The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, September 17, 2001, Page 9, Image 9
IN YOUR OPINION
i ■ . i , , “I
Hatred tor others
weakens nation
I would like to address the
rash of racial tension now
rearing its ugly head in our
nation, our state and in our
Carolina community. While I
understand why people are
angry, saddened, upset,
frustrated and downright
bloodthirsty, we have to
remember that we are a
nation built on diversity. We
seek to build diversity in our
community, and for good
reason. We learn from other
cultures, experiences, and
ideas. The more we know, the
better we are as individuals
and as a society.
While we strive for
politeness and the entitlement
of everyone to their own
opinion, it is time to say
enough! It is time for us to
stand up in the face of racism
and hatred to say that it is not
OK to hate others based on the
simple fact that they look, act,
think, worship and/or speak
differently than ourselves. It
is NOT OK to hate Blacks,
Whites, Asians, Arabs,
Christians, Jews, Muslims or
Buddhists. It is NOT OK to
hate ANYONE for reasons of
identity!
Hate is the very seed of
what happened in New York
and Washington, D. C. These
terrorists and the remaining
ones around the world hate
Americans for reasons based
on our identity and its
influence and contagiousness
around the world. The whole
purpose behind this terrorist
attack is to cause division, for
us to hate their ethnic group
even more, for us to attack
them, to act horribly toward
them so that they have even
more reason to carry out
further acts of violence. We
cannot give in if we hope for
peace.
We must embrace the
differences between us. Do we
hate ourselves because
Timothy McVeigh killed 168
Americans? No. Hating,
attacking, and violating the
Arabs and Muslims in our
country ana our community
only weakens us. It fractures
and divides us. We gain
strength in our unity.
Abraham Lincoln said, “A
house divided against itself
cannot stand... ” They love
this country for the same
reasons that all Americans do.
They left their respective
countries to live freely, safely
and prosperously.
In a world that seems to
continuously fracture into
smaller and smaller groups
over differences in identity,
let us be original and remain
united. Let us draw strength
from’that. Let us be bold. Let
us be true leaders. Let us stop
our hate and our division
before it starts. In that, we
will be indestructible and
indivisible, no matter how
many buildings fall.
JENIFER FREEMAN
use GRADUATE STUDENT IN
STUDENT PERSONNEL SERVICES
Student thankful
for sensitivity
I felt the need to thank you
for your sensitivity toward
the international and Muslim
students here. Your editorial
was poignant and relieving.
Your article was an answer to
our prayers. I still feel a little
afraid while on campus, but
your hard work and
consideration in urging us not
to unjustly place blame have
definitely reduced my fears.
Thank you for revitalizing my
inner hope and belief in the
phrase, “One nation, under
God, indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all.”
SHEIMA SALAM
THIRD-YEAR STUDENT IN HONORS
COLLEGE; VICE PRESIDENT,
MUSLIM STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
Display flag in
appropriate way
As a student of this
university and a citizen of this
great country, I have been
moved by the tremendous
support and patriotism
everyone has shown for the
victims ana tnis country, i
think it is wonderful that
stores are selling out of
American flags and that
people are eagerly displaying
them. However, there are
proper and improper ways to
display the flag of this great
nation. Here are a few rules
for displaying the flag: When
the flag of the United States of
America is being displayed
vertically against a wall, the
union or blue field should be
to the observer’s left. The flag
should never touch anything
beneath it, such as the
ground, water or the floor.
The flag should never be
fastened, displayed, used or
stored in such a manner as to
permit it to be easily torn,
soiled or damaged in any way.
I hope these tips help, and I
encourage everyone to keep
displaying their flags for a
long time to come.
BRIAN PHILLIPS
FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT, COLLEGE
OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Reader agrees with
paper’s stance
I agree wholeheartedly
with your sentiments
concerning the football game
and the fact classes were held
on Wednesday.
I teach fifth grade at Camp
Lejeune, North Carolina, the
largest Marine Corps base on
the east coast. On Tuesday,
teachers ducked into the
library trying to catch
snatches of the news as we
had a few free moments
throughout the day. Our
classes were not called off for
Wednesday, only delayed by
two hours. That was because
the MPs were checking each
car as it entered the base. We
were told to “operate as
usual.” That was a great
policy for our students, but we
as adults (many from New
England) wanted to stay glued
to the TV or on the phone
trying to reach friends and
families.
Several military bases shut
down completely. Our
commanding General decided
against this. Each leader had
to make a decision how to
handle this matter. No matter
what choices were made, not
everyone would have been
happy!
So the administration made
a poor call — what else is new?
Without that, your newspaper
wouldn’t have any causes to
take up and write about! You
have that great freedom in the
USA to do that — they can
screw up; you can complain in
public!
Concerning the football
game: it was my impression
Bowling Green had all
intentions of traveling to
South Carolina as long as they
could get on the plane! They
had not taken up a moral issue
concerning the game! In fact, I
think it was your news that
reported Bowling Green would
travel if flights were resumed.
So don’t go off on USC football;
Bowling Green was willing to
play! Maybe their student
body rose up and complained,
but Wednesday they were
willing to travel and play
football this weekend.
I am glad the game has been
postponed. It is the right thing
to do concerning this past
weekend. I don’t think we
need to pretend this tragic
event has not happened.
DIANE K. PINA
B.S. DEGREE ELEMENTARY
EDUCATION FROM USC. 1979
Editor’s note: USC offered to fly
Bowling Green to Columbia on
a charter flight, but the team
refused.
Support lifts
spirits, gives hope
As a transfer student from
New York, I was perhaps hit a
little harder than most other
students by the horrific events
of Tuesday. On Wednesday, I
and many of my fellow
students in the Athletic
Training program rushed
down to the Red Cross to
volunteer and give blood.
What I saw there was
absolutely amazing, people
filled the lobby, lined the halls
and were even sitting outside.
All of them were waiting to
give blood or to volunteer.
When I asked one gentleman
how long he had been waiting
to donate, he replied, “I’ve
been sitting here four hours,
but I’m not going home until
I’ve given what I can.”
Everyone there had been
waiting for quite some time, v
and nobody minded in the
slightest. This truly lifited my
spirits and gave me.some hope.
The amount of support
pouring forth from the USC
community and the citizens of
South Carolina is tremendous.
I have spoken with a few other
people from New York and
New Jersey, and we are all
amazed by this show of
solidarity. We appreciate it
more than we can ever
express.
PETER FATH
THIRD-YEAR STUDENT. COLLEGE OF
EDUCATION
Administration’s
actions insensitive
I would like to express my
disappointment with the
university administration in
the way they handled the
events on Tuesday. In my
opinion, it was very
insensitive for them to keep
students in classes. I
personally spoke with
students who were directly
affected by the tragic events
and tnose not lmmediatly
connected to the events who were
in a state of shock; both groups
were unable to focus on their
classy/ork. By not canceling
classes on Tuesday, at legist, and
Wednesday, the administration
showed a lack of concern for the
needs of the student body, and a
lack of respect for the students,
faculty and staff who were
waiting for the phone to ring
with news of missing loved ones.
Also, because classes were not
cancelled, students who wanted
to help in any way with the relief
effort were unable to do so
because they were required to be
in class.
In the future, I jvould like to
think the administration will
follow the lead of the other
schools in the area and cancel
classes so that all persons
associated with the University
can do what they need to do in
order to deal with the events as
they unfold.
LEANNE FRALEY
FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT, COLLEGE OF
LIBERAL ARTS
Submission Policy
Letters to the editor or guest columns
are welcome from the Carolina
community. Letters should be 250-300
words.'Guest columns should be about
600 words. Both must include name,
phone number, professional title or year
and major, if a student. Deliver
handwritten submissions to Russell
House room 333, or send e-mail to
gamecockviewpoints@hotmail.com.
The Gamecock reserves the right to
edit for libel, style and space.
Anonymous letters will not be
published. Photos are required for
guest columnists and can be provided
by the submitter. Call 777-7726 for
more information.
Miani
There will be
vengeance
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
and according to the NATO
agreement, an attack oh one is
an attack on all. Maybe you
should have thought about
that.
I hope you spineless
bastards can see how
Americans are banding
together and helping one
another. You have just made
•us stronger.
In closing, I would just like
to extend my deepest
sympathies to the families
and friends of those killed by
these' vicious attacks against
us. Worry not, there will be
vengeance. God bless you.
CAROLINIAN CREED WEEK
2001
ESSAY CONTEST
Prizes include:
$500
USC/UF Football tickets
Various other prizes
Compose an essay of 500 words on how this
quote relates to the Carolinian Creed and to
USC students:
"His father had raised him to believe that nothing
could be superior to the good instincts: honor,
courtesy, courage."
— F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tender is the Night
Please turn essays in to the Office of Student Judicial Programs at
900 Assembly Street, Suite 103 by Monday, September 24th.
Sponsored by WEB Laundry Service and the USC Athletic Department in conjunction
with University Housing and the Office of Student Judicial Programs.
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