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Show THODEKBffiD fTTT E THE THUNDERBIRDGSOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITYDMONDAY OCTOBER 28, 1991 PAGE 4 DEBATES MEED MORE PSJBLBCBTY came; they spoke; and, unfortunately, they not heard. During a debate held last Friday the five men who are vying for the three available city council seats, no more than 15 people were in the audience at any given moment. According to SUUSA President Kimber Heaton, in all only about 35 people listened to the debate. The turnout was as good as can be expected at something like this, especially considering that the Chamber of Commerce held a similar debate and only about 30 people showed up, Heaton said. We commend the candidates for consenting to come to SUU, Furthermore, at the very least, we commend Heatons administration for organizing the debate, for creating a forum in which student voters could learn about the city council hopefuls and make an informed decision on Nov. 5. Additionally, we recognize the voter registration drive, which, under the leadership of Heaton appointee Peter Johnson, accomplished what the Iron County Clerks office deems as the best that SUU has had in several years. They However, successful voter registration drives notwithstanding, the organizers of Fridays event seemed to let low expectations for attendance jade their preparation for the debate. In particular, student government failed to adequately advertise that the five candidates would be on campus to debate and answer questions participate in a from the audience. The organizers neglected to use the media available to them right here at SUU. For instance, although they did circulate flyers at such places as the Village Inn the night before, they did not use their normal vehicle for publicizing campus events, the back page of this newspaper, to inform students about the debate. Nor did they use public service announcements over KGSU-FM- , SUUs radio station. And while only a few learned about the debate, those who did know were confused about the time. This newspaper called the student government office to ask about the starting time and was erroneously told that the debate would begin at p.m., when it actually started at 12 p.m. The student government should have done more advertising further in advance. In no way should they interpret the low attendance as great apathy on the part of the students. We hope that student government continues to plan such public forums, but in the future do so with raised expectations. semi-form- al 1 I? SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY CEDAR CITY, UTAH Editor Kathleen Clove Arts Editor Cheris Tucker Managing Editor Natalie Coombs Production Manager RacheUe Sherratt Opinion Director Dennis Freire Advertising Representative Tony Dad Copy Editor Jennifer Moriey Staff Production Head Lynn Dennett Photo Editor Erie Roderick Faculty Adviser Larry Baker Sports Editor Jay Hinton The Thunjfrbpd is published each Monday and Thursday of the academic year by and for the student body of Southern Utah University and is not affiliated with the University's department of communication The views and opinions expressed in The Thuminbtrd are those of individual writers and do not necessardy reflect the views of the institution, faculty, staff or student bodv in general The unsigned editonal directly above is the opinion of The Thundrrbird as a single entity Letters to the editor must be typed and include the name and phone number Only the name will be pnnted Names will not be withheld under any circumstances and the editor reserves editing privileges Letters must be submitted by noon Fridays for Monday editions, 5pm Tuesdays for Thursday editions Grievances: Any individual with a grievance against 77 Thtmderbvd should direct such problem first to the editor If unresolved, that grievance should then be directed to the adviser If still 0 unresolved, the grievance should be directed to the SUU Publications Council, The Tkundeibud offices in SUU Technology Building 003 Mail at SUU Box 9384, Cedar City, 8 FAX UT 84720 Phone (801) ACCESS Has Columbus landed in Cedar? Access is a recurring column through which members of the campus community may address themselves to topics of concern andor interest. Todays is by David Bayles, a junior majoring in political science and English. I direct my comments to those who have moved to Utah and are disgruntled or to those who might move away and are unhappy that not everyone lives As to whose standards might by LDS standards. be better, I reserve comment. I believe that people must come to an acceptance of self and at least a tolerance of the people and culture that surround them. I must correct a heresy created by Jake Shewmake. During an English class of his the teacher acknowledged that the film clips of Boyz n the Hood shed be showing contained offensive language. She granted permission for students who might be offended to leave. Jakeassumes that those who left the room are unlearned in the things of the world and the creators of this countrys social problems. I stand in I left the room. I dont have to justify my conduct, but I wish to eradicate Jakes heresy. I lived for several years in downtown Miami, in a place commonly called the projects of Liberty City. I witnessed a daily Boyz n the Hood. It was no movie and such can never be fully portrayed by Hollywood or forgotten by me. Its disturbing to see people live such a hard life. The dealer of their cards doesnt play fair. After leaving Miami, I promised myself to help, in every way I could, people who are in such appalling circumstances. However, because I am more of an asset with an education, I returned to Utah to finish my degree. Jake, you speak harshly, but I see nothing to make me not believe that your ideals are based on nice 90 minute movies at the end of which you can forget the horror, take your JUJU beans and go home. Leaving a movie, Jake, scores null as a determinant of ones beliefs and character. Let me explain with an analogy my view, and possibly the view of many Utah natives. In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue. There were, however, two sides to that great salt water abyss. On one side stood Columbus as if he were the model of enlightenment. His was a culture that deigned itself to be intellectually superior to its Asian counterparts. On the other side stood the Native American, who was in possession of physical strength and knowledge of himself and his role in the grand schfeme of nature. believe that people must come to an acceptance of self and at least a tolerance of the people and culture that surrounds them. Columbus unloaded on the Native Americans his assumed intellectual prowess. He saw the Native Americans as less than himself but perhaps salvageable if they could be changed. He unloaded physical and mental slavery to anothers ideals. He gave gifts of small pox, influenza and venereal disease. What would American history be like if Columbus asked, What can I learn from these people that now surround me? Acceptance and tolerance would have changed history. And they still can. Is Columbuss misunderstanding of the people around him being reenacted in Cedar City? I believe so. |