Letters and Emails
Criticisms of U.S. vital for change
WHEN I READ Justin Manger's "Naïve Liberalism" in the Feb. 6 issue of The Santa Clara, my first reaction was anger. But anger causes more fury and separation. People see something or someone that is different from them and are quick to judge. It is important to voice our opinions, but we must remember to respect others. It is simply not true that all of the liberals and activists come from wealth (me, for example). And who says that wealthy students cannot care about the worlds' problems?
As privileged students, we have the responsibility, time and energy to research important issues. Many of the student activists have developed world perspectives after traveling abroad, which often provokes criticism of the United States. The freedom to speak out against our government is one of the most important rights of our democracy. Manger implied that people who disagree with the government should leave, but running away doesn't solve problems. Staying here can raise consciousness, so we can seek solutions while learning from the past.
The fact that humans are still suffering does not mean that we should become apathetic. No one on this campus claims to have solutions to the world's problems - perhaps caring and being conscious of them is the first step.
Stephanie Camoroda, political science/sociology, '05
Faulty reporting misrepresents MCC
I FEEL THAT some of the things Kristina Stolebarger said in her article "GALA hopes to find home in MCC" are invalid, most of which appeared to be her own opinions and generalizations. For instance, she wrote that some individuals in the MCC fear losing space and felt disbelief that the two groups can meet on common ground when no one was really quoted saying this. Later, she went on to say that "many members of the MCC have conservative viewpoints about sexuality," when only one perspective was stated. This led me to wonder if she really did sufficient reporting.
As a reporter, she has a responsibility to be objective and make sure that she is not writing her own biased perspectives, but those of the people actually involved in this matter.
Christopher Lanzon, mechanical engineering '04
MCC acknowledges gay students
THE ARTICLE FEATURED in last week's paper, "GALA Hopes to Find Home in the MCC," does not reflect the diverse opinions of members of the MCC. There are some members who would like to see GALA gain residency in the MCC and there are others who would not. For the most part, the majority feels they do not have adequate information to make an informed decision.
The article stated "the fight for sponsorship has elicited only conflict thus far." This is a complete fallacy. As opposed to creating conflict, the discussion of GALA joining the MCC has actually stimulated much discussion regarding oppression in general.
The university community must understand that the MCC does not have direct control of the outcome of the re-chartering process. Although the members of the MCC are allowed to give their input to the re-chartering committee, the ultimate decision is not ours to make.
There are MCC members who are not heterosexual. This is a reality and clubs do not deny that homosexuality is a vital element of many cultures. One's sexuality and one's culture both equally influence one's identity.
Kendra Boyd, political science/ethnic studies, '03
Manuel Pérez, communications/ethnic studies, '04
Michele Kurihara, political science/ethnic studies, '03