The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, April 19, 1993, Page 3, Image 3
Stars and Bars
Confederate battle flag proposal
constructive compromise to old debate
The use of the Confederate battle flag to represent Southern heritage
throughout the South has been a center of controversy for
years.
Four states ? South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and
Mississippi ? fly the flag over their state capitol. However,
Georgia is in the process of removing it from the state's flag.
South Carolina started flying the battle flag over the Statehouse
in 1961 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Civil War.
However, many critics of the flag argue that it was raised over the
Statehouse as a protest to desegregation. And it has been the
source of much debate ever since.
But a possible compromise about the flag in South Carolina
could be reached in the near future.
Charleston Sen. Robert Ford, who has led the opposition to the
flag, is planning to propose a compromise that would remove the
current battle flag and replace it with the Stars and Bars, which
was used by the Confederacy from 1861 to 1863.
Sen. Glenn McConnell, a vocal supporter of the the battle flag
staying where it is, said Ford's proposal has some merit.
Ford's plan seems to be the perfect solution to an otherwise
heated and, in someways, pointless debate. Both sides feel very
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heritage, the other side says hate.
The Stars and Bars is similar to the U.S. flag; it has a blue field
in the upper left-hand corner with 7 white stars, and three broad
stripes, two red and one white, across the rest of the Hag.
The Stars and Bars is even more representative of the South and
its traditions since it was the original Confederate Hag. The battle
Hag we recognize today became the Confederate's new war flag in
1863 because the original one was difficult to decipher from the
American Hag.
In addition to representing the heritage of the South, the Stars
and Bars does not have the highly negative connotation the other
flag has.
Many people, especially minorities, find the Confederate Bag
offensive because of its use by the Ku Klux Klan and other racist
organizations. The Stars and Bars does not invoke the same type
of reaction.
Ford's proposal to replace the current Confederate flag with the
original flag used by the Confederacy is an excellent way to end a
debate that has gone on for too long.
Southern heritage is very important to many South Carolinians,
and should be respected. But the sensitivities of the many people
who are offended by the flag should also be taken into account.
The Stars and Bars still represents Southern tradition, but it is
not offensive. And, hopefully, it will eventually be flying over the
Gatehouse, representing all, not just some, South Carolinians.
University should stress
racial, cultural harmony
The Rodney King civil rights
diet brought eruptions of violence
and fear to the most PATRICK
volatile parts of Los Angeles. V I L L E G A S
But this year it was different. ________________
There were no riots, no uproar. :,.i
uiauiiiil, UIl IIJC >UCUU iivnn,
no nothing. bas a | w tQ Q
It s kind of tunny. With such Ifs 1993 and no onc sccms to
a negative ellect occurring alter care ,ha( we ^ have ^malm
year s verdict, why >sn t e(, sororilies anU fraternities,
theie a visible positive ettect Although it would be tough,
taking place . ? integrated fraternities and sororiNow,
I know people aien t (ies wouid effectively shape how
going to run out ot their houses some people think when they
to hold hands and sing spirituals ,eave college m(i enter rea, |Uc
in the slieet, but think the p any0ne is bold enough to trv
nation needs to see something to break the mol(l i su;sesl lh'c
extremely positive to he p (all 0f 1993 is a great o^Jxmun.improve
relations between the (y
dilteient races. The hiring of black faculty
Through federal or state lund- and s(a|T also nceds improvc.
ing, each locality needs to expe- mcm In order tor 01hers (()
lience some kind ot cultural understand some of the struggles
awareness so that events such as of ,ifc tVom a b,ack perspective,
the King beating will be curbed. SUldcn,s need t0 have an insight,
hducation courses in schools. vvhjch a)uRj comc fn)m a black
government otlices and munici- professor or a counselor,
pa services such as fire and Thcrc are many ideas, but
police orces needs to be imple- idcas arcn-t good uniess action
mented. City events that pro- is (akcn , t aclion begin
mo e iacn lversity also need vvjdl S()ineone with real power
more coverage and promotion 1 ... . r.?.
c ttc^. , here at the university ? the lacEven
here at USC, racial ten- j
sions could be improved. . " V. ,
, l ?. .. .. ' 1 lie laculty here can make
USC has one ol the highest t. . r . .
.... . sorfoc waves. Ihev have duect
percentages 01 oiacKs on campus
in die nation, yet this .school Mill "J1" lhe :idinill.ls"a"\c
lends lo he perceived as a eood l'iin.cs that various student lend
ole hoy institution. We nec-d to "nl> wlsl' 1 hc
stttrt chanuinc the itnaue ol* this lucidly memheis haw
i . ~ more advantages because lhc\
^ ' fl.'IV'i* linro lAiinot* am/I h'i\ ,<
Bu. events like mend taunts mw g ^ lhim ;i
arc not the way to begin. VVe ,11 s|m|cm w|u) wj||, f
know that racial lorums aic noi c),ne^ vcars
successful because it is usually a , U)^y ^ ^ c;m
one-sided ordeal. be made before another beaiine
Instead, the university and the has,() (akc ,Qc
students need to start vvorkinii
on programs that will benefit Patrick Villegas is editor in chief
outers in the lime to come, l or gfThe
HERE AT U&C,
Motro is "it
T~s
CLA
V m
EP
r as
Smoking, oth<
Maybe it's just me. but aren't cig
tueltcs the damnedest phenomenon?
Within three-and-a-half inches of
rolling paper and an attached filter,
a pile of chopped tobacco influences
our daily routine. For me. I
start my mornings out by brewing a
cup of coffee, lighting a cigarette
and reading the daily newspaper.
But, if I were to not light a cigaI'D
f to T iimnlrl n a( Fpp 1 rirthf
1 VVV/U1U II wi 1VV1 1 I
would feel like a crying baby without
its pacifier.
And that's the strange thing
about dependencies. We examine then
wonder how we could ever get by will
1 ask myself how could I get by w:
friends, coffee or cigarettes and so on.
Some people would say develop
dependencies is bad and points out a
son. I disagree; I think it's just a cha
of who you arc.
We all have flaws. Some of us
much. Some of us eat too much. Some
SGA forums needed
to involve students
To the editor:
Lea Clayton's stance in the April
16 Crossfire raised some valid
points that I believe should be
addressed. Student government
forums provide an opportunity for
individuals to question student
leaders and administrators about
campus issues. The Vice
President's Panel held Tuesday,
April 13 was publicized through
Student Affairs to more than 200
organizations across campus.
For the 30 people who participated.
die panel was a chance to questi/\n
*1/Im i m v:t r'llMfc 'iK/mi! \*i ci t'?tir\ri
academic integrity and minority
status based on sexual orientation.
It is somewhat discouraging when
only 30 people attend a forum dial
was publicized to every organization
on campus. The message conveyed
by apathy is clear; administrative
decisions can be made with
minimal student criticism.
Student government is an
attempt to fix a rallying point lor
students to express their concerns
and lobby the university for
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OUR HEVJ
ss is more"
I OTHER WoR[>S:
SS -PACK?F>
SSRooMs MEMS
\E OF AN /
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m?mm?mm?mm?mm \
T I G E ;
WATTS
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rt. and we relates to evei
tout diem. der the Natf
ithout iny peace pipe so
remarkable,
ting such Another th
weak per- way, you can
iracteristic with a simple
For those
drink too point is, I'm
of us are here. It's just
change. Instead of partic
this mechanism and incr
effectiveness, many stude
SCiA of being exclusio
label its leaders as "uncar
climbers." This places stu
eminent in a precarious p
a leader works to achie
thing that is beneficial t<
dent body, it is often vit
"political scheme." If n
accomplished, then the a
lion is ineffective. Unfort
is a no-win situation.
Student government i
strong as its numbers.
( ^lovdnn ctoto/1 Alio'
v^ia^u/u >>uuv.u, i nu v/mv
cannot fight 'the system'
has the voice and will of I
behind it." 1 could not a*!
If students are willing
behind its leaders, then pi
day llie student body pre.be
able to stand at a
trustees meeting confi
26.000 students are read}
their demands are not r
then. SGA forums ;ue an
get students aware and im
Brij
International studies s<
UNIVERSITY O
Patrick Villi
Lee Clout/.. 1.1. Wagon I
Gordon Mai
Brian Garl
lack Dunn. Melissa Toi
.ea Clayton. Rochelle Killingl
lonnit'er I t
Meliiula Wak
Nancy Salomonsky. Tim Tho
Roh Rodi
Stephanie Ne'
l'.II. i,a,.
lXV^I I \ " V "I II
(iregory I'
Chris Milkl
Paul
Chris Davis. Thorn I lar
Jim McK?
I .aura
lim Gi
Renee Gil
Michael Van Bei
Erik Co
Brian McG
. Erin Galloway. Rika Ilashin
less epuca'
For More
m0ne4.
encies a na
perfectionists. and others are s
And some of us have depet
cies, like smoking.
But can you get on the bac
those who smoke? Think aboi
times when you see somi
smoke. I know that 1 like to si
when I'm out with my friends
ing a good time. It heighten;
sense of comfort and relaxati
also smoke when I'm worrie
uneasy about something, an
ous sign of discomfort.
Thus, you have this drug
y situation that you're in. No
ve Americans passed arounc
much: they found something
ling about cigarettes is that,
exhale all that is bad inside o
puff. It's a truly symbolic reh
who are still wondering wha
sony that I've been ramblin
that when I hear those who
r,;,?,'" Writer shoo
nts accuse from labelir
nary and
>ng ladder ? *he editor:
idem gov- a,n writint
osition. If
Jet trey Turbitt'
ve some- C(),npare..."
CO
a the stu- ' read. I fount
-*wed as a 01 a resP^ctfuJ t
iotiiing is Marian Anderson
dininistia- ct' c, 'l'que of rap
unately it Mr. Turbitt set
right track whe
s only as "Anderson's d<
As Ms. reminder of . .
ials really Alrican-Americ;
unless it American music,
i he people ue^ 10 s,ate a m
free more. 'aken seriou
to rally repetitive and >
.'rhaps one sa-v. l'lal characit
iident will African music in
hoard of '"""led to. voca
dent that ca" a"d tcsintn
< to act if s>ncopation and
net. Until ?' which can he
attempt to ,m,sic.
lOlved. n?w. then, ca
that native Alric
m Comer a^'c to identify
tpliomore , , , ,
1 evolved directly I
llfllcOl
F SOUTH CAROL
;gas
The Gamecock
land South Carolina ar
ancn Wednesdays and I
>eck weekly during bo
!llcr vcrsitv holidays ai
Irop r\
lscn Opinions expres:
usky author and not the
kvlin The Board of 5
,son publisher of The
'ore/
! me parent organiz
jun Change of addrt
man respondence shou
:iiar The University of
Subscription ra
kson Columbia, SC. Th
oen of the University <
llins dent activity fees.
uire
lolo
rioM - Ha
Vpo,
t:
^ .j
J 6EE, 1
W^A*f
itural part of life
ilobs. the ami-tobacco front stand up on their soap box
iden- and start complaining about the "evils of smoking,"
1 develop a little twitch,
ks of You just can't understand what it's like to
it the have a dependency such as smoking, No one
eone knows what it's like to have a drug that's a
noke "catch-all."
hav- I'm not here to strike against those who coms
the plain about smoking, I just wish those who
on. I argue against it try to understand. And I know
-d or it's hard to understand why a four-inch piece of
obvi- tobacco controls a person's lifestyle, but it does.
It controls you just like jogging does to some^at
one who exercises. It controls yon just like a
won~ baseball game does someone who likes sports.
It's a part of you, and you grow with that trait.
So, next time you think smokers are agents of
n Satan, think about a trait that dominates your
' lifestyle and try to understand.
D m o m Kn t- ire tr\ inrl rta t K or\ I /-\ nnrlar
lxv^niv^min^i, 11 o tadiui iu iuuxw uuui iv; uiiuwiixer.
* ?
l my slandig
on
lead Tige Watts is a columnist for The Gamecock
Id refrain Furthermore, forms called hollers
and work songs were die predecesIg
milSiC sors of Negro spirituals, and were
based upon repetition and simplicity.
What does Mr. Turbitt want ?
; in response to coloratura singing and hemiola in
s "Rap does not p0p music?
lumn ot April 16. There is a world of difference
\ myselt jolted out between classical forms of music
ribute to contralto and folk, pop and rock forms. All
i into an uneducat- music is in a constant state of
music. renewal, and rap just makes tliis all
;med to be on the die more evident. 1 can empadiize
:n he stated that with your dislike of certain music
*ath serves as a forms, Mr. Turbitt, but, in the
contributions future, please refrain from labeling
ins have made to lonns as "hardly music."
" I li> iIkmj rnnlin.
sic form couldn't Melody l>. Edwards
isly when it was Vocal performance senior
simplistic." May I JHTHEBEEHBCn
: lis tics ol original
elude, hut are not The Gamecock will uy to print
I forms includina a" 1,c.""sJne",nved-?Lel,ers
should be 200-250 words maxise.
polyihythins, mum. Full name and profesimprovisation;
all sional title or year and major, if
: identified in rap a student, must be included
along with an address and
n Mr. Turbitt say phone Gamecock
J reserves the right to edit for
ans would not be style, possible libel or space
with the music ol limitations. The Gamecock will
n the rap form not withhold names under any
from them? circumstances.
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