Letters to the editor

Allow Broncos to be fans without constraints

I love Santa Clara, and I love being a Bronco sports fan. When you realize how much history and tradition this school really has, it's hard not to be.

Going to games has always been something I thoroughly enjoy, regardless of the state of the team at the time. Yet over the last four years, I have been continually disappointed and angered by the Athletic Department and Ruff Riders' threats and stipulations dictating how we should be fans.

They threatened the student body to not be admitted to games for not choosing to wear their generic, repetitive and truly boring Ruff Rider shirts when we want to be more creative. They stipulated that we must get the all-inclusive package to get a student ticket to the WCC Tournament, when many can better afford finding their own transportation and lodging with friends. And Ruff Rider President Kit Coyle's e-mail last Thursday mandated attendance to the Portland game in order to attend next Monday's game against St. Mary's, even though many cannot because of conflicts. Athletics and Ruff Riders have repeatedly taken an intimidating and bullying tone attempting to get students to games.

It turns out that Coyle's effort was just scare tactics. The next day she rescinded her claim, saying it was not mandatory to attend the Portland game.

Stop the malarkey. Aren't we above all this? Let students be fans because they want to be, not because they feel obligated.

I applaud Men's Basketball Head Coach Kerry Keating's letter and Chris Furnari's article in the last couple weeks because they sent clear, simple, but powerful messages: Total fan support is not only fun, it can have a tremendous effect on a team's success. And they made their message without guilting or scaring us.

I recommend that the Athletic Department and Ruff Riders take a stance on fan support more in line with them, rather than the negative trend of the last few years.

Because when it comes down to it, having pride and school spirit is a choice from within. If we can't recognize that and come together in enthusiastic support of our teams, it truly is unfortunate, and ultimately the students' loss.

I challenge anyone who was at the Gonzaga game to admit that they didn't have a good time. There is no reason we can't have that every game.

Andrew Engel

Biology '08

Army service isn't humanitarian work

Is it better to support soldiers who have been educated in the three C's as they head off to war than those who did not receive a Jesuit education? I'm not so sure.

In last week's issue, the author of a letter to the editor, "In defense of the ROTC," claims that "the university should be most proud of its soldiers," and that "military service, more so than the humanitarian endeavors of which Santa Clara so often boasts, deserves recognition."

Recognition -- fine then, let's recognize that Santa Clara supports an organization which has been credited with some of the most brutal human rights abuses in Central America, Colombia, Abu Ghraib and Afghanistan. Let's recognize that St. Ignatius was a soldier who faced some of his most desolate moments during times of war. Let's recognize that the Catholic Church still accepts a Just War Theory that makes it morally permissible to kill.

When Santa Clara truly embraces competence, conscience and compassion, can we legitimately support this kind of army?

As the director of SCCAP, an organization involved in humanitarian work, service and social justice issues, an organization which seeks to foster a more humane and just world through immersion into the reality humans face, I cannot allow someone to get away with boasting violence or defense as a praiseworthy act. It is important that I clarify the importance of service when really looking at a community's needs and assets.

While the author may believe that "freedom is purchased not with aid, but steel," I truly believe that freedom is not a commodity one can purchase. As aboriginal female activist Lila Watson teaches those of us who seek to "aid" the marginalized, "If you have come to help me, then you are wasting your time â?¦ but if you are here because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."

It is in this very vulnerable, raw solidarity that we first encounter the human experience that is freedom.

Katy Erker

SCCAP Director

Sociology '08

Genital mutilation not something to celebrate

In reading last week's article, "Balancing Tolerance and Tradition," I was appalled to hear that not only did the author attend a ceremony to "celebrate" the mutilation of a woman, but she had the nerve to tell us that it was "beautiful."

There is nothing beautiful about female genital mutilation, regardless of how flashy some accompanying service might be.

It's also interesting that you use the euphemism "circumcision" instead of calling it what it really is. In case you don't know how horrific FGM is, consider the fact that the male equivalent is cutting off a man's entire penis, leaving behind only the testicles.

If people you cared about were participating, would you attend a lynching accompanied by a "beautiful" ceremony? How about a ritual sacrifice? You may say that you don't support FGM, but your very presence at the celebration solidifies your support. Furthermore, you say that you're deeply "confused" about your beliefs on women's rights. What's there to be confused about? Just say no to FGM. And yes, your voice does matter. Your inability to speak out against this horrific act shows tolerance for one of the most inhumane practices in the world.

Danielle Polk

Computer Engineering '08