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Show The Thunderbird Page 4 Monday Marcft 31, 1 986 Native Americans deserve some support The Thunderbird believes that the intermingling of cultures is good for all concerned. This week is Native American Week. Center will sponsor activities and lectures SUSCs week in the an effort to promote an understanding throughout Multi-cultur- of the American Indian culture; a people w'ith a unique and vastly different background than that of the average Caucasian. Native Americans arent, it seems, given much of the respect they deserve. Their empires grew for centuries and spanned the continent. Through the ages they built nations and customs that are now dying out, possibly due to this lack of respect. Why do some people have little respect for this culture? For some reason, they see the American Indian as an intruder to their manifest desdny philosophy. These people see themselves as warriors" who forced entire nations of Indians onto reservations where, initially, these people lived as little more than prisoners on their own homeland. Some people see native Americans as the people who originally sold out. Montezuma welcomed the conquistadores with open arms; the people were eventually killed by the Spaniards. 200 years later another nation sold Manhattan Island for about $24. People w'ho think this way are depriving themselves of seeing some of the richest heritage on this continent. Bigots arent just causing problems for other people; through their immaturity, they are hurting themselves. Many native Americans are shy and withdrawn; some even hostile. In some respects, this is easy to understand. They have been the U.S.s quiet shame for a long time. People talk about Custers Last Stand, not acknowledging the massacred Indians fighting for their own land. People dont talk about Indians being cheated and discriminated against to this day. Its no wonder that they are apprehensive toward other people. Among the events planned for SUSCs Native American Week are movies about Native American culture and current issues facing them, arts and crafts displays, pow wow lectures and basketball tournaments, and the performances, of the Convocation lecture by Russell Means, American Indian Movement. Some programs during the week will be sponsored by grants from the Utah Endowment for the Humanities. The Thunderbird strongly encourages all to participate in this weeks activities. The events are open to students and the community. Its a chance to interact with a rare culture. Its a chance to really learn. inter-trib- er llf Che Chunderbird nil: Simi.M l: AMO VHSOI- SlHTIILKM I TAM SIAT ( OI.I.BIt VOLUME 80, NUMBER 22 Editor Tyler Jensen Copy Editor Rebecca Southern Photo Editor Derek Miller Sports Editor Ken Cox Entertainment Editor Paige White Assistant to the Editors Annette Gnxms Senior Staff Writer Kris Johnson Production Manager Kelli Foy Advertising Designer Gavin McNeil Advertising Representative Kellie Jensen Faculty Adviser Larry Baker The Thunderbird is published each Monday of the academic year by and lor the Mudctu bodv ol Southern I'uh State College and is not affiliated in anv manner whatsoever with the olleiie's department ol communication. The views and opinions expressed in 1 he Thundefbnd are the individual writers and do not opinions of the publication necessarily retied the views and opinions of the institution, faculty, staff or student bod in yener.il. The unsigned editorial directly above is the opinion of The 7 hnnJi duni as a single entity. Letters to the editor must be typed and incluJe the name, student number of from a student) and phone number. Only the name will be 'Tinted. Names will not lv withheld under anv circumstances and the editor reserves the right to edit letters for length and to preclude libel. Letters must be submitted b noon IticI.iv for inclusion in the following week's edition. The I I 7 hnridi 'hud editorial and advertising Mail at SI 'SC Box ,;M, offices at West 2cV South, Cedir Cnv, . 77Nv Cedar City, CT 8472c1 (P0B (MORE LETTERS ARE ON PAGE 7) Elections revealed mindless sheep TO THE EDITOR: After the results of the electons were ASSUSC announced on Wednesday, March 5, 1 was surprised and disappointed at the number of mindless sheep here. Mindless in three respects: I) the low percentage of voter turnout; 2) the apparent number of straight party voters; and 3) the Want my cake and eat it too" attitude that showed itself in the referendum results. College, to me, is not only a place to educate the mind but to also extend the soul. The apathetic voter turnout creates an aura of I dont care or I dont count. This is particularly irionic when the atmosphere should be one of expansion. Im not sure of the reason for this apathy. Could it be due to a revolt against the college campuses of the 60s and 70s, when student involvement was strong and outspoken? Could it be a feeling that one person cant make a difference? Maybe its a result of the old Nixon dilemma showing a lack of faith in the system. Or maybe the feeling that all college campuses are managed by the omnipotent state officials and student government has as much power as will be granted them by the college hierarchy. Whatever the reason, the pendulum has obviously swung in the direction of apathy at SUSC. It is my belief that the option to vote straight party should not be allowed for one important reason: It dosent give the voter the opportunity to think about the candidates as individuals. It allows them an easy way to accomplish their campus duty. In this particular election, the advantage of the scantron straight party vote was given to the Star party. It supplied the voter with a quickie vote, as the scantron was a complicated means to an end. Im not against the Star party, but I feel that other qualified individuals were deprived of possible votes, a chance of a senate seat, and a voice in the ASSUSC governing body. The outcome of the referendum was not only irionic but embarrassing. Is it honestly the opinion of our campus that our bread can not only be buttered but spread with homemade strawberry preserves as well? When the budget is shuffled and all the many dealt, the choices are defense or welfare. There isnt enough money to have our cake and eat it too. Whats done is done and nothing short uf a new election can change anything until next year. Janna Julander Thunderbird letters policy explained The Tnunderbird, as part of its responsibility to meet the needs of the students and the college, will print letters to the editor whenever they are received. The letters need not express any particular point of view or opinion, but they may not be libelous. The editors of The Thunderbird reserve the right to edit or reject any letter. Letters should be typed, when possible, and include the writers name, student number (if any) and telephone number. Only the name will be printed. They should be dropped off at The Thunderbird editorial office no later than noon on Friday. Letters of fewer than 600 words are preferred. |