Iraq resolution would
become shallow rhetoric
I respect the faculty for their knowledge and their pursuit for action, truth and peace. But all of these pursuits will be set back if they bring the institution into the Iraq debate. I’m afraid that if the resolution passes, the validity of the University and those who fall under the umbrella of the University will be diminished. Why is this the moment the faculty has chosen to come together to speak as one voice?
Why has there not been a position by the University that more aid should be given to the African people, who are being slowly eradicated by the AIDS epidemic that is ravaging that continent? Was there any unity to scold the United Nations and the United States when they sat complacently, watching 400,000 die in Rwanda? Was there any unity of the faculty against America giving China Most-Favored-Nation status? Was there any call for the United Nations to save the million Iraqis who died in the past 12 years because a tyrant blamed sanctions for starvation while he built palace after palace?
Let the faculty and the students on campus rise together with millions across the world going to the street saying ‘not in our name.’ Do not let this just cause of peace erode into political, shallow rhetoric. We need a peaceful resolution as soon as possible. I don’t want to see another Frontline special of a woman being decapitated, her head displayed on a storefront showing that Saddam Hussein loves his people.
Jason Payton
sophomore
economics
“Short” people need
affirmative action
I can certainly agree with Jason Blei’s letter ‘White privilege allows no concern for other races” (ODE, Feb. 12), regarding white privilege. As a person who is below average height — 5-foot-3-inches — who is oppressed by society’s ingrained ideas of tallocratic height supremacy, I understand the need for special programs to create equality and help oppressed groups.
Tall people have privilege in this society that “short” people do not: They’re more respected, aren’t ridiculed on television shows, aren’t judged negatively because of their stature, are not as often victims of imperialist ventures by first world nations and can reach the top shelf.
Given these and other manifestations of sizeist oppression, I ask that the system extend the hand of affirmative action to us to make up for the millennia of oppression that they’ve inflicted on us through their bigotry, dominance and violent ways.
Lucas Szabo
sophomore
political science