The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, April 16, 1970, Image 2

Texas A&M Newspaper Collection

The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, April 16, 1970, Image 2

Newspaper Page Text. ■ . , ■ ': ; • ' THE BATTALION Page 2 College Station, Texas Thursday, April 16, 1970 CADET SLOUCH by Jim Earle F©K SALE “That does it! It’s time to make new tests!” A Senator Speaks Student: Nigger? By Jim Stephenson The American student is a “Nigger”! Ridiculous? I would like to discuss how valid this statement really is. Except for the race minorities, the student is discriminated against as much as any minority in the United States. By calling the student “Nig ger,” I am attempting to point out the servile role that the ma jority of students assume. It is a very similar role to that which many Blacks in the past have as sumed. I would attribute both of these to the system and our so ciety. The educational system in the United States is an inflexible and archaic one. It is built to act upon the student, but not to be acted upon by him. My comments in this article, while directed at the educational system as a whole, will specifi cally deal with the university. The assumption under which most universities operate is that the university is an extension of par ental authority, or in legal terms “in loco parentis.” From this as sumption university administra tors reach the conclusion that it is their obligation to control and discipline the lives of their stu dents in an autocratic manner. Many administrators will tell you that students, as such, have no inherent rights. They only have those which are delegated to them by the all-powerful ad ministration. The part that is sad about this is that for all practical purposes these administrators are entirely correct. Our educational system has reached the conclu sion that college students are in capable of exercising self-disci pline or contributing to the func tioning of a university even though the average age of col lege students is about 24. A vast majority are eligible to vote. A large percentage are married and have families. Many are veter ans of our Armed Forces. It puz zles me that an individual who, I Listen Up the batt forum Editor: I read with great interest Car- roll Punte’s letter in the April 14 issue of The Battalion. Mr. Punte charged that the student group known as “The Fifth Wheel Committee” is filled with unqualified candidates who are brainwashing the student body with “pretty signs and advertise ments.” Mr. Punte also called “The Fifth Wheel Committee” a potential wedge which will drive corps and civilian factions further apart. The same night, I met several “Fifth Wheel” candidates, who were campaigning in my dorm. I was surprised to find these stu dents wholly unlike the impres sion I received from Mr. Punte’s letter. Not only did these stu dents present a formidable array of qualifications, but could also be recognized as those students who have tried to do much for the betterment of A&M, by working for the students, and with the administration. I am in no way affiliated with “The Fifth Wheel” but only a student who sees no “potential wedge”, no “pitifully unqualified candi- according to the standards of our society, is considered an adult, legally and any other way, upon entering this or any other uni versity becomes suddenly inca pable of controlling or directing his life. There is one feature of our ed ucational system above all others that perpetuates this system. That feature is, that for the most part the university does not re quire students to think. Not to think in the sense of being able to recall all those important facts that pour forth from a professor’s lips, but to think in the sense of being able to take in information, consider it in an objective and rational manner, and reach sound, concise conclusions. However, by not requiring students to think, the system has found that it is able to keep students apatheti cally happy. It is so very similar to that old proverbial “Nigger” on the cotton plantation in the “old South.” Students are quite content with their place in life because they know of nothing better. Finally I think that one could attribute the name “Nigger” to today’s student because of the way he is treated in the day to day activities. He is told what to read and what to write in or der to be “educated.” This in it self is not totally undesirable. However, when one is instructed that he must write with a ball point, or fold his paper a certain way, or even that he must have certain margins on his typewrit er, it becomes apparent that the student is no more than the end result of a training process rather than an educated man. As you have read this last paragraph I am sure that you are caught with the amusement of it; however, I would ask each of you to ask yourselves whether it is not true and to stop and think if it is not these small things that force the vast majority of students to as sume a servile role. dates,” nor any massive “brain washing.” I see only a group of highly qualified individuals, represent ing many student factions, whose deeds speak far better than any campaign that could be put to gether. William D. O’Connor Class of ’71 ★ ★ ★ Editor: For the past year in my posi tion of student senate president I have worked very closely with Kent Caperton. As vice-presi dent of the senate, Kent has demonstrated through his diligent work his desire and ability to serve the students of Texas A&M. He has contributed countless hours of work both on the sen ate and in the MSC. His record is indicative of his concern for and interest in the students, the student government and the in stitutions of Texas A&M. He has approached the issues with fairness and determination to see that the student’s voice is heard and listened to. He has, with out a doubt, been one of the key leaders this year, not only in the senate, but in many other areas as well. I. have talked with Kent con cerning his aims and objectives for the coming year, and judg ing on my past experience with him, I hereby endorse Kent Cap erton for student senate presi dent, and encourage you to vote for him next Thursday. Gerald Geistweidt ★ ★ ★ Editor: I would like to reply to Mr. Bill Fisher’s letter which was printed in last Friday’s issue of The Battalion. As you may recall, Mr. Fisher urged students of Texas A&M to participate in a Peace Fast on April 15 by giving contributions (in the amount of the price of meals) to the Ameri can Friends Service, a Quaker organization. He also comments on the Student Senate for re fusing to sanction the proposed fast. I first heard of the American Friends Service about a year or two ago. At that time, they were attempting to send a shipload of medical supplies to North Viet- Cbe Battalion Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the student writers only. The Battalion is a non-tax- supported, non-profit, self-supporting educational enter prise edited and operated by students as a university and community newspaper. MEMBER The Associated Press, Texas Press Association The Associated Collegiate Press Mail subscriptions are $3.50 per semester; $6 per school r full year. All subscriptions subject to 414% LETTERS POLICY ear; $6.50 ales Letters to the editor should be typed, double-spaced, and no more than 300 words in length. They must be signed, although the writer’s name will be withheld by arrangement with the editor. Address correspondence to Listen Up, The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas 77843. Texas 50 per full year. All subscriptions subj . Advertising rate furnished on reques alion. Room 217. Services Building, Col 77843. st. Address: lege Station, rep rod The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use for eduction of all news dispatches credited to it or not rwise credited in the paper and local news of spontaneous otherwise credited in the paper and local news of spontaneou rigin published herein. Rights of republication of all othe latter herein are also reserved. Second-Class postage paid at College Station, Texas. 1969 TPA Award Winner Jim y. S. White, College 01 hingine* College of Veterinary Medicine ; College of Agriculture. ; Ur. a: .nd Dr. Z. L. Carpenter, student newspaper at Texas A&M, is ition, Texas, daily except Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and holiday periods, September through May, and once a week during summer school. The Battalion, published in College Station Represented nationally by National Educational Advertising ices Inc., New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Services. Inc., Francisco. EDITOR DAVE MAYES Managing Editor David Middlebrooke Women’s Editor Cindy Burleson News Editor Pam Troboy Sports Editor Richard Campbell Assistant Sports Editor - Mike Wright Staff Writers Hayden Whitsett, Bob Robinson, Chancy Lewis, Janie Wallace, Fran Haugen, Randy Murdock, Billy Buchanan, Gibril Fadika, Tommy Thompson Sports Writer Clifford Broyles Columnists Roger Miller, Mike McClain Photographers Jim Berry, David Gawthorpe, Mel Miller, Robert Boyd Sports Photographer Mike Wright Professional and Technical Graduates Apply Now Shamrock EMPLOYMENT SERVCE Home Office: Houston, Texas • College Division • North Gate 331 University Dr. 846-3737 A division of ERC nam. The U.S. government said that the action was illegal and that it would give aid and com fort to the enemy. I don’t re member if the ship ever reached North Vietnam or if anyone was arrested. However, I do remem ber that these people were trying to give aid to the enemy and, in all probability, still are. Mr. Fisher said that the con tributions given on April 15 will be used to feed “orphans and widows,” not soldiers. However, I believe that the North Viet namese government will seize the supplies, once they reach North Vietnam, and give them to the enemy soldiers who desperately need them. I am not a warmonger—I want this war to end as soon as pos sible. I am a graduating senior and my II-S deferment runs out in June. Since I’ll be attending graduate school without a defer ment this year, the draft and the war represent real threats to me in the near future. However, I don’t want this war prolonged by anyone sending food and sup plies to the enemy—those people might be shooting at me some day. James Westbrook ’70 ★ ★ ★ Editor: Recently the Young Americans for Freedom benefitted the pa trons of lovely Cafe Sbisa with an anti-draft tract. One of the fallacies used to support their argument was that Americans have always been willing to vol unteer for the Army when faced with a threat from abroad. During the Civil War a draft was used to pull men away from the vastly more profitable fac tory bench, where the first “mili tary-industrial complex” was en joying the feeling of bloated war profits. Both sides, despite the high and holy purposes for which they were fighting, were forced to resort to the draft by the second year of the war. During World War I, the draft was passed by Congress in May of 1917 — the first troops in the European theatre did not arrive until that summer, most of them being National Guard and other Be on the lookout for this enemy agent 002503742118 GORDON RICHARDSON Enemy of financial apathy is what he is. In 15 minutes he can de stroy any old illusions or ster eotypes you have about life insurance. He can show you how it pays to plan now for a protected financial future. He may seem to be just another student but he’s armed with a thorough knowledge of insur ance and he’s trained to use it at will. Don’t be fooled. He’s got a program that’s aimed at you. He can be found in our campus office. Seek him out today. His thing? Security. Gordon B. Richardson Aggie Campus Carreer Life Underwriter Phone 713 — 567-3165 PROVIDENT MUTUAL=Sss LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF PHILADELPHIA PEANUTS weekend warriors. The standing army and called up reservists were barely enough for the non- coms needed for the size of an army big enough to defeat Ger many, yet the nation had three years from the start of hostili ties to volunteer as the YAF would have us do. During World War II, the draft was made law in Septem ber of 1940, more than a year before Pearl Harbor. There and in the Korean War, the draft was necessary to assure enough troops to wage effective war. In none of these wars did enough Americans volunteer to defend their country so that the government did not have to go out and drag its fighting men from the streets of these United States. James E. Zeman, Jr. Attention Freshmen: Vote Gary Reger your Social Secretary 70-71 Capable-Qualified Progressive C3 ArxIT SI—I I PEANUTS WORIPWARI FLVlNS ACE ABOUT TO TAKE OFF FROM AM AEROPROME SOME MERE IN FRANCE.. TOWNSHIRE / BRYAN. TEXAS 77801 COFFEE LOFT (2 Blks. East of Post Office on Univ. Dr.) FESTIVAL OF SHORT FILMS “AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE” (27 mins.) “RUN” (16 mins.) ‘FRIENDLY GAME” (10 mins.) “THE HAT” (18 mins.) FRIDAY, APRIL 17 beginning at 8:00 P. M. I NTERESTED IN AN OVERSEAS CAREER? Dr. Robert L. Gulick will be on the campus Monday, April 20th to discuss qualifications for advanced study at THUNDERBIRD GRADUATE SCHOOL and job opportunities in the field of INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMEN! Interviews may be scheduled it the Placement Office THUNDERBIRD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMEN’ (Formerly: The American Institute for Foreign Trade) P. O. Box 191 Phoenix, Arizona 85001 Affiliated with The American Management Association TAMU TOWN HALL PRESENTS For Civilian Student Week End SMITH plus TONY JOE WHITE G. ROLLIE WHITE COLISEUM SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1970 7:00 P.M. of ■ 3 Fit dis coi stu do< am 1 Sul ocr I the of CA< 846-38 AT Mesa 1 U” x site is $75 A&M Student Activity Card holders and Town Hall season ticket holders admitted FREE. Tickets and information at MSC Student Programs Office 845-4671. TOWN HALL ARTIST SHOWCASE PRESENTS DONALD JOHANOS MUSIC DIRECTOR % 0 G. Rollie White Coliseum Thursday, April 23, 1970 — 8:00 p. m. NO RESERVED SEATS! A&M Student Activity Card holders and Town Hall series ticket holders admitted FREE. Other ticket prices: A&M Student Date $1.00 Other Students $1.00 Faculty, Staff and Patrons $2.00 TICKETS ON SALE AT MSC STUDENT PROGRAM OFFICE. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 845-4671. By Charles M. ScM here's the ^ COME BACK! YOU CANT FLY IN WEATHER LIKE THIS I COME PACK! SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT POOR CHAP/ HE'S OBVIOUSLY HYSTERICAL/ WH and up fill. Wi We Wh 220

Texas A&M Newspaper Collection

Texas A&M Newspaper Collection

The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, April 16, 1970, Image 2

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