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IN YOUR OPINION i ■ . i , , “I Hatred tor others weakens nation I would like to address the rash of racial tension now rearing its ugly head in our nation, our state and in our Carolina community. While I understand why people are angry, saddened, upset, frustrated and downright bloodthirsty, we have to remember that we are a nation built on diversity. We seek to build diversity in our community, and for good reason. We learn from other cultures, experiences, and ideas. The more we know, the better we are as individuals and as a society. While we strive for politeness and the entitlement of everyone to their own opinion, it is time to say enough! It is time for us to stand up in the face of racism and hatred to say that it is not OK to hate others based on the simple fact that they look, act, think, worship and/or speak differently than ourselves. It is NOT OK to hate Blacks, Whites, Asians, Arabs, Christians, Jews, Muslims or Buddhists. It is NOT OK to hate ANYONE for reasons of identity! Hate is the very seed of what happened in New York and Washington, D. C. These terrorists and the remaining ones around the world hate Americans for reasons based on our identity and its influence and contagiousness around the world. The whole purpose behind this terrorist attack is to cause division, for us to hate their ethnic group even more, for us to attack them, to act horribly toward them so that they have even more reason to carry out further acts of violence. We cannot give in if we hope for peace. We must embrace the differences between us. Do we hate ourselves because Timothy McVeigh killed 168 Americans? No. Hating, attacking, and violating the Arabs and Muslims in our country ana our community only weakens us. It fractures and divides us. We gain strength in our unity. Abraham Lincoln said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand... ” They love this country for the same reasons that all Americans do. They left their respective countries to live freely, safely and prosperously. In a world that seems to continuously fracture into smaller and smaller groups over differences in identity, let us be original and remain united. Let us draw strength from’that. Let us be bold. Let us be true leaders. Let us stop our hate and our division before it starts. In that, we will be indestructible and indivisible, no matter how many buildings fall. JENIFER FREEMAN use GRADUATE STUDENT IN STUDENT PERSONNEL SERVICES Student thankful for sensitivity I felt the need to thank you for your sensitivity toward the international and Muslim students here. Your editorial was poignant and relieving. Your article was an answer to our prayers. I still feel a little afraid while on campus, but your hard work and consideration in urging us not to unjustly place blame have definitely reduced my fears. Thank you for revitalizing my inner hope and belief in the phrase, “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” SHEIMA SALAM THIRD-YEAR STUDENT IN HONORS COLLEGE; VICE PRESIDENT, MUSLIM STUDENTS ASSOCIATION Display flag in appropriate way As a student of this university and a citizen of this great country, I have been moved by the tremendous support and patriotism everyone has shown for the victims ana tnis country, i think it is wonderful that stores are selling out of American flags and that people are eagerly displaying them. However, there are proper and improper ways to display the flag of this great nation. Here are a few rules for displaying the flag: When the flag of the United States of America is being displayed vertically against a wall, the union or blue field should be to the observer’s left. The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, water or the floor. The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled or damaged in any way. I hope these tips help, and I encourage everyone to keep displaying their flags for a long time to come. BRIAN PHILLIPS FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT, COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE Reader agrees with paper’s stance I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments concerning the football game and the fact classes were held on Wednesday. I teach fifth grade at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the largest Marine Corps base on the east coast. On Tuesday, teachers ducked into the library trying to catch snatches of the news as we had a few free moments throughout the day. Our classes were not called off for Wednesday, only delayed by two hours. That was because the MPs were checking each car as it entered the base. We were told to “operate as usual.” That was a great policy for our students, but we as adults (many from New England) wanted to stay glued to the TV or on the phone trying to reach friends and families. Several military bases shut down completely. Our commanding General decided against this. Each leader had to make a decision how to handle this matter. No matter what choices were made, not everyone would have been happy! So the administration made a poor call — what else is new? Without that, your newspaper wouldn’t have any causes to take up and write about! You have that great freedom in the USA to do that — they can screw up; you can complain in public! Concerning the football game: it was my impression Bowling Green had all intentions of traveling to South Carolina as long as they could get on the plane! They had not taken up a moral issue concerning the game! In fact, I think it was your news that reported Bowling Green would travel if flights were resumed. So don’t go off on USC football; Bowling Green was willing to play! Maybe their student body rose up and complained, but Wednesday they were willing to travel and play football this weekend. I am glad the game has been postponed. It is the right thing to do concerning this past weekend. I don’t think we need to pretend this tragic event has not happened. DIANE K. PINA B.S. DEGREE ELEMENTARY EDUCATION FROM USC. 1979 Editor’s note: USC offered to fly Bowling Green to Columbia on a charter flight, but the team refused. Support lifts spirits, gives hope As a transfer student from New York, I was perhaps hit a little harder than most other students by the horrific events of Tuesday. On Wednesday, I and many of my fellow students in the Athletic Training program rushed down to the Red Cross to volunteer and give blood. What I saw there was absolutely amazing, people filled the lobby, lined the halls and were even sitting outside. All of them were waiting to give blood or to volunteer. When I asked one gentleman how long he had been waiting to donate, he replied, “I’ve been sitting here four hours, but I’m not going home until I’ve given what I can.” Everyone there had been waiting for quite some time, v and nobody minded in the slightest. This truly lifited my spirits and gave me.some hope. The amount of support pouring forth from the USC community and the citizens of South Carolina is tremendous. I have spoken with a few other people from New York and New Jersey, and we are all amazed by this show of solidarity. We appreciate it more than we can ever express. PETER FATH THIRD-YEAR STUDENT. COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Administration’s actions insensitive I would like to express my disappointment with the university administration in the way they handled the events on Tuesday. In my opinion, it was very insensitive for them to keep students in classes. I personally spoke with students who were directly affected by the tragic events and tnose not lmmediatly connected to the events who were in a state of shock; both groups were unable to focus on their classy/ork. By not canceling classes on Tuesday, at legist, and Wednesday, the administration showed a lack of concern for the needs of the student body, and a lack of respect for the students, faculty and staff who were waiting for the phone to ring with news of missing loved ones. Also, because classes were not cancelled, students who wanted to help in any way with the relief effort were unable to do so because they were required to be in class. In the future, I jvould like to think the administration will follow the lead of the other schools in the area and cancel classes so that all persons associated with the University can do what they need to do in order to deal with the events as they unfold. LEANNE FRALEY FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT, COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Submission Policy Letters to the editor or guest columns are welcome from the Carolina community. Letters should be 250-300 words.'Guest columns should be about 600 words. Both must include name, phone number, professional title or year and major, if a student. Deliver handwritten submissions to Russell House room 333, or send e-mail to gamecockviewpoints@hotmail.com. The Gamecock reserves the right to edit for libel, style and space. Anonymous letters will not be published. Photos are required for guest columnists and can be provided by the submitter. Call 777-7726 for more information. Miani There will be vengeance CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 and according to the NATO agreement, an attack oh one is an attack on all. Maybe you should have thought about that. I hope you spineless bastards can see how Americans are banding together and helping one another. You have just made •us stronger. In closing, I would just like to extend my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those killed by these' vicious attacks against us. Worry not, there will be vengeance. God bless you. CAROLINIAN CREED WEEK 2001 ESSAY CONTEST Prizes include: $500 USC/UF Football tickets Various other prizes Compose an essay of 500 words on how this quote relates to the Carolinian Creed and to USC students: "His father had raised him to believe that nothing could be superior to the good instincts: honor, courtesy, courage." — F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tender is the Night Please turn essays in to the Office of Student Judicial Programs at 900 Assembly Street, Suite 103 by Monday, September 24th. Sponsored by WEB Laundry Service and the USC Athletic Department in conjunction with University Housing and the Office of Student Judicial Programs. '< 1 f