University of South Carolina Libraries
Kappa Alp I am writing in response to the letter to the editor on Feb. 6 concerning Kappa Alpha fraternity. I felt compelled to respond to Miss McGriffs letter because it was very unfair. KA is a very old, traditional fraternity that was celebrating its upcoming formal by hand-delivering invitations to the young ladies in South Tower. When they marched across campus in Confederate uniforms, they were honoring a tradition of years past when gentlemen "came acalling" on young ladies in person and not by telephone. They were not marching for or against any certain cause, but had they been, they would have been celebrating the Civil War. I know symbols mean different things to different people, but the Civil War was about states' rights. I am not arguing that the major states' right was that of slavery, but there were many other factors contributing to this war between the states. I am very sorry this offended Miss McGriff or any other USC student, but it was not an act of racism. Also, in response to Miss McGriff s attacks on The Gamecock for printing the picture, I have this to say. She stated "The Gamecock represents the student body... at USC." If this is a true statement, then there should be nothing printed that offends anyone. The newspaper prints what's going on in our community. It is not censored to protect people's feelings. Every day I can read something in any paper that offends me because we are all individuals, not carbon clones. Fortunately, thafs the world we live in. Jim Davis Marketing and Management senior Column has universal, not just Southern, truths Southern gentlemen should be polite. Everyone should be polite. Southern gentlemen should respect members of the opposite sex. That is universal. If Southern gentlemen can cuss occasionally, then everyone can do the same. A true Southern gentlemen wouldn't dare dishonor his hometown by using it as a pretense for low-class humor. Mr. Stewart is correct: grits should be prepared without cheese, as his weekly column should be. My I.D. i . flip %i|| Sign i (i.e. < get 5 i BB DAY $0,225 $0.75 per call when i Call Cu? UNIVERSITY OF SOUIH(AROUNA Computer Services Center 1st Floor, 1244 Blossom Street Columbia, SC 29208 (803) 777-1800 ha fraterni Elizabeth Allen Business sophomore Newspaper is right to publish all news I am writing in reponse to a letter published Feb. 6, written by Rakeishea McGriff concerning the appearance of a picture of members of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity Inc., who were dressed in Civil War garb as they delivered invitations across the campus to a dance. I am generally one to keep my opinions to myself; however, the bold assertions made in Ms. McGriffs letter were too much for me to tolerate. Ms. McGriff wrote about many of the problems and offenses she felt because of the picture. I will not deny her the right to use this forum to air her grievances, for I will now use it to air my own. Ms. McGriff stated, "I feel The Gamecock represents the student body as a whole at USC. If this is a true statement, then there should be nothing printed that offends anyone.... [U do not wish to see anything which is offensive to me or my heritage printed in it. I feel this is both my privilege and my right." Perhaps Ms. McGriff would like to persnoally edit The Gamecock every day for those things she finds offensive. And while she is at it, why don't we let her burn a few books in the Thomas Cooper Library? After all, her tuition dollars go to support that as well, and I am sure she could find something there that would offend her. Since Ms. McGriff is so concerned about rights, perhaps she will care to remember the rights of free speech and freedom of the press. The Gamecock acted responsibly in its publication of the picture of Kappa Alpha fraternity. It did not judge the actions of the students in the picture. It did not condemn or condone. As is proper, The Gamecock reported an event occurring on campus Ms. McGriff stated The Gamecock should not print anything offensive to anyone in the student population. If we follow her advice, then Ms. McGriffs letter would not have published. The gall with which she wrote about her right to determine the suitability of material for publication in a college newspaper was certainly offensive to me. Her words about the actions of the fraternity were offensive to my heritage, s a Calinc B? ^ I ,^Wfcj' | ;J||| MH Way! jp for your USCard t jet your new I.P. ma< :ree minutes and $5 IDs are being made in the Russel House Mall EBHU EVEfMIVIG P . ? $0,198 Per minute rates 5 urchargee: used on-campus $0.25 per call whei itomer Services at VbOO-lOC Si Get The Gamecock Mlmi ity membe IBB yet I did not deny her right to speak her mind. I accept the cultural diversity of our student body and the various ideas and beliefs each student brings to this school. I feel The Gamecock does a remarkable job of showing that diversity and the many positive events that could only exist on a diverse campus where students are free to express their views, heritages and personalities. It is impossible to please everyone all the time, and by trying to do so, The Gamecock would J _ ll. . 1 ___/? T unaermme tne principles 01 journalism it is trying to teach. I do not feel that Ms. McGriff is wrong to be offended by the actions of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. She has a right to her own opinion; however, I hope Ms. McGriff will realize the consequences that will result if controversial material is not printed. Every event that occurs is controversial to someone somewhere. Our nation was founded on the belief that we are free to express our views without fear of suppression. All events deserve an objetfive presentation that will inform the populace. To edit such events from publication ignore the reality of diversity and differing opinions and heritages. Our nation's strength lies in diversity, and it must not be censored. Victoria E. Chappell Chappell and Smith Attomeys-at-Law March was for remembering, not hate I'm an 18-year-old female here at USC. There was a letter published in The Gamecock Feb. 6 written by Rakeishea McGriff. The letter was in reference to a Kappa Alpha fraternity tradition. I was extremely offended by the letter. I thought it was ironic that McGriff stated, "Because this is 1996,1 think it is safe to say this is one tradition that I Card? oday ie*) credit swwp- # i / wacjmiw li $0,171 1 used off-campus >-1156 TSUI AjBog Connected! jJJKIKl Wednesday, Februar rs were hoi t r\ r Li c / v i n c needs to be broken." Perhaps the writer can take her own advice. Different cultures have their own traditions. Being Southern is a culture, a way of life that includes honoring the Confederate army and the Rebel flag, not for slavery, but to remember our freedom. I understand the importance of maintaining one's heritage, but why should a fraternity discontinue its traditions when we are continually bombarded with African-American traditions, some of which might offend me. But Fm not saying that they should forget who they are; all Fm saying is that since it is 1996 and not 1850, maybe African Americans could learn to respect our tradition, as Southerners, as we do theirs. Besides, Kappa Alpha is a fraternity that is predominantly Southern young men, just as Alpha Phi Alpha is a Dredominantlv African-American fraternity. Hie traditions of Kappa Alpha should be left out of whatever controversy there may be. The whole point of remembering that time wasn't to reflect upon slavery but to remember our independence. AfricanAmericans should be proud to be Southern, just like the rest of us. Erin Dunning Pharmacy freshman GOP doesn't serve everyone's interests Tommy Touchberry's editorial Feb. 7 is basically rhetorical garbage, as are most of his and many other leading conservatives' printed opinions. Touchberry refers to being in the "sensible center'' as "hogwash" and advises the public to "vote your convictions." This is certainly good advice. However, since the two existing parties often represent extremities of both moral and political philosophies, one must accept their ^alem QiMe& Co Located In the bo' of the Capstone H 5:00pm until 8:15| (9ti ? 52?^* <28*^ (5^/uisnp. Scampi &5aJc?cl &oIala lail/t ^ &$taccaA witA < uftedi ($auleed (ffl7LzJuox>/ri r. a nrrci a r~\ DAI1XD ^ Located at the Bates All You Can Eat Buffet for 01 5:00pm until 7:30| (9L ?' Qfa/ad JPondon Mad ^(5&den ^ &$eded ufit/L in <~^j?asnfUfy ^ffitaccali icutA ^^asde ( fficutz &5aJced isolator* 3/onduc dotation icutA <tfcutnd Q$ngd $ and (Sfflatdtmal/oi Specialty, r ?S ~ S 1 14, 1996 loring thei extremities by picking a side. A person may agree with the Republicans' balancedbudget platform but oppose the party's stance on moral-based legislation. Without being able to approach the "sensible center," one often compromises his or her convictions. Furthermore, Touchberry's assumption that all independents are merely disillusioned conservatives is grossly inaccurate. Independents include socialists, anarchists and a multitude of other groups that rightfully feel neither party represents their interests. m i_i tti.i l 'A luucnoerry assumes tne vast majority of Americans" are conservative because the Republican party addresses issues that concern them. Surely Mr. Tbuchberry, USC's expert on public opinion, is aware that many Americans also favor socialized medicine, gun control and environmental protections. Can we thus assume that the GOP, if it is a party of the people, is also in favor of these measures? The truth is, Touchberry spouts out the same trip Limbaugh, Liddy and their ilk pollute the airwaves with. His column is little more than an advertisement for the GOP. Anyone who agrees with Touchberry's opinion regarding the "liberal" stance of the Democratic party would be welladvised to read the brilliant Noam Chomsky for a true picture of a party as committed to the interests of the rich as the Republicans. This advice goes for Mr. Touchberry as well. David Bishop English freshman Jason Paddock English freshman Stories did not cover angles fully Words cannot express the disgust I felt when I read the editorial, "WUSC task force's actions harm own legitimacy,'' printed in the Feb. 2 edition of The Gamecock. In this editorial, you willfully and blatantly misinterpreted the facts. You have made an attempt to vilify the former executive staff of WUSC-FM for our actions, implying that we have "something to hide" because one of the five days of interviews was conducted in executive session. nHH (JSC Dining Services^ ^i/ieA Qy Wit | Itom TTfTl ouse AitJ om MAR CY77' Locotei // Le/iu of th< ; 4 4:15p d (2'^Soad/ei fC)^ G> 57- \ytJA, uO o, p Waived <^y ^Jauas p p /ci & teamed i & (yniosu Sjfa 'end & 3 5^?| \FE I?ec ; House "le low price! > ?. 71* Located at All You Can Eat ?Mdan SSL 5:0?P ine (Sauce SC)* (3/ p L>Z^ ?z 2^ UD ?(. XJac/1 " 'jad ^^ode ?r/s~ Wa at .*. % (Sptac FWwl i 5 i tradition The one day was Monday. On Monday, individual former members of WUSC were interviewed by the Student Government task force. These interviews were closed to the public, as the task force requested. Personally, I did not even realize I had the right to open the session; had I realized this, I would have ?gladly done so. The Mowing four days of interviewing were done in open session. These interviews included an interview with * Matt Horgan and repeated questioning of other members. The Gamecock essentially ignored these interviews, despite the fact a Gamecock reporter was present at each. Take as an example Trey Lofton's follow-up meeting on Wednesday. Trey responded to each of the allegations made earlier that day by Chris Carroll, introducing documents and citing evidence which refuted his claims. He was not mentioned in The Gamecock. Not once. The Gamecock willfully ignored Trey. It seems odd a publication so offended by Monday's closed meetings would then misinform their readers by withholding information that may have been deemed embarrassing to their director. The same thing occurred Thursday. A Gamecock reporter was present for the repeated questioning of Kerry Mitchell and Eric Greenwood. Both responded to specific allegations. Friday's cover story had one uncontroversial statement from Eric in it; oddly enough, their responses were not deemed newsworthy. My question to you is this: ffyoii truly believe that" each side needs to be heard in a public forum so all the facts can be weighed and a decision be made," then why have you not bothered to report both siHps? T lrnnw it mnv tnlrp n rprtain amount of courage and integrity to report facts which expose the unethical actions of the director of Student Media, but any journalist worthy of the title would have developed these virtues long ago. From the beginning of this debacle, we have been the ones who have made our actions public record^, we have conducted press conferences, prepared releases and cooperated fully with all media. For you to imply otherwise is reprehensible and reeks of willful manipulation to report the facts. Please do so. Michael McLeJIan English senior W... / LC/ LLC 5^9?1 egrand kemace d on the first floor 5 Russell House >m until 9:00pm 1?n* (SZnu ^ame c/xn ^(^adiOswAa ^tUuasu ^Ja/xd batata ^/wicA u/uca \eaa/tp ^2)cAtt*k sPatio the Patterson House Buffet for one low price! m until 7:00pm u/tcwA ($teaA ipeaul Ofyuryi ffiute/Iim Ae Jy&tne/ (~(5avi ^^aa/^lcuaei dipped i&>2alaeA ua 'Jtp Q)e4&U &$ai i+d