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Show Must Racial Predjudice Still Plague America? by Laura Reeves Forum staff writer All blacks should just go back to Africa and throw spears and eat watermelon." Afriendonmy high school debate team once started an oratorical speech on raci sm in just this manner. Oneofhisjudgesinthe tournament was black. As he recited these and other lines in a similar vein, the judge threw her pen at him in fury. What she did not realize and barely took the time to discover was that the speech continued with a condemnation of these sentiments and those like them. Afterward, she complimented him and apologized. He won first place in the tournament for his speech. Unfortunately, all racial confrontations do not end this amicably. In New York earlier this month, Yusef Hawkins, 16, was killed while walking in a white neighborhood in search of a car for sale. According to Newsweek, bias crimes in New York have risen from 286 in 1985 to 400 in 1987, an increase of more than 50 percent. Just over a year ago, in Portland, Ore., skinhead movement is where the gaining strenth, an Ethiopian man was killed by the group as he walked down the street. These are merely two of the most publicized accounts of habitual racial prejudice. Hidden behind these disturbing stories is a generally lackadaisical attitude among mainstream Americans towards these events. Every day, in every city where races mix, racially motivated violence as is well as harassment and destruction so-call- ed neo-Na- zi becoming commonplace. From big cities to small burgs, the vicious cycle repeats itself with alarming frequency. Neo-Nazi- s, self-absorpti- on Hunt For Values Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, During my past three years at Westminster, I havent been able to say enough great things about the college. Being a transfer student from the University of Utah, I feel I can truly appreciate what this school has to offer. However, I have come to the realization . thatWestminsterhas one area of fault, that being the sciences, specifically chemistry, physics, and biology. First, I am not referring in the least to the qualifications of the professors; they are the best Ive ever had. Im talking about the program in general and the apathetic attitude that the administration has toward this important field; a field which is a major part of today's world. After completing an internship with 17 other science students from around the country, I came to realize how Westminster trails in the area of the sciences. Many attended schools the size of, or smaller than Westminster. Even though most of these schools are in the same tuition , range, their out-of-sta- te programs greatly surpass ours, primarily in class variety and equipment. Our program covers the basics, but is lacking in comparison to other schools. Im not asking for a new science building, Im asking the administrators to take a serious look at our program and improve on that which has great potential. Expand the program to include more classes that involve the Page 6 Forum hopeless to worry when there is seemingly nothing we can do and no way racism can lives. harm our untouchable white-brea- d Perhaps the most effective means of dealing with a situation which seems unreal to us is to make it real in our minds. We must create a mental picture, complete with emotions and pain, ofwhat it would be like if we, the WAJSPs, were the downtrodden and ridiculed members of society. A snapshot so clear that the indignation at having our intelligence, honesty, and integrity insulted daily shows in our eyes. They say one picture is worth a thousand words, so we must hold close to our souls the image of despair at being second in line for everything from education to jobs to housing. Only when we can feel the bitter taste ofrevulsion in our mouths when we hear of racially motivated violence or harassment, can we say that we are aware and trying to understand the pain of the minorities in America. In this way, the groups who would tarnish the vision of all men are created equal," will find no fertile ground close to, nor brittle links in the fence which protects our freedom. This is a free country, so the saying goes, and to keep it free we must endure even those who wish to see it become an AryanNation. Byincreasingourawareness and shaking off our national apathy, perhaps the students of today will live to see an era that embodies the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. He was not shy to suggest that such a time was possible, and if we are not hesitant in believing it, there is a chance that his dream may be realized. That very attitude allows, even encourages, the continuation of violence and hatred. skinheads, KKK members and others of their ilk labor are under the misconception that they are somehow superior to someone else. Fortunately their ranks are relatively small. The masses in this country are consumed with apathy. They care not what happens, so long as they are comfortable. This is the weak link which groups such as the skinheads can break. If so many people dont care what they do, these violent groups can gain a stronghold. This is the occurence we should fear, for the majority of the U.S. is certainly not WASP. Blacks and Jews are not the only targets of Aryans. Citizens of Latin American, Asian, Southern European or Middle Eastern descent are also on the hit list. Those who say that no racist would ever be elected to any office have very short memories. It was in March of this year that David Duke, a former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan was elected to the legislature of Louisiana. Duke still heads the National Association for the Advancement of White People. Despite a furious outcry from the Utah, we are partially sheltered from the Democratic party and the embarassment controversy by the overwhelmingly small of the Republican party he represents, the number of black students or even black man is still in office. resi dents of the state. That does not relieve The government has been of little help us of the duty of awareness. Without awareness of, sensitivity to, and repulsion in the Duke matter and was actively at the civil rights lapses around us, we are destructive in the years under President no better than the mainstream. Apathy is Reagan. Several civil rights rulings were no better than active hatred. It says, Yah, overturned under his newly remodeled I know that people are killed because their Supreme Court, including housing and skin is a different color, but what do I care? equal opportunity decisions. The struggle we face is that it appears I cant do anything. Its not my problem. The horror is that people are not surprised. Mainstream America is not shocked or disgusted by these occurences. Some people may be slightly disturbed by the news, but they are more irritated that something unpleasant might encroach on their world. Therefore the stories are ignored. As a result of the growing tensions between the races, less violent but equally disruptive cases of misunderstanding and paranoia are arising around the country. Only a short time before the Portland incident, black football players journeying from a Portland high school to a championship game in a smaller town were met by an illuminated cross erected on a hill in the center of town. What those players did not know was that the cross was a Christmas symbol, always lit at that time of year. Even so, the misunderstanding created an unbreachable rift in the relations between the two schools and introduced the small town students to the previously unacknowledged problem of racial strife. The problem of racial prejudice is not improving, it is worsening. Even on college campuses, the specter of bigotry is raising its head. Here at Westminster, indeed in Promotion Ends Oct. 11, 1989 sciences and buy new equipment. Some of the equipmenthas modern-da- y probably been here since day one. The attitude that science students can go up to the University is an apathetic one Im a perfect example. After struggling for a year, and then failing my 400 person organic chemistry class, I transferred here to a six person class and got As! There is no comparison, not only did my grades improve, but I received a much higher quality of education. That says a great deal about the teachers and the school. I know this is a liberal arts college with an emphasis on business and the humanities, but that is no reason to leave the sciences to faulter. As abiology and chemistry student, I pay the same tuition as a business student, so why is my program cut short? I have and will continue to praise and recommend Westminster College to everyone. Come June, I will graduate with the highest quality of education, but it would be nice if I could enter the work force with an advantage over people obtaining the same degree.The time has come to seriously consider improving the biology, chemistry, and physics programs. Students should not be penalized for the degree they seek. If Westminster is to boast a quality education, every program should be academically represented. Sincerely, Andrea Zoumadakis Senior, biology chemistry Men's Pants Heavy and Comfortable prices $2-$- Flannel Shirts 8 $1-S- 0 L Coma While They Last j JACKETCOATS Wool, Cords, Parkas, Ho. $2 & up t Ready Cleaned 10 Wear Winter Boots l-2- Hats, Scarfs, l1-- 5 Check Our Inventory On: Cookware Utensils Dishes Boots Over 2000 Items Brought -- All etc. and J 3 Hats Luggage Gear Camping Bedding To Each Sales Floor Dally Items have been cleaned and refurbished by the elderly, handicapped and those In need Deseret Industrie' W Thrift Store Sugar House 2234 Highland Drive 486-347- Omni Downtown 13t East 7th South 4 Induetrtoe to 532-620- federally apprwad eheHered wortaho It a 1 eee Welfare Square 743 West 700 South 539-855- -J- haaa who an eMarty, 9 haiMltcMpoad, ar In mad -r- acl.lm donatatf October 3, 1989 goh Issue 3 |