The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, February 14, 1996, Page 5, Image 5
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