Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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"?aiifitodt Serving USC Since 1908 J.T. Wagenheim, Editor in Chief Shayla Stutts, Viewpoints Editor EDITORIAL BOARD Jay King, Gordon Mantler, Rob Rodusky, Lee Clontz, Carson Henderson Control Politically correct language inhibits understanding of individual differences Vertically challenged instead of short. Handicapable instead of hand icapped. African-American instead of black. Now more than ever, it's easy to avoid offending each other. W have political correctness, a method of changing the way our perception are relayed. All one must do is use the politically correct term to keep tb levels of offense at a minimum. At the same time, though, true feeling are disguised. Emotions and opinions as they translate into words are kep in check. The person and groups addressed and labeled by fancy words aren' helped by this system. But the speaker is. Face it, some people just aren' taz-tfiil \l/h<*n arMivceinrr rvnp onnlhor ocno/>!o1ln mtian tKo narmn iuvuui tt 1jv1i uuuivoomg v/iiv u1ivuiu, VOpV/V/iailJ w null Ult |a/ldWU dUUltddtl is of a different background or culture. And true, it's much nicer to hear; fancy term to describe another than a slang or derogatory one. But is it possible that political correctness has gone too far? Conflict are anesthecized instead of solved. The correct words we say by no mean: change how we act. Political correctness is the newest information contro mechanism. This "correct" language system truly undermines any goals o changing people's motives. ideally, political correctness is supposed to help us get along and under stand differences by minimizing offense. Unfortunately, this doesn't hap pen. People will feel prejudices, biases and hatred no matter how they art taught to speak and write. Motives are unchanged despite glossed-ovei terms. And the condition of those who are supposedly offended doesn'i change. At USC or any other college in the nation, political correctness merely presents the opportunity for all to speak the same language withou emotions. However, this only cures the symptoms, not the disease. Fifty years from now, there will be another term to describe a certair group or individual. The term used in 1993 will be considered harmful Thus, the need for a new, improved one will arise in the next century Then, a few years later, people will still be offended, and an even newer creative term will emerge. In the meantime, a culture remains divided, and people still can't tolerate each other's differences. In essence, political correctness tells us tc forget learning how to actually like another human being for who they are Just learn what to label them. "WHAT EIS6 CM WE P0 (NSTEAP OF PR0VIPIN6 6O0P PEilVERY SERVICE?" NEWS: 777-7726 ADVERTISING: 777-4249 "(Saifitcock Student Media Russell House-USC Columbia, SC 29208 J.T. WAGENHEIM, Editor in Chief Office Hours Monday, Wednesday 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. CARSON HENDERSON SHAYLA STUTTS Copy Desk Chief Viewpoints Editor JAY KING GORDON MANTLER City Editor University Editor LEE CLONTZ ROB RODUSKY Carolina! Editor Sports Editor EEIC GLENN CHRIS MULDROW Photo Editor Graphics Editor .r., CHRIS CARROLL ;' Coordinator of Student Media IfcENEE GIBSON LAURA DAY Advertising Manager Production Manager TODD SHEVCHIK JIM GREEN Asst. Advertising Manager Asst. Production Manager ERIK COLLINS BRIAN McGUIRE Faculty Adviser Graduate Assistant The Gamecock is the student newspaper of the University of South Carolina and is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semesters, with the exception of university holidays and exam periods. Opinions expressed in The Gamecock are those of the editors or author and not those of the University of South Carolina. The Board of Student Publications and Communications is the publisher of The Gamecock. The Department of Student Media is its parent organization. VlEWPOE What do y "I would much rather "I someone address me for iss who I am than what they are supposed to call me. The real meaning behind I- words is lost when people speak in politically correct e terms." I Tricia Banks s English senior it : Removal of fla 1 a As a Yankee, I find myself divided on the issue of whether the Stars and Bars should fly 5 over the Capitol. Many consider the flag a sym5 bol of bigotry and prejudice, and they have a J. point. They see the flag not as a battle cry of people defending state's rights against federal intrusion but as a symbol used by the KKK and other hate associations against blacks, Jews and Catholics. Others regard the Stars and Bars as their link ' with the Old South and their ancestors. They t argue most Southerners didn't fight for slavery and that most Confederate soldiers didn't own t slaves, which is correct. They argue that it's a symbol of pride in their heritage and deserves to l fly unfurled over the Capitol. I disagree that the flag as a symbol of state's rights deserves to be mothballed even though I disagree with the South's position during the civil war. I agree that for Southerners, the flag is a symbol of pride, but it belongs in a museum ) or in another arena where it can be the subject of many heated discussions. I believe those who support the flag provide the strongest reason for Truth isn't relative believed in . If Jesu: to individual doesn't ma To the editor: on the fact This is in response to Shannon c es t0?, "ul Wiley's letter titled "Religious freedom shouldn't be violated." 311 i')| This isn't a personal attack but an im 311 attack on her statement, "When it unwise cuiiio. iu lcugiou, uuui i.s ieiauvc to each individual." This statement defies all logic. , Sure, it sounds good in this day Stl and age, but there's a big problem ^1^1 in her reasoning. I believe that ' when it comes to religion, truth To the edit isn't relative to each individual. The two If I'm correct in what I believe, debate j then truth isn't relative to the indi- Confederal vidual. If I'm incorrect in what I pride in Soi believe, then truth isn't relative to should fly the individual. Either way, you and "No, it must come up with the same con- the slavery elusion: Truth isn't relative to the old as well individual. Is this too hard to com- Thus, it sho prehend? It's true that individuals As in m< have the freedom to worship and the middle, believe as they want. If someone battle flag I chooses to worship the paper this is racist group written on, then so be it. To many, ii But why worship a god that is no the worst o god at all, and why believe in tions in An something that can't save? Also, to there's noth say that an individual is the ulti- gically look mate authority on matters of moral- able parts c ity or immorality is to say that the culture, individual is a god unto himself. I suppor There's too much that individuals Confederal don't know, don't understand and Stars and B can't control to actually say that we the flag deb are gods. and Bars 1 Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, South Car< the truth and the life." Also, Jesus combination claimed to be God. Not a god, but First, le the God. He claimed that he would South C; be the final judge of every person. Americans I He foretold of everlasting torment improve on for those who rejected Him versus and comprc everlasting life for those who extremes. 1 7 ~Z 1 HeiMAtf, ? OusT WKltV SbMF INNOCENT FRESHMEN MP Foiia/P ouT T'M FliWKia/6 tAosT of mw cusses./// in I ^fouKE MoT H \l KepRe&NTiN& FmeMiTiss \TTS ou think about political i don't view this as a big "You change the r ue." but you don't chang f way you treat people Clinton White, Jr. Criminal justice Kenrick 1 sophomore Psychology fres g would assist li ^ li I I ^ its removal. While I sympathize with respecting one's heritage, I realize that many people who fought for the Stars and Bars didn't prevent its meaning from being perverted by hate organizations such as the KKK. It isn't as a wartime symbol that most people want the Stars and Bars removed from the Capitol. If this was the crux of the removers' argument, then their arguments would have died out long ago. No, it's a symbol of racism and prejudice in the years following the Civil War to the present day. The descendants of the gray legions fail to prevent their symbol from being desecrated by r\r*t C 11 mntrvrt tnr**/~v?- r\n r\ W n ikln awio ui waiiiun iuiui, anu it d iui una i^dduu Him. remain even today and s was a liar, then it disappear. Inequalities v itter anyway. But based have to be guarded again the He performed mira- But this doesn't meat merous to count and res- pie of different races car >m the dead, which more work next to each other iople witnessed, to reject respect each others' wa fis teachings would be very least, people can t respectful toward one ani Joey Davis at the same time not Accounting junior themselves to be taken of. lould honor Second, let it represe uv trarlitirmc l^al a^most 500,000 / It iraauions ^ied fighting each other i or: war. ? extremes of the flag Third' let il represent itand firm: "The those dead as well as h 2 battle flag represents was and is good in Soi uthern heritage. Thus, it ture. This doesn't meai over the State House." also embraces the evils stands as a symbol of but only that one remini and the repression of the good of old today. as the racism of today. , uld come down." t,01 T, , . His 3St issues, I m stuck in I agree the Confederate ? 1. las been associated with ^eilSOring medic >s and racial injustices, symptom, HOt d t has come to represent . f black and white rela- editor: lerica. I also agree that inis |s in responsi ling wrong with nostal- Wagenheim's Nov. 1 edit :ing back at the honor- is scapegoat for violent )f Southern history and As a Christian and a h provider, I strongly aj t the replacing of the Wagenheim's premise th e battle flag with the embraces the victim mer ars as a compromise to denies the idea of person ate. I ask that the Stars sibility and accountability become a symbol for With regard to this pr ^linians today with a determination of causalit i of meanings. violent TV and societa t it remind not only irresponsibility is mt arolinians but all obscure than a prima faci hat racial relations will tion suggests, ly with constant effort Wagenheim scornfully >mise between the two people who have been i ensions between races influenced by violent act IWHERE'S ^OU'RE BEER?! I? I correctness? lame, "I think it is important to ;e the be truly sensitive to what other people feel. Offens. ive terms should be avoi*0I" ded. Call people whatever hman ? --- * --! " inaxes mem reel comiortable." Shannon Meyers Elementary education junior lealing process that those who want the flag to remain atop the Capitol are wrong. Those who use the flag for hatred must allow the healing process to begin by taking the flag down. However, I ask those who want the Confederate flag furled and never flown again $ to consider their position. It would be a great symbolic gesture of atonement for the supporters or the flag to toio it tor me last time on top of the Capitol. In the quest to remove the flag, remember that one act of healing requires the other party to help in the process. The Stars and Bars as a symbol of both pride and hatred could have an excellent effect on removing the divisiveness that the flag now engenders. Students of all ages could learn about how a symbol of pride to one group can become a symbol of hatred to another. The flag belongs in a museum or above the home of those people who see it as the state's linkage f with the past. It doesn't belong atop the Capitol. Stephen King is a columnist for The Gamecock. will never in the entertainment media. His vill always solution to the problem of personal 4 ist. responsibility assumes people have i that peo- some internal ability to control i't live and their actions and overcome their as well as personal circumstances. iys. At the Common sense and personal^ >e just and responsibility aren't inborn gifts ^ ather while that all have but rather are traits i allowing born out of an environment in* advantage which responsibility and common 3 cense are fanaht and infemali-ioH l ^ o? ...VVI..UUCVU J | nt the fact through discipline. Vmericans People so afflicted lack an inter- n a bloody nal template from which personal< responsibility and selflessness are ] respect to grounded. In our society, personal; i0nor what freedom is well-grounded in a^ ithern cul- humanistic and egocentric doctrine." 1 that one The individual and society can't: of an era helP but act in accord with their | | sees about feelings and passions of the moment. My work as a home health nurse ; i Andreski out tjme tjme agajn , tory junior j haVe worked in homes where I poverty and abuse find their defini- -; 4 i cures tions. I see why people have such 3 . difficulty rising above their circum-"' isease stanCes. 5: Where such perversion of per-: e to J.T. sonal freedom exists, society is [ . ? tir-rrx T rvKl i C9t\A */% A * * * 1 oriai, "IV iu piuicci iiseu. /\ paiernai- .j society." istic state will exist where the rules * ealth care and responsibility are externalized * *ree with in the form of laws, punishment * lat society and censorship in lieu of an inter- -* itality and nalized set of morals. This internalal respon- ization of morals originates by the > power of Christ. ? emise, the The controlling of media enter- > y between tainment is a feeble attempt to keep t 1/personal our society alive. What a price that -? ich more we ^ Steady Paying for unlimited ^ a observa- freedom. Our children are paying J the highest price through divorce, * criticizes ahuse and general insecurity. negatively Michael Whitaker ? s depicted Nursing graduate I * # B Jill [a 4* I The Gamecock will try to *\ * print all letters received. ; 1 Letters should be 200-250 *; words and must include full I* name, professional title or *'? year and major if a student. Letters must be personally ! delivered by the author to The Gamecock newsroom in I; Russell House room 321. I; The Gamecock reserves the right to edit all letters for % style, possible libel or space limitations. Names will not be *} withheld under any , circumstances. *?