Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 18, 1989)
Page 2 The Battalion Wednesday, January 18,1989 inion A8cM represented at inauguration When George Bush officially becomes president at his inauguration Friday, the Aggie Band, Parson’s Mounted Cavalry and the Ross Volunteers will be there, representing Texas A&M University. We recognize what an honor and priv ilege it is for these groups to be invited to the inauguration, and we are proud to have A&M represented at the ceremony. The Battalion Editorial Board Green is my favorite coloi I he scene is two months from now, one week before spring break and the most prestigious of the holidays, St. Pat- ri(k s Day. I am in my room, talking with my roommate about the injustice being served to Irish people by Texas ASM University. ' Pat I say, “I can’t believe that A&M isn't recognizing St. Patrick’s Day. They should give us a day off from school to recognize the plight of Irish people ev- er\ where.” Timothy F. Doolen Columnist Two weeks later the Battalion ran story on the boycott. Timm Doolen, in collaboration it, the Irish Tribe, boycotted all Universi facilities on March 1 7 in honor of Patrick's Day. Doolen says it was a sc prisingly overwhelming success. Mail Call Racism is not abundant EDITOR: To be sure, racism is a problem that is still with us. And it is probabh still a larger problem than many of us would like to admit. To sav that it is "still abundant” is certainly an overstatement. As evidence, look at t he rise of blacks and other minorities to high positions in industry and government, or the burgeoning black middle class. Look at the recent presidential election. When a black man can almost win a presidential nomination, that does not indicate “abundant” racism. As far as a boycott, we don’t shut the country down for George Washington’s birthday, or Abraham Lincoln’s. Mr. Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and kept a country at war with itself united. Mr. Washington was our first President, and one of this country’s founders (and please, I don’t need to be reminded that Washington owned slaves). I don’t feel Mr. King deserves to be honored more than these two men. Finally, the Tawana Brawley case does indicate that racism is still around, but that it’s victims are not always black, and its perpetrators not always white. The Brawley case is an attempt to frame four white men for committing a crime against a black girl, a crime that all the evidence indicates never happened. This is nothing but grandstanding by an attorney who should be disbarred, and a minister who cannot have the love of God in his heart and yet act in the manner that he has. Howard Beach was an atrocity, the perpetrators of which should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. And whether or not Air. King deserves this holiday, I cannot imagine that he would want to be associated with the Tawana Brawley case. To do so is a dishonor and disservice to the victims of Howard Beach and to Martin Luther King. Joe Dan Shelton "I agree with you two-hundred per cent, I imm,” says Pat Nolan, my Irish roommate. Then Pat takes a brief look at the cal endar. “Hey Timm, it turns out we do get St. Patrick’s Day off. It’s during spring break.” "I know that! That ‘coincidence’ is an obv ious attempt by the University to to tally ignore St. Patrick’s Day and along with it the suffering of millions of Irish people.” “Uh Timm, are they really suffe ring?” my roommate asks. “Yes, in Northern Ireland, especially, and even right here in our own United States!” “What exactly is happening in North ern Ireland?” “Well, the Irish Catholics are being repressed by those damn British Protes tants!” Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words in length. The editorial sJaff reserves the right to edit letters for style and length, but will make every effort to maintain the author's intent. Each letter must be signed and must include the lassification, address and telephone number of the writer. “Fair enough, but what’s happening right here in the U.S.” “Well, Pat, Irish people are discrimi nated against all over the country in communities, shops, and religious pla ces.” “Gee, I didn’t know that, Timm.” “Let’s face it, it’s a reality. So in re sponse to the University’s choice to not officially recognize St. Patrick’s Day, I think we should boycott the University.” At that point my Irish friend Thomas McBurnett walks in. “Nice shirt, Timm.” I am wearing my FBI (Full Blooded Irish) sweatshirt. “Pat and I are going to boycott A&M on St. Patrick’s Day,” I say, “because the University is totally ignoring the holi day.” “Good idea, you can probably get support from the Irish fribe,” Tom says. “By the way, why exactly do we cel ebrate St. Patrick’s Day?” “Wasn’t St. Patrick the patron saint of quality footwear?” Pat asks. “I thought he was the patron saint of alcohol,” says Tom. “No, all Irishmen could be consid ered that,” I remark. “The reason we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is because on that day, hundreds of years ago, the great St. Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland, or something like that.” “Wasn’t that the plot of that Pied Piper story?” asks Pat. “Look,” I say, “don’t concern your selves with the details, the point is that the University is acting blatantly racist when it ignores a holiday such as this.” Soon after the conversation, I write a letter that is printed in the next issue of The Battalion: One way to combat the rising anti-Ir ish sentiment is to think about the great leader St. Patrick on the day given his name. However, Texas A&M has made remembrance impossible by ignoring the holiday and insisting we have spring break. In protest, I urge students and fac ulty to boycott all University facilities. Don’t buy books or food from the Uni versity, and don’t go to class. Instead, remember a great man s life and his bat tle for the freedom of all Irish people. “Nintey-nine percent of the studei complied with the boycott and even show their face on campus. Aoi single undergraduate attended cfe which is slightly below normal level: Doolen announced. The boycott apparently went mm better than a similar boycott held in f uary on Martin Luther King Jr.’s c served birthday by another organii don. During the same week of spri break, the shanty erected by Studen Tor Irish People met with little sum: soon being vandalized and torn don Phrases like “Death to the Pope,”‘In go home” and “Bite me Notre Di were spray painted on the green shad “The shanty probably wasn't such good idea, but overall the boycott net well, ” Doolen commented. Whe.ii it was pointed out that thebot cott took place during spring breal when no classes were being held, Dm len refused to comment further. Then I woke up as mv alarm wei off. “Timm, what were you mumblin about in your sleep?” Pat asks. “I had this crazy dream that boyco ting the University on St. Patrick’s Di would make people become more awai of the holiday.” “What a silly idea.” “Yeah.” Timm Doolen is a sophomore con puter science major and a column! for The Battalion. Aggies need to work together to stop racism Monday evening I attended a cere mony for the late civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the program consisted of speeches by mem bers of the fraternity as well as a rousing speech by a visting member of the fra ternity. tion of ethnic backgrounds at the Dr. Martin Luther King ceremony? The program was well put together, and it was done in grand fashion. Alpha Phi Alpha deserves quite a congratula tions on the ceremony. Why are the majority of janitorial workers black or Hispanic? Why doesn't A&M’s radio station program black or Hispanic music? Why, and I know, therefore I speak, aren’t there more blacks or Hispanics on the Battalion staff? The answers to these question lie in the fact that Texas A&AI is f ull of rac- J. Frank Hernandez Guest Columnist the students, there would be no Univer sity. But as I sat in the audience, I realized something that greatly disturbed me. I, to the best of my knowledge, was the only person in the audience that was not black. The time has come for Texas A&M to admit that which it refuses to. Texas A&M discriminates and shall continue to do so until the students of this Uni versity force this school to change it’s ways. suggesting that all eyes should be turned towards those who are less rep resented on this campus. But I am say ing that if we support Silver Taps and Aggie Muster, let us support Gospelfest and Martin Luther King day. To sup port one and not the other would be dis crimination all over again. I say this to stress the fact that we can make a difference. We can make the changes that we deem necessary. I hope that the student body can and will real ize that it is time to change this Univer sity. If it is not done now, it may never be done. It is time to make a change. change. You may fight, but what is ri; will survive. I pray for you, becauseyo are the ones who have the most angc inside you. Accept yourself and accei others as equals. Now is the time to so. And to the student body, I say tlii We must come together. Things are Surely members of other ethnic back grounds were aware of the ceremony, or at least aware that Monday was the day designated for celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. So why was there not a wider rep resentation of ethnic backgrounds in at tendance? Why were there not more Hispanic, Oriental, and white people? Didn’t Dr. King work for the good of all people, not just blacks? So, knowing this, why weren’t members of other races in attendance? We are the students that pay the money. We are the students that eat the food. We are the students that buy the tickets to the football games, which, ironically, is one place where they do al low minorities to be dominant. The student body has f ailed. The stu dent body has not supported Martin Luther King day. The student body has not upported Cinco de Mayo. The stu dent body has not supported those occa sions that do not represent the majority, and hat is wrong. To those who at this time are not well represented, I say this: Keep strong. Soon this University will be forced to correct this situation. Don’t lose sight of what you desire and what you know is right. You must continue the struggle, for they will continue the fight. right as they stand, and we are theonl ones who can change the situation, viously A&M will not do so on its own The answer to these questions, as I see it, lies in the fact that Texas A&M University is full of racism. We must, as a student body, promote racial equality and demand it from the University. We must support those or ganizations that are working towards a more equal balance: the Black Aware ness Committee, the Committee for the Awareness of Mexican-American Cul ture, and most of all, the Multicultural Services Center. The student body, despite what we may be told by those above us, controls the University. We are the source of money. We are ones who build A&M’s reputation. Never forget that without To those who at this time are well represented, I say this: Consider how it feels to be well represented. Think about the fact that some are not being treated with such respect. Admit that you too must help to achieve equality. Your work is just as important as their’s. To Dr. Martin Luther King, Thank you for what you accomplishet Thank you for what you stood Thank you for raising the light to wher we all could see it. Know that it your sence, the struggle continues, and are doing our best to continue whatyo began. Most of all, thank you for lead ing us that there is only one race — human race. With God’s guidance shall realize this soon. To those who condone such inequali ties, I say this: Realize that it is time to J.Frank Hernandez is a sophomot general studies major and a staff assn tant for The Battalion. What was the last musical group to perform here at A&M with a black or Hispanic sound? Who was the last prominent black or Hispanic leader to speak here at A&M? And once again, why was there not a greater representa It is time for the students of this Uni versity to require that everyone be rep resented equally, not just those with the highest enrollment. Please understand that 1 strongly protest reverse discrimination. 1 am not The Battalion (USPS 045 360) Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference The Battalion Editorial Board Becky Weisenfels, Editor Leslie Guy, Managing Editor Dean Sueltenfuss, Opinion Page Editor Anthony Wilson, City Editor Scot Walker, Wire Editor Drew Leder, News Editor Doug Walker, Sports Editor Jay Janner, Art Director Mary-Lynne Rice, Entertainment Editor Editorial Policy The B.ut.ilion is a non-profit, self-supporting newspa per operated as a coinnmnity service to Texas A&M and Brvan-College Station. Opinions expressed in The Butuilion are those of the editorial board or the author, and do not necessarily rep resent the opinions of Texas A&M administrators, {ac uity or the Board of Regents. t he liullulion also serves as a laboratory newspaper for students in reporting, editing and photographs classes within the Department of Journalism. The Butuilion is published Monday through Friday during Texas A&M regular semesters, except for holiday and examination periods. Mail subscriptions are SI7.44 per semester. S34.62 per school sear and S36.44 per full sear. Advertising rates furnished on request. Our address: the Butuilion. 230 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M L'nisersits. Colltge Station. TX 77B43-1 111. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 7843. POSTMASTF.R: Send address changes to 1 he B.m.il- ion. 21(i Reed McDonald. Texas A&M l niversits. Col lege Station TX 77843-4 111. Ur atterr of te; progr Dean Fal devet need take < tion, Costa “W authe and ulties' don’t when first t facult specti able t “Tl schoo Proje collej> small Fal Murr Univt Ii ii HC Barbt Germ ical w ling r them, In least i said 1 storet count Tf tigati lingr comr that c