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Show OPINIONS www.uvureview.com JANUARY 31, 2011 VOL L ISSUE 21 Tolerance is a virtue What do you think of Utah adopting an immigration law like that of Arizona's SB 1070? "I'm very conflicted because I have family who came here the right way, with their papers, even though it cost money and took a lot of time. I also have family who came here illegally and their kids were born here." Christina Cervantes People and their religions, however, should not only be tolerated. Randy Neilson/UVU Review Tolerance is less virtuous than learning to live with and celebrate each other's differences, which binds people together. Students and clubs on campus should be doing more to understand and respect those with differing beliefs than simply putting up with them. By Mike Sanborn Asst. Opinions Editor T olerance is generally welcorned as a positive, noble characteristic in a person. The mind can easily picture a selfless hero or reverent churchgoer exemplifying this trait through their worthy deeds. Examine the word tolerance. It is the state of being tolerant. An older brother tolerates his annoying kid sister. A commuter tolerates construction delays that cause them to be late. A cancer patient tolerates the pain that comes from their treatment. People and their religions, however, should not only be tolerated. As part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration, several Muslim faculty members held a panel discussion to debunk stereotypes and faulty generalizations regarding Islam. These incongruous clashes of reality and percep- tion cause many Americans to feel justified in denying others the constitutional right to freedom of religion. The words of these faculty members served to differentiate radical Islam from the core values and beliefs of the world's Muslim community. Attendees learned about how the Quran centers on central peace and charity, which is reminiscent of Judeo-Christian beliefs. The introductory speech presented the idea that "our perceived needs and threats call out our actions" and that these perceptions were "often based on unclear understandings." Many of the religious clubs on campus do not see an abundance of bigotry or adverse reactions from students. Groups including the LDS Student Association and the Baptist College Ministry feel that the atmosphere here is one of tolerance. "We're definitely in the minority, but people are still pretty friendly and very cordial," said Russ Robinson of the Baptist College Ministry. These religious clubs have worthwhile goals in mind as they strive to improve the lives of students that choose to become involved. But each club is also singularly concerned with their own beliefs and agendas despite opportunities to cooperate and have mutually-beneficial exchanges. Linda Walton, an advisor to the Interfaith Student Association, believes that more should be required than mere tolerance of others' beliefs and opinions. "Tolerance is a bad word," said Walton. "It's the absolute minimum." The purpose of the Interfaith Student Association is to expose students to a variety of religions and members of those faiths with the hope that factual knowledge and understanding can change "tolerance to love." Friday, Jan. 28, distinguished members of the Canadian Muslim community arrived on campus as part of a program "to promote interfaith dialogue and moderate discussion of religious differences" as stated in their objectives. This interfaith discussion was just one opportunity for students to shed ignorant beliefs gathered from hearsay and stereotypes. It is only through this manner of cooperation and exchange that religious persecution or divisive politics will cease. Simply tolerating another's beliefs can no longer be an acceptable method of interaction in this community. It is well overdue that, at least here, finding common ground to build a framework of cooperation becomes the standard approach. Freshman, Culinary Arts "I think it's been blown out of proportion." Ron Smith Senior, Biology "We need to do something about immigration. I don't think it means that it needs to be the same as the Arizona bill ... but we need to do something about it." Anthony Layne Senior, Pharmacy "The laws that Arizona wrote were poorly written and vague as far as what police can and cannot do. As far as the policy itself, I feel like that's the policy of the United States anyway." Ryan Turek Senior, Technology Management "I'm all for fighting for an immigration bill ... I think immigration is a huge problem." Jolene Nuttall, Asst. director of public services UCCU enhances little brother status to BYU D atman and Robin. 1.) Jordan and Pippen. Michael and Tito. BYU and UVU. No matter what efforts are taken, some relationships will always feature the shadow and the overshadowed. The last pair still has time to even itself out, even if recent steps only appear to cement our university's status as BYU's little brother down the road. The most telling, and perhaps least well known, nail in the coffin is the increasing relationship between UVU and Utah Community Credit Union. UCCU was recently awarded naming rights to the university's basketball stadium, now dubbed the UCCU Center. With its name proudly displayed toward the I-15 and a branch stationed strategically at the center of campus, the credit union has become the financial symbol and sponsor of the university during its most impor- tant phase – the formative years of "university-hood." So what does this have to do with BYU? A lot more than students probably realize. Today's generation of Wolverines are conveniently unaware that UCCU was founded and established by Cougars. The institution began as BYU Employees' Federal Credit Union, founded by a BYU faculty member and established in BYU's old ROTC building. After outgrowing the Larson House and the Wilkinson Center, UCCU built a central branch in 1976 right next to Lavell Edwards Stadium. So that was then, and this is now. They're just with us now, right? Not necessarily. Incredibly, BYU has been phasing out its campus-born institution in favor of wealthier, larger and more prominent companies, such as Wells Fargo and Deseret First Credit Union, both featured sponsors at football games and other sporting events. Wells Fargo now features a branch in the Wilkinson Center, ironically where BYU's homegrown predecessor used to be. But that hasn't stopped UCCU from desperately clinging to its navy-blue ties. BYU's former institution still has its stadium branch, still sells BYU football shirts at a discounted price, and still gives away featured Cougar sports calendars while claiming to be the monetary symbol of UVU. This internal conflict is even represented by the institution's colors – blue and green. What a swell arrangement for UVU. Sure, we'll promote you like crazy while you keep sneaking back to our domineering neighbor up the street. It's a financial version of an affair, or like a girlfriend who commits to option B while still checking up on option A. Letter to the Editor Requirements • Letters must be turned in on Tuesday by noon in order to be printed in the next issue. • We make no guarantee that letters will be printed. Less tangible but more telling is what it says about the character of our university. We're more than willing to take in BYU's orphaned institution, which accepts our help while still going back to mom's house for love and affection. Already the consolation prize for rejected applicants of our neighboring university, the halls of our campus have effectively served the same role to BYU's rejected financial institution. For a university boasting NCAA credentials and enrollment numbers that rival the University of Utah, it sure seems like UVU is selling itself short — and buying estate under BYU's shadow in the process. "I think there will be lots of racial profiling. You get to stop someone on the street just because you think they're illegal, when that's not the case." Francisco Garay Sophomore, Exercise Science "I don't know if I'm completely down with [Police] stopping people because they don't look `American.' Odette Da Silva For more about immigration, turn to page A6 to read "This land is our land." uvu.review.opinions@gmail.com • Letters 300 words or less have a greater chance of being published - anything longer will be edited for content. • All letters become the property of UVU Review as soon as they are submitted. • Anonymous letters are only publishable when the safety or professional status of the author is in jeopardy. |