West, Islamic world need perspective
Those who have learned history from the point of view of the West would likely
be surprised if they read Amin Maalouf’s book, “The Crusades Through Arab
Eyes.” While the English word “crusade” means an enterprise filled with high
ideals and heroic deeds, the people living in the countries that represented the
military objectives of the crusaders saw the Crusades as foreign invasions to be
repulsed as quickly as possible.
The long history of strife between Christianity and Islam has created two
conflicting collective memories. Past confrontations have produced the two
communities of “Islam” and “the West” and have caused the West to view Islam
as a source of antagonism. Muslims are aware of the decline of the Islamic
world since the Renaissance. Looking at the world from the exact opposite
perspective, Muslims feel themselves under attack from the West; there is a
sense from both camps of being under siege (see Graham E. Fuller and Ian O.
Lesser, “A Sense of Siege”).
The opposite sides have an ignorance about the experience and perspectives
of the other camp. A solution to conflict not based simply on superior force
requires people to use empathy and imagination in an attempt to figure out how
their antagonists see things. Everything depends on your point of view.
Milton Takei
Master’s degree, Class of ’92
Eugene
Emerald should show respect for Springfield
It was with sad amazement that I read the Emerald editorial, “Eugene healing
needs to begin” (ODE, 10/01). What were you thinking?
Painting Springfield residents as low-class folks who spend their time driving
around in pick-up trucks with monster wheels undermines any message of
healing. At a time when community, in the broadest sense, is so important to all
of us, cheap shots, ridicule and misinformation are unacceptable. We must all
work harder to find common ground, bring our hearts and minds into our efforts
and resist the temptation to label anyone as “less than” or “other.”
For the record, students, faculty, staff and administrators who call Springfield
home contribute daily to the success of the University. They teach and attend
classes, participate in our governance, plan, attend programs and solve a
myriad of problems on behalf of our community. They work across our entire
campus — in our buildings, academic departments, residence halls and, yes, in
Johnson Hall and the EMU. They are an integral part of the teamwork keeping
our campus warm, welcoming and working.
There is no “shame” in being born in Springfield. Can you understand the
damage that such a remark causes? Does it not occur to you that in making
such statements it is your integrity and credibility that suffers?
The University of Oregon is a state institution, not a city college. Our local home
is the Eugene/Springfield metropolitan region. The city leadership of Springfield
is a valued partner as we strategize and work with other public entities to solve
problems around local, state and federal issues, public safety, economic
development, diversity, transportation and more.
The University community works hard to provide a safe, inclusive, respectful
environment for everyone; we expect and deserve more from our campus
journalists.
Jan Oliver
associate vice president for institutional affairs
University of Oregon
Tips for cyclists
Cyclists new to Eugene shouldn’t have to learn the following the hard way (by
accident!):
* Bike lanes are one-way
* Sidewalk cyclists yield to everyone else
* Trust no driver — consider yourself invisible, night and day
* Hang up your “cellys,” snuff out your “ciggys,” keep your hands near the
brakes.
Go play in traffic!
Gary Trendler
junior
art
