2 Opinion
Thursday, February 21, 1991
The Battalion
Opinion Page Editor
Jennifer Jeffus 845-33
YJe're in this world together
Learn to respect other
people's viewpoints
R
recently, it seems that one of
the hottest topics on the Opinion Page
has been the tolerance (or from some
points of view, intolerance) of other
opinions, ideas or even other people.
This is a broad issue, as it deals with
interpersonal relations of all kinds.
The most obvious displays of
intolerance appeared on Feb. 4 (B. Jon
Traylor) and Feb. 7 (Robert Low).
These gentlemen suggested that all
those who hold opposing views should
leave. Moreover, this topic deals with
interracial relations, as in the questions
raised about the relevance of Black
History Month.
There is something everyone should
know about this issue: Step back, be
quiet, listen and learn.
I don't think the racial issue is simply
prejudice. The root of the problem is
much deeper than "who is different"
and "who is like me." My prejudices
are the result of my own ignorance
and, more importantly, my attitude
toward that ignorance.
Obviously, I attend this University to
try to replace some of that ignorance
with insight and knowledge. For the
most part, I am quite open to that kind
of learning.
Academics are definitely an
important part of my life here at Texas
A&M. If I have a "bad attitude" about
academics, the direct result is a poor
GPA. However, there is much more
learning to do to overcome ignorance
(and prejudice) than studying
textbooks.
Like myself, I would guess that
many readers don't know the first
thing about any one of the many
cultures and peoples represented here
at A&M. For the most part, I too have
not been open to these "other" people.
Although I have never outwardly
shown any blatant contempt for a
member of another ethnic group, I
have developed an attitude toward
those "others,"
I often have been annoyed with
people who weren't more like myself.
The way I saw it, if they were going to
reside in this country and go to this
University, they should adapt to my
way of life. There is something very
wrong with this frame of mind.
I was comfortable with this kind of
attitude because it is so prevalent
around here. It is too easy to remain
static in my own little world and be
unaffected by the diversity around me.
Besides, this is my country and my
University; there are more people like
me than all those minorities. We are
right, and they should adjust to us,
right? WRONG!
Not only do I annoy and insult
peoples of different backgrounds by
showing my intolerance, I do myself a
great injustice. These people are every
bit as vital to our society as those who
share my background. I could stand to
learn from everyone I meet. I must be
open to that, otherwise, I perpetuate
my ignorance and manifest prejudice.
What brought on this revelation, you
ask. Why change? I was fortunate
enough to attend a retreat for new and
old members of MSC Hospitality.
The first thing I noticed about this
organization was the diversity of its
members. I thought I'd never find a
place for me there. I was so wrong. I
could be myself and allow others to be
themselves without regard to where
they were from or what they believed. I
learned a great deal in one weekend
(and I didn't even bring a textbook).
The greatest impact occurred when
Mr. Kevin Buchman spoke about
M. Tobey
Hayes
Reader’s Opinion
"multicultural diversity" at the retreat.
He mentioned many valuable points
regarding the subject of acceptance and
tolerance of other people.
I feel the most important point was
that we need a change of attitude: We
need to experience each other's
cultures and be willing to learn from
each other.
This does not mean we should
conform to all these different people.
We should maintain our own identity,
but develop that identity by learning
about and experiencing other ways of
life.
Let us take it a step further. Let's try
to adjust our general outlook. How
does this sound: Step out of the I/me
attitude and adopt the we/us frame of
mind.
We are all in this world together. We
can make the best of it by listening to
one another and learning from one
another. We don't have to like what
someone else is saying or doing, we
just have to accept it as the VALID (and
valuable) opinion of someone other
than ourselves.
Thus, we would hear much less of "if
you don't believe this, you don't
belong here" and "if you don't support
that, then you're not an Aggie — go to
t.u." I have never discovered a certain
code of beliefs or doctrine that
determines my Aggieness. I certainly
hope that one does not exist.
So, even the bonfire protesters are
Aggies. I don't agree with their point of
view (although they have some valid
points), but I respect their right to their
opinion.
Even the war protesters are Aggies
(and Americans). I don't agree with
them for the most part, but it is
ridiculous to suggest that they leave
the University (or the state, or the
country, or the planet...). This kind of
suggestion displays a very narrow
minded attitude. We need to avoid this
"tunnel vision" at all costs.
The beauty of being an American is
the fact that we can be ourselves, speak
our mind and live in freedom without
someone else dictating our thoughts
and actions. Enjoy it and learn from it.
It's worth it!
I have certainly learned a lot from the
retreat. I owe most of it to the "real"
people of MSC Hospitality and the
genuine attitude of Buchman. I thank
both wholeheartedly. God bless you
all.
I will close by paraphrasing a
wonderful analogy that Buchman
presented this weekend. He delivered
the "tossed salad" theory of society.
According to this theory, we all
represent the ingredients of the salad:
the lettuce, the tomato, the onions, the
peppers, etc. Each of us comes together
to form a whole and complete entity
(the salad), and yet we all retain our
individual identity and flavor. Every
individual is vital to the whole.
Think about it...
E Pluribus Unum — One out of
many.
M. Tobey Hayes is a biomedical science
major.
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Don't believe all you hear
EDITOR:
The United States of America is at war. But what is the
definition of war?
Our government has deployed troops, ships, planes
and everything else in a country neighboring another
country which has invaded and now occupies a third little
country which borders both.
For 26 days, our planes have delivered a number of air
strikes (so high that it is hard for me to comprehend) while
the occupying troops take cover.
Again, I am not against our actions nor am I justifyir;
Iraq's. However, I must insist that this war be put into pi' :
spective before I can jump onto this emotional bandwagc
and justify the loss of life and physical destruction by©
ating this Hussein monster.
I don't like him, and I thank God I'm on the other siij
of the world.
But he is the same man that we supported to a certi
extent in his fight against Iran. And it didn't really matt:
how many thousands of people died then.
Before the war, Iraq was said to have had the fourth ar-
gest military machine in the world, but could not defeat
their neighbor to the north, who they had been fighting
with for eight years while we condoned it.
But now things have changed.
Suddenly, the leader of the invading country is the re
incarnation of Adolph Hitler, looks kind of like Joseph Sta
lin — if you stare at his picture long enough — and is insa
nely trying to take over the world.
But is it realistic to think that a man would suddenly go
insane last August and seek out democracy with the inten
tion of rape and pillage?
Then why is it so shocking that he would use his mili
tary machine, paid for in part with our oil consumption, to
invade a rich little country which lies between himself and
the Persian Gulf?
Weren't the borders created by the British and French
after World War II? How sacred do the people in that re
gion think those boundaries are?
He has been there for a long time, ruling the same ruth
less way that we now have realized. But now things have
changed.
I hope he gives up soon and no more people die, t)|
cause when we are through there, there are a few moi
people who need liberating.
Blind faith is dangerous. Study the history and cult
of the region and don't believe everything you hear.
Derek Ryter
graduate student
Flowers of peace
EDITOR:
On Monday night, Feb. 19, University Police detains
Hugh Stearns, owner of Front Porch Cafe, for the "crimini
mischief" of placing at the MSC a flower wreath in f
shape of a peace sign.
In this act, the police have exhibited precisely that tei
dency of human beings which leads to war, and all simill
horrors.
The world oil market, which has repercussions in this
country, has been threatened. Some insist that this war is
not over oil, but why do we complain so loudly that Japan
does not pay their fair share of this war; the justification of
which is that they import a higher percentage of their oil
from that region than we do?
I'm not totally opposed to this deployment of troops,
etc. But it scares me to see people so influenced by emotion
in the form of nationalism and patriotism.
Our service people have their lives on the line, and this
war has been set up for us all too well.
Had the wreath not been made in the shape of a peafi
symbol, but was in a circle of yellow flowers, I wonder:
police would have still called it criminal mischief and hand
cuffed Stearns.
Granted, we are (or as some would say, "were") a mil
tary school, but does it warrant the University Police tobf
have in such a fashion?
Freedom is a word, but beyond it is an attitude, a 1
style, a certain deep and non-negotiable respect for <
science.
We have been shown a brutal dictator who- looks very
arrogant and oozes with machismo. He has invaded and
brutalized a helpless, innocent little country and is looking
for more.
We have joined together with the rest of the world in an
alliance in order to liberate this little country and protect
others from the same fate.
And furthermore, he and his poorly trained envoys
have looked awkward but stood firmly to their position
when we insisted that they back off.
Somewhere in this freedom lie seeds of peace and seei
of destruction. The choice is ours: Charr the innocentdvi-i
ians, bomb nuclear reactors, fill the oceans with oil spills
be international 911; OR listen to the screams of a:
from Boston who, in his freedom, charred himself to deat
or to the innocent Steams.
May both the yellow ribbons and the peace sign brinjl
peace to those who survive. May those who die someda
forgive the species to which they too belonged and save t
from ourselves.
May we hear the silent screams of yellow ribbons <
flowers of peace.
Dharam V. Ahuwalia
graduate student
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