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Show Opinion THE THUNDERBIRD SOUTHERN UTAH STATE COLLEGE, CEDAR CITY TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990 PAGE 4 HUMAN RIGHTS ARE EVERYONES JOB In one of his final declarations as president of the United States, Ronald Reagan urged all citizens to unite in the memory of civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr., slain 21 years ago while spearheading a reformation in race relations unequaled in history since the Emancipation Proclamation. That a few states still resist recognizing this nationally mandated holiday indicates that the struggle for human rights continues, and we, as individuals, and a society, must work harder than ever if we are to see the dream fulfilled. The philosophy that Dr. King advocated is still heard today in a score of different languages around the world. 1989 proved a monumental year for the championship of human rights, its reverberations bringing down the icons of communism in a Warsaw Pact countries, not to mention sweeping political and social reform in the Soviet Union itself. It may be that governments should be held accountable for the observance of human rights, but lets not forget that some governments are deaf to the clarion call of national democratic government and individual liberty, with out lashing deadly certainty at every freedom fighter seeking the bloody siege of Tianamen Square and the change positive genocide in Romania testify to this. As we observe the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., by listening to speeches and lectures, watching parades or television shows, or simply thoughtful contemplation, let us not turn a blind eye toward the problems confronting us in our own backyards; problems, that if gone unattended could impede the hard-woprogress made in human rights relations in the U.S. Claims within the black community that there has been an increase in racism, especially on college campuses throughout the nation, shouldnt be ignored. However, we are reminded that Access' is a recurring column through which members of race relations are a street, and that steps toward a needed the campus community may address themselves to topics reformation must be taken by all regulated by moderation of concern andor interest. Todays column is by Larry not wild accusation and emotionalism from either side. Baker, SUSCs director of publications. Disabled Americans are demanding equality, and rghtfully so. As a group, theyve yet to achieve full social parity. Disabled Although I fear that we all heard enough last month activists won some impressive victories during the 80s, primarily about the close of a year and a decade, it nevertheless changing social attitudes from a blend of ignorance, discrimination is cause for continuing reflection. I am most readily reminded of the silly trap many and pity to a recognition of full equality. Passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act in 1988 provided this increasingly outspoken of us fall victim to: what might be called the telescope minority with the muscle needed to battle discrimination in the of time. I can recall once hearing in a class in the deep, dark recesses of my scholarly career, an intriguing and realms of hiring, housing, or access to public facilities. We know that the rights of minorities, students, and the lasting analogy. If you hold a nickel up some six inches will disabled indeed all humans must always be monitored for in front of your face, the erudite professor said, it blot out the sun. Now, he chuckled, amused by his improprieties, but if we work as one, we can make it to the top own cleverness, we all know that a nickel is not larger of the mountain. than the sun. What is it that makes it appear so? Since half-doze-n m cmK-- m n communism Access All about perspective and prophecy two-wa- y The Thunderbird VOLUME 84, NUMBER 26 Editor Rachel Talbot Associate Editor Kathleen Midgley Opinion Director James Spainhower Photo Editor Jeff Dower Arts &. Leisure Editor Jason North Sports and Outdoors Editor Brent Richey Senior Staff Writer Jodi Reinard Production Manager Lynn Dennett Ad Manager Todd Pendleton Faculty Adviser Larry Baker The Thunderbird is published each Monday and Thursday of the academic year by and for the student body of Southern Utah State College and is not affiliated in any way with the Colleges department of communicanon. The views and opinions expressed in The Thunderbird are the opinions of the publications individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the institution, faculty, staff or student body in general. The unsigned editorial directly above is the opinion of The Thunderbird as a single entity. Letters to the editor must be typed and include the name and phone number. Only the name will be printed. Names will not be withheld under any circumstances and the editor reserves editing privileges. Letters must he submitted by noon Fridays for Monday editions; 5 p.m. Tuesdays for Thursday editions. The Thunderbirdeditorial offices in SUSC Library 103; advertising in Library 102. Mail at SL'SC Box 9384, CcJar City, UT 84720. Phone (801) or this was in the Richard Nixon years, I had the temerity to volunteer, inflation? Nope, I was answered rather testily, the word is perspective. The word leaps into my mind when top pop rock record lists appear and the top 20 or so releases while are filled with current or from 10 months earlier are relegated of the list. to spots somewhere in the middle-to-en- d We see this also quite often in the Oscar nominations. Summer releases, although usually a bit frivolous in releases, are nevertheless comparison to as ignored by the Academy as would be a Steven SpielbergBarbra Streisand collaboration. near-curre- nt Ah, to the point: We seem to be in a vortex of activity whose import is suffering via a sort of reverse perspective problem. The apparent imminent end of communism may well be THE story of the second half of the 20th century (although the rise of high technology and the impending takeover of the world by the Japanese would give it a good run). The fall of communism and the return of human rights, dignity and freedom in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union would be a history-makin- g watershed event in history; a top-lOon the worlds hit parade, if you will, perhaps 200 years from now and beyond. And maybe, because of it, we have a chance to have a history at that time. I fear well have to work a little closer to ensure that we dont destroy this planet by means other than through warfare, however, but thats another column for another time. But as momentous as the plight of communism is, there are those who shrug it off as something to be discussed by someone who cares, but certainly not by them. What the hell said a youngster named Tommy last month, its only news. News happens every day. More will happen tomorrow. Big deal. Meanwhile, many of us shake our heads in g wonderment not only at the events, but at those who fail or refuse to view them as such. By the way, one who is certainly keeping a close eye on those events is one Leland Freeborn, who, for those who are not aware, is a local celebrity who could be called a religious leader. He is sometimes known as The Polygamous Prophet of Parowan. I think the alliterative sort who coined that nickname might have been a bit more conscientious and added a few more words. Paranoid, persistent and pained come most readily to mind. Leland, a likable enough fellow with a red face, frequents The Thunderbird offices two or three times a year, dropping off letters warning us all of impending doom. On his last trip, he dropped off one and placed a classified ad to sell his little Datsun that was a pretty spiffy little car. If he did in fact sell it, I can no longer refer to him as I have for years as the only prophet with mag wheels on his car. But, once again, I digress. Leland, in his current letter, warns us all that the events in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union are a smokescreen for what he and the scriptures reveal is a plot for the final conquest of the world by what Ronald Reagan once called the forces of evil. Hmmm. Now, if Leland is right and the rest of us are wrong, you can find me hanging out on the street corner with my pal Tommy. Ill leave a spot for you. er earth-tippin- |