The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 19, 1995, Page 4, Image 4
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Serving (JSC Since 1908 ^
Wendy Hudson, Editor in Chief Matt Pruitt, Viewpoints Editor
Editorial Board
Lucy Arnold, Jamie Clark, Gregory Perez, Stephanie Sonnenfeld, Allison Williams,
Larry Williams, Ryan Wilson, Chris Winston
I
March provides hope
for future relations
Three decades ago, hundreds of thousands of African-Americans congregated
in Washington D.C. to hear one of the greatest leaders of the civil
rights movement deliver an emotional and uplifting appeal for unity, harmony,
and equality among mankind.
Monday, hundreds of thousands of African-Americans gathered in Washington
once again, with the majority intent on espousing the same ideals.
This time, however, the featured speaker was merely the orchestrator of the
event, not the embodiment of the beliefs presented there.
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community, with very few, perhaps only one, negative.
It seems that the majority of the attendants at the March held a higher
purpose than hearing Farrakhan speak. Many viewed the event as a step
toward unity and peace within the African-American community and throughout
the world. Many went with hopes of advocating education and equality.
These are the same beliefs that helped make the gathering on the lawn of
30 years ago historical.
Farrakhan, however, detracted attention from these values, focusing on
himself and his separatist views. Somehow, one felt that the event was aimed
at a higher purpose than spouting anti-semitic remarks and describing one's
own visionary qualities.
In essence, the fact that hundreds of thousands (some say one ipillion,
but do the exact numbers really matter?) ol people were willing to stop wnat
they were doing, come to Washington and address the problems that faced
them, is promising at the least and, at the most, incredible.
Regardless of your views concerning Farrakhan, or the exclusion of
women, don't neglect the hope-inspiring nature of Monday's event, or all the
people that attended for the right reasons.
Southerners make art
form out of naming
Southern people have the funniest
propensity for names of any oth- DREW STEWART
er people on the face of the Earth. Columnist
Think about this: How many ?
Southern people do you know with por instance, there are two unfamily
names?" There are as many fortunate children wandering around
of those oeoDle as there are flies at onmowhom nampH "Oranopiplln" and
a pig pickin'. "Lemonjello." I take it their mother
In my hometown of Summerton wag the joking type.
(pop. 975), we have a Meverline, two Or how about Picabo Street, the
Thomasines, a Neatheiy and a Man- Olympic athlete. I believe her parton,
all of whom are female. entg weren't consulting the ol'famiYes,
folks, those are their birth jy Bible when they picked that one
names. And, no, I did not make those out. Could you imagine the look on
up. the face of the birth certificate lady
Many Southerners also have fam- ag she typed that one in? I'm sure
ily names as middle names. My sis- they're still talking about it at that
ter^s middle name is Cantey (I also office.
have a cousin who goes by this dis- The absolute worst example I can
tinction), my brother's middle name think of is one I read in a column
is Warner and I have a cousin whose written by the late Lewis Grizzard.
middle name is Langdon. It seems he came upon a upon a young
It s no wonder people irom out- lady who was given the name upryside
the South always have trouble landria."
when reading a phone book. The girl's parents said the reaNicknames
are also big in the son she was hung with the title "OprySouth.
Nearly everyone has a nick- landria" was because she was conname
which they go by. ceived on a trip to Opiyland.
"Drew" is only one of mine. I don't Fm quite sure that young lady is
care to print the rest due to the fact glad she wasn't conceived in the baththat
I don't like to condescend my- room.
self in my writing. Just in case you are fixin' to have
However, this doesn't stop many a kid and don't have a clue as to what
Southerners. Back in Summerton, to name it, here are a few I would
there were a pair of brothers named stay away from: Agnes (just sounds
"Juicy" and "Jelly." I have an aunt bad), Fauntleroy (talk about ridicule),
named "Tid." One of our town coun- PeeWee (two words: Herman and
cilwomen is nicknamed "Noonie" (and Gaskins), Macauley (that quit being
that's how it appears on town sta- cute around "Home Alone T), Spanky
tionary, too!) (cute for a five year old, but it doesn't
My favorite nickname from Sum- do much for the kid when he gets old
merton was the one taken by the la- enough to date), Slappy (sounds like
dy who used to sit behind me in a name for a clown) and Slick (sounds
church; her real name was Helen, like a criminal),
but everyone calls her (TO HER Now you can't write a column
FACE!!) "Miss Boogah." about Southern names without menSoutherners
also tend to use very tioning one name in particular Bublone
names when naming their chil- ba.
dren. I know of a few who have very Believe it or not, there are many
long names, usually named for some guys in the South who will tell you
war ham that is their name as soon as they
I thought about naming some of meet you.
them, but I don't feel like being ac- And they aren't all rednecks,
cused of "openly calling for the ha- Many of them are doctors, lawyers
rassment" of these individuals and and state representatives. Even the
having fifty negative letters printed mayor of Sumter is a Bubba (Mr.
about me in The Gamecock. McElveen).
While some Southern names are But no matter what your moniker,
very elegant, there are some that I be proud of it (even if your name is
would definitely stay away from. Agnes Oprylandria Orangejello).
?TKatf#rnrb News: 777"7744
FAX: 777-6482 Online Editor
Student Media Russell House-USO Columbia, SC 29208 c^?rr?!!
Director of Student Media
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Editor in Chief Stephanie Asst Sports Creative Director
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Copy Desk Chief Photo Editor Cartoonist Taylor
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News Editor Asst. Photo Editor Circulation Manager Erjk
Larry Williams Ben Pillow Ethan Myerson Faculty Advisor
Ryan Wilson Chris Dixon Graphics Editor
Sports Editors Asst. Features Letters Policy
The Gamecock is the student newspaper of the University of The Gamecock will try to print all letters received.
South Carolina and is published Monday through Friday dur- Letters should be 200-250 words and must include full
ing the fall and spring semesters, with the exception of univer- name professional or year and major if a student
sity hoiidays and exam periods. , M . w .. j . j u .u
. . ZL ~ . Letters must be personally delivered by the author to
Opinions expressed in The Gamecock are those of the editors _ _ . . ? ?
or author and not those of the University of South Carolina. ^he Gamecock newsroom in Russell House room 333.
The Board of Student Publications and Communications is the The Gamecock reserves the right to edit all letters for
publisher of The Gamecock. The Department of Student Media style, possible libel or space limitations. Names will not
is its parent organization. be withheld under any circumstances.
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QUOTE. UNQUOTE
"Why are they criticizing M
Frowning u
There are many important battles
being fought in America's modern day
cultural war, homosexual issues being
one of the most publicized. It's a complicated
issue that is often misrepresented
by the liberal media.
Today, I will try to offer some balance
to the liberal viewpoint which has
pervaded the recent debate here at USC.
I will clear up gross misperceptions put
forth by most liberals, explain why it is
a religious issue and offer justification
for conservative positions on the issue.
First, liberals often make gross misperceptions
when offering their narrowminded
viewpoint on the issue of homosexuality.
They believe that there is
a direct correlation between level of education
and acceptance of the homosexual
lifestyle. This is totally incorrect.
Homosexuality is a moral issue, not an
intellectual issue. To assume that intellect
determines one's position on this
issue is arrogant, at the very least.
Liberals also assume that most Americans
are ignorant homophobes. My experience
has been that most of us are
somewhat uncomfortable around any
individual we know to be a homosexual.
We have an innate fear of sexual inversion.
I do not believe we should apolLETTERS
TO THE EDTI
Thanks for t
I am writing in response to the ar
tide written by Tommy Touchberry ii
the Wednesday, October 11th issue o
The Gamecock.
As a black person, I would like U
first commend Mr. Touchberry for a
least trying to understand some of th<
problems that Black Americans lace. AJ
though this article had some good points
they were overshadowed by his con
eluding comments.
Mr. Touchberry wrote, "the very ides
that we should sacrifice a color-blind so
ciety for affirmative action is appallinj
..." I would be the first to agree witl
this position, if we actually did live in i
color-blind society.
As we all know, the United States i
not a Utopian society where employmen
is based solely upon education and qua]
ifications. Unfortunately, in the rea
world employers (and in most cases, wh
are they?) tend to hire/promote peopl
who most resemble themselves. Thi
system is commonly referred to as th
"Good Ole Boy system."
Take a look at corporate America
How many physically disabled, femal
or, yes, minority people are in manage
rial or executive positions? In Corporat
America as well as in other career field*
it is painfully obvious that the above
mentioned groups are underrepresenl
ed? this is not necessarily due to lac
of education or qualifications.
Because we don't live in a color-blin
society, measures such as affirmativ
action are safeguards in promoting a d<
gree of equity in the employment ar<
na. Until we reach the desired state <
color-blindness in society, affirmativ
action must be maintained.
Though Fm certain Mr. Touchben
XMNT!
"TOAS 7"
3RS(RC?vnH(JRAtoA;fc>
, RETURN "TO f (,
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h
inister Farrakhan? He brought 1
ed for being i
Professor Andrew Chishom
ipon homose
TOMMY TOUCHBERRY
Columnist
ogize for these natural feelings. But, this
feeling of awkwardness around a known
homosexual doesn't excuse ridiculous,
rude or hateful behavior toward any person.
Secondly, homosexuality is essentially
a religious and moral issue. Your
opinion as to whether homosexuality is
acceptable conduct or sinful behavior
probably depends on your personal religious
and moral beliefs. Most major
religions openly oppose sexual relations.
For example, Christianity takes a
clear, simple stand. Throughout the New
Testament, the apostles write of Jesus'
teachings against sinful behaviors. Homosexuality
and sexual sin are preva
lent in these accounts. Jesus says that
"homosexuality" and "sexual sin" separates
us from God (1 Corinthians 6:9,
Romans 13:13, Galatians 5:19, and Hei
brews 13:4, to name a few).
This makes it clear that the faithful
Christian must oppose the act of homosexuality
in a moral context. It is also
important to note that Jesus teaches us
m
tying, but you
had good intentions, I am sure he did
i not realize his implications when he
f wrote about certain black political leaders
that he felt Black Americans should
) support.
t For White Americans to tell Black
i Americans whom they should support
is demeaning because it reminds us of
i, the plantation mentality, where the master
made decisions for himself and the
slaves. But more importantly, it implies
a that black Americans do not possess the
" intellect to determine their leaders.
I As with any community, there is no
l one leader who embodies every single
i belief of all of its citizens. So it is in die
African-American community: there are
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t totally, depending on the issue(s).
In closing, I am pleased to see that
1 there are people such as Mr. Touchbero
ry who try to keep an open mind about
e such issues. It is only through dialogue
s and trying to maintain this openness
e and respect towards differences that
progress will be made towards realizing
l. a better quality of life for all America,
e
THfani Middleton
e Biology Senior
5,
Sports editor dropped the
k ball with latest column
d I recommend keeping your sports
e editor writing sports stories, not political
commentary.
Ryan Wilson accuses Governor
)f Beasley and other state and national
e leaders of falling down on their jobs of
keeping tragedies such as the attempty
ed murder/suicide that occurred last
5
Thursday, October 19,1995
A TOAST
TO Vou jFoR^R A
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this together. It was his vision, and he should be applauda
visionary."
, on the Million Man March
xuality justified, natural
to "hate the sin, not the sinner" and that position of the community,
any Christian can achieve God's for- Also, the government should make
giveness through repentance. These are (or keep) the following illegal: same-sex
key points which all Christians should marriages, sexual relations of any kind
put into daily practice, and all conserv- between an adult and a minor the teachativw
would be wise to respect. ing 0f homosexuality in any publicly
Thirdly, conservative positions on funded 3chooi (the school should not
homosexual-reiatai issues arejusbfied mention ^ ^ , md child ad tlon
The laws of South Carolina state that , , , ,
it is iUegal to have any type of inter- by homosemial couples
course (vaginal, oral or anal) outside of . rHirther, homosexuals shoul no be
marriage. These laws represent the stan- given special status as a protected group,
dards of the community (South Caroli- No one bon* homosexual, it is an orina),
entation. As Newt Gingrich says, "hoSome
would say the government has mosexuality is an orientation very much
no right to infringe on the private sex- like alcoholism." This does not provide
ual choices made by consenting adults, a basis for special rights.
If that were the case then the govern- In closing, I want to remind you that
ment would have no right to arrest those homosexual behavior has existed since
who use illegal drugs. If the government biblical times. It has always been con
believes the behavior to be destructive gidered deviant md abnormal. As modto
the commuiuty as a whole, then it em to nonnalize ^ ^
certainly has a right to make the be- , . .. . , V;,
v if , b of behavior, we continue to lose our abil en
that constitutional precept, I ^ * "J*6 rat;onal maral
don't believe the government should be e vf know when it is nght to
in the act of invading the privacy of one's ^ progress^6 when it is right to be
home in the case of homosexual rela- traditional. In terms of basic sexuality
tions between two consenting adults, values, we need to be very traditional.
But the law should stay on the books as Civilization as we know it depends on
a standard which represents the moral it.
still don't understand
Thursday at Blackville-Hilda High School Thursday by going to Blackville and offrom
happening. He says "I have wrote fering his condolences and support to
(sic)... that those in power just don't the shocked community. A midnight baslisten?maybe
they will now." ketball program wouldn't have helped
If by "those in power" refer to Gov- Toby Sincino. Gun control wouldn't have
ernor Beasley and the Republicans of kept that gun out of his hands,
the '94 election, he is sadly mistaken. No, this was not a step back for the
They are all too aware of the problem of second amendment. This was a step forviolence
and children. But they have ward for the new School Prayer amendgreater
insight into the solution of this ment.
problem than Mr. Wilson and those who
carry his sentiments. Kirk WNtworth
The second amendment is not the Freshman
issue here. "More gun control would not Music Composition/Pre-Med
have spared the life of two people at
Blackville-Hilda. That evil child did not
get that gun from his home or from a
gun shop, which are the only two places
that gun control has any authority. A
look at recent statistics will show that
since the inception of the Brady Law,
violence with guns has increased not de- ~
creased. Gun control does not keep guns MM MM* ? wO IJ/
out of the hands of criminals. mWMMMMJ MtUww
^eody thing that wouM have spared Ies^ ^ wekx)Iae
the two lives would be a respect that
was never instilled into that twisted Letters should be between 200
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other Republicans are pushing for, the delivered personally to The
restoration of a sense of right and wrong,
is exactly what liberals are fighting Gamecock, Student, Media,
against. Room 333 of the Russell House.
rrr1?,
took God out of the schools, the schools signature should be mcludwent
straight to hell." A respect for hu- ed. The Gamecock reserves the
man life (which legalized abortion di- right to edit all letters for
minishes) and an acknowledgement that
there is someone other than ourselves len8th and/ar P083 6 hbelthat
we will answer to (God) very well Names will not be withheld
may have kept such tragedy out of a under any circumstances,
small South Carolina community.
The governor did all he could do on