred for the law enforcement community. Whatever happened to "innocent until PROVEN guilty?" Many of us still sit in judgment of others who arc less fortunate than ourselves. We look down at the poor people in inner-cit- y slums and think to ourselves, "they could do better than that if they Just get out and find a Job." Dut in that part of town there arc no Jobs. Many that crave a chance of an education can't afford one and never will. There are .;tnat have lived on welfare and generations have never known any other kind of life. Many of us sit in our middle-clas- s homes with our chins in the air and think "we'd never live like that," but we would if we'd never lived any other way. Did you know that Alabama, Mississippi and many other southern L still have Oh yes, we freed the slaves: We freed them to a life that allows them to work for money, but theyre still slaves to poverty and despair. So what have we really done? Is the quality of life RDT is noted for presenting outstanding works from a variety of critically acclaimed choreographers. - The dance company recently toured California giving a few days of programs and workshops in Angel's Camp, Calif., followed by a trip into San Francisco to perform at the New Performance Gallery on Jam 12, 13 and 14. RDT also went to Pacific College in Stockton, California, dancing and giving workshops. Strings Tied to Student Loans Students would have to Join the or do volunteer work to get college military financial aid If a new bill introduced Jan. 6 becomes law. As expected, Sen. Sam Nunn and Rep. Dave McCurdy said (D-Ga- .) 1990 -- students would have to serve one in a public service civilian Job like year working in a nursing home or hospital or two years in a combat branch of the military. , Students who served in the militay theyd introduce legislation that would would get a $25,000 grant at the end of phase out all federal student aid programs their hitch. within five years, replacing them with a Students who worked in civilian jobs (D-Okl- deal in which students would have to oerform some kind of "national service" in return for aid. McCurdy, in announcing the measure, said it would enforce the notion that: "democracy is not free." If the plan passes both legislators expected Congress to vote on it by early 6 Forum By Laura Reeves April 4, 1968 - Memphis, Tenn. I had barely begun life when honored Martin Luther King, Jr. by. establishing a federal holiday in his name. I wonder if this is what King would have wanted to commemorate his work. For if we examine the entirlty of King's message, much of his dream has been left unfulfilled. Martin Luther King, Jr. is best known for his struggle in the civil rights crusade. Yet, he fought for the oppressed black man because he hated oppression of all people; he empathized with the underdogs of the world. He battled against segregation because he loved freedom. He always as his battle plan, employed even in the face of threats and bombings. King had a dream, but that dream included peace for every person, and freedom for the poor, the starving, and the downtrodden black and white. "I have the audacity," said King, "to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits." King said, "A man that won't die for something is not fit to live." How far have we come in living the dream for which Martin Luther King, Jr. died? We now have Equal Employment Opportunity, affirmative action and quotas for minority employment. Blacks are no longer segregated in schools and buses -- - in non-violen- Jesse Jackson made an historically succesful bid for the presidential office, and black politicians are gaining power across the nation. csbyr Murphy and Pryor have made it big in television and movies. Major corporations hire black men and women. Balcks are rightfully would get a $10,000 grant. McCurdy hoped the plan would "reinvigorate citizenship" as an ideal that was first severely damaged during the Vietnam war. Then "the 1970s and early 1980s featured 'me generations' more interested in their own financial gain and getting BMWs than serving their country." -- Judy Kasten, single parent group meeting on Jan. 30. Kasten belongs to a group of Utah lobbyists that represent the interests of low income people to the legislature. She writes a newsletter for single parents keeping them informed of the resources available and what Is happening in the local legislature. Lyons, counselor for Westminster's Student Services, said that the meetings held eveiy Monday at noon will be a mix of speakers and open discussion. Lyons stressed that the single parent group is now open to Westminster staff members, as well as students. Social events for the group are scheduled in addition to the regular meetings. Lyons said, "Westminster is tiying to find out who the single parents are and let them know that they have resources available to them. Single parent's lives are often busy and overburdened." Single parents interested in Joining the group should contact Susan Lyons at . 488-414- 3. recognized - as legitimate members of society at least in the legal sense. Unfortunately, as King said, "Morals cannot be legislated, but behavior can be The law cannot make an regulated. employer love me, but it can keep him from refusing to hire me because of the color of my skin." What remains after the dust of dithering legalities settles are the other bleak shadows over Kings dream. Poverty and homelessness are worse now, in proportion, than King could ever have imagined. Starvation affects people in the U.S. and around the world as thousands die from malnutrition and related diseases everyday. coordinator for Utah Issues, will be the speaker at Westminster's single parent Susan -- theory. Jabra By NJj. Spackman ce . Social Science Single Parents Unite the world was deprived of one of Its glowing embers of peace and hope personified Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In the United States, we recently Slated the ball as well as dancing to the music of the Joe Muscolino Big Band. . Reality against unarmed and self defense A! (CPS) Wot Yet - Harrington A "Mardi Gras Ball" is being held to benefit Repertory Dance Theatre at 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Salt Lake City Art Center (located between the Salt Palace and Symphony Hall). Ticket prices are $20 per person. Prizes will be given for best costume and best mask. The grand prize will be 2 Delta Airline tickets to the New Orleans Mardi Gras Festival with hotel accommodations at the Double Tree Hotel. Those who do not wish to wear a costume are encouraged to wea, the RDT color theme (red and black). Dinner and beverages will be included at The Bream; For the past two weeks, Israeli planes have bombed Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, killing 200 people and leaving many more wounded. Israel claims that 'it is bombing Palestinian quarters where Abu Nidal is suspected to be staying. However, not knowing exactly where he is, and due to the: difficulty of spotting him from 2000 feet off the ground. Israeli pilots found it more convenient to randomly bomb entire Palestinian camps and homes hoping to land a bomb on Abu Nidal. Well, the result was that he remains at large and 200 more Palestinians are dead. Of course to Israel, this is an act of Innocent civilians. It seems that Israels get tough policy much better, or is it Just an existence without the beatings of taskmasters and against the 13 month Palestinian uprising is not satisfied with killing Palestinian being the property of a plantation owner? children in the West Bank and Gaza. Nor is how much Really, progress have we made? satisfied with the Imprisonment of Israel Yes, we freed the slaves. Many blacks of Palestinians thousands in prisons with have opportunities that went far beyond few and or no legal conditions what they may have dreamed, but it still horrifying of land confiscation Palestinian the rights; isn t far enough. It will never be far enough the and and demolishing of properties, until the same opportunities that have Palestinian homes; or the expulsion of always existed for white males are Palestinians from their families and homes. extended to women, blacks, hispanics and It appears that Israels get tough policy is all other disadvantaged peoples. also not restricted to the occupied Each and every one of us needs to ask as demonstrated by their ourselves if we really do believe in human territories, raids on Palestinians in continuing rights or if it's only lip service. Be honest, Lebanon. It. only demonstrates Israels are you a closet Archie Bunker? determination to end all forms of In this country, we need to examine Palestinian nationalism and to deny them what our constitution states and what it all forms of human and political rights, means to us personally. We need to look to especially their to right the examples of Abraham Lincoln, John Israel considers the 13 month Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt and Martin Palestinian uprising an act of terrorism Luther King Jr. We. need to measure aimed at the political balance of ourselves against the ideologies of these Israel., disturbing however, refuses to Israel, individals who had a vision of what this recognize that people revolt against country should be. They were not mired in oppression and injustice. The Palestinian bigotry, nor were they afraid of the status uprising is only an expression of their quo of their day. They knew the country dissatisfaction with Israel's military rule needed to offer the same opportunities to and brutal occupation. The Palestinians everyone and not to Just a chosen few. have clearly demonstrated their desire for As time goes on we will all have to peace and security for all members of the face change. To grow and become better in conflict. They have given the Israelis and every aspect of life, we all must change and the world a chance to restore peace In the accept the differences of others. Just as we Middle East. In return Israel gives the have inalienable rights, we also have a Palestinians nothing but continuing responsibility to ourselves and to each rejection for any peace plan that limits its other to make this country the best it can expansionist aspirations. possibly be for every person. This means Israel and her supporters that we must take up the challenge of need toFinally, stop portraying the Palestinians as championing human rights. We have a terrorists and refugees while Israel mandate from the founding fathers to rise continues to commit heinous acts of state above old prejudice and live up to the core terrorism sponsored innocent against of this country's constitution ,and the ideals civilians. Palestinians constitute a nation upon which it was created. rich in culture and history which yearns for peace and security. Israel must reduce its stubbornness and its intransigent policies and allow the Palestinian peace intiative a chance. RDT 'Mardi Gras Ball' By Calvin states sharecropper shacks? Letter to the Editor Peace is often a fleeting or forgotten feeling as wars rage around the world. In the West Bank. Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Chile, Burma, South Africa and elsewhere, thousands of people have died hoping and fighting for freedom of body, as well as The world is no closer to resolution of its problems today than it was 21 years ago. Freedom has always been an expensive thing," King said. "History is a fit testimony to the fact that freedom is rarely gained without sacrifice and Martin Luther King, Jr. worked and died to help free people oppressed by politics, economics and prejudice. He had a dream which has never been fulfilled. I believe that a day of rest, of patting ourselves on the back for upholding the name of this mighty man, is inappropriate. Perhaps, instead, we could comemorate the day by working twice as hard, each of us, to live the dream for the man from whom it was stolen. Then, just maybe, his dream of an interdependent, loving, forgiving, free society could spring to life from his ashes. spirit. non-viole- nt self-denial- ." Jan. 24, 1989 Issue 13 -- |