ember 19,
out
iriffe
riday • September 19, 1997
O The Battalion
•PINION
slugger’s biograpl
ne hits and hit si
nit I couldn’t
ce,” lie said. “Ini
people in base
me to break
recalled a lumbe
d the bases lot
ark homer, nosii
omeone his size,
safe at home, “wh
it.”
cord was establisi
n exclamation pi
ns in September,
ie close to that pa
t nine in the
he 1961 season
eight-game dry
dm any chance
tuth in 154 gar
major issue at
is dismissed in]
record book
(Vtillennium pioneers
Generation X’ title belittles responsibilities, capabilities of American youth
r
L ike God
thunder
ing down
the Ten Com*
mandments to
Moses, corpo
rate America
as blasted
down their ver
dict ofour gen
eration’s identi
ty, a quick,
simple image
Michelle
Voss
columnist
season is a seal
for McGwire, nl
t between league:
i games with Q
* traded to St.
; he could lead
uners without leai
1 in homers,
t-ifs are everywl
injuries,
broken the home
^ear when he mi
id still hit 52hom
the strike, Gri
broken the recoi
he had 40 homei
is the only
i to have two stm
t least 50 homers
ursday’s gamejusi
x’s two-season
landed batter of
n 1932-33.
rription of whu
home runs is
perfect for our short attention
spans: “X.” The stone tablet?
•Thou shall suffer indigestion
from Taco Bell.
Thou shall watch bubbly-
headed MTV veejays and pointless
dating games.
Thou shall learn to love Mi
crosoft, and think it ever blessed.
Thou shall have a universal
a|j Blockbuster card.
Thou shall be loyal to Nike
sneakers.
Fhou shall drive a compact
foreign car.
•Thou shall drink espresso cof-
McG'J ee malts from Starbucks.
•Thou shall wear Calvin Klein
leans.
•Thou shall amass mountains
DfCDs and jewel cases.
• Oh, yeah, and although we re
ally shouldn’t even be mentioning
this, because we think abstinence
s the best policy, Thou shall not
lave unprotected sex.
From the years 1961 to 1981, 76
million children were born. While
ve were carrying our Star Wars
unch boxes to school and playing
vith Strawberry Shortcake, stuffy
loard-rooms were looking to the
future, deciding how to market a
new consciousness to the up-and-
coming Cyber Cul
ture. After the publica
tion of Douglas Coup
land’s novel, Generation
X, in 1990, high-minded
Harvard graduates began
banking off a catch-phrase,
capitalizing on our supposed
lack of personality.
While we sit around in coffee
houses sipping on lattes, mumbling
in pseujdo-intellectual jargon, we do
not even realize how helpful we are in
fostering the stereotypes of their bil-
lon-dollar- phrase, “Generation X.”
Propagating a modern slavery of
materialism, the media, televi
sion and popular culture whip
masses ol “Xers” into submis
sive consumerism. What
good little sheep we are.
The powers that be
are categorizing and
labeling our identity into a
nice, neat little package that’s
perfect for targeting our blind de
mographic.
Dictating to us that we are part of
this “Generation X’’, the marketing tac
tics of companies lure you into thinking
you will belong to this subgroup of scream
ing chics with tattoos and bad haircuts if
only you purchase cases of Pepsi (Gener
ation Ne’X’t) and Surge (“Feed the
Rush!!. .. You smelly, grungy hor
mone!!”).
Without even realizing it, our
generation is lapping up some
Baby Boomer’s definition of who
we are.
If only people would step
down off their stair master
long enough to realize that
after years of psychother
apy and millions of hot-
ties of Prozac and Ritalin, we “Xers”
have been drugged into a numb
state of passivity and indifference.
Yeah, that’s right, where have all
the flowers gone? Do you naively
buy into the bombastic propaganda
that your life as an “Xer” must be
one endless series of distractions:
computers, television, beer, sex, the
Internet, cars,clothes, beer, sex, out
let malls, movies, beer, sex, et cetera,
and that you must have them?
Our haughty national leaders
have taken it upon themselves to
trap us in an ambiguous political
rhetoric which leaves us wondering
what the heck “X” means.
Where is our Jack Kerouac, Bob
Dylan or Alan Ginsberg? All we have
to show for ourselves are the Spice
Girls and a gangsta rapper by the
name of Puff Daddy.
In other words, who can we point
to and say, yeah, man, I feel that;
you said it.
Rather than defining ourselves,
society has bombarded us with im
ages that supposedly represent our
state of mind: Nintendo, Kurt
Cobain, herbal ecstasy, 90210, Kate
Moss and stovepipe jeans. Is this
you?
By the year 2000, our generation
will comprise 40 percent of the vot
ing public, and we have some seri
ous issues to sort through like porn
on the Internet, AIDS and the bank
ruptcy of social security.
We are the pioneers of a new mil
lennium, and we must begin to
think like leaders. We cannot be
“Xers,” anonymous, with no identity
and oblivious to the beauty of the
future and ourselves.
Michelle Voss is a sophomore
English major.
e to see the ball
he said. “It’snoi
ie hardest thing!
made more coi
chasing hisi
id Griffey are cl
Maris and Mi(
i hit 54 in 1961,1
h. Ruth was chai
f.
unheard of 29 hoi
lore than anyone
Campus involvement
nriches college life
lit 54 and then5i hvariousim-
at. When he hit! !S on T-shirts,
mphantly trotted ne are on the
dugout and chord at and some
0,” he shouted.
s one walks
around
campus
se days their
sare flooded
on the back,
1 -so-break that.’ iut they all carry
1 years before s#essage.
■My favorite
' arts are the
Len
Callaway
columnist
M)S TRADER
UES & COLLECTIBm.
in our store for a
pes that deal with extra-curricular
ivities or student organizations, of
ich one assumes the wearer is a
ticipant. These shirts are the best
ause they give someone an idea of
at the wearer might be involved in
here their interests lie. They help
isplay the diversity of interests
gains Galore!
F 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
•) a.m. - 5 p.m.
days by chance
it., Bryan (409) 11)'
hopping experience jongst the students on our campus.
Bides, it makes people watching
ore fun because now one can make
n of the shirts as well as the people.
[Students should seek out societies
id groups that are interested in or
|tain to the same things as them-
dves. These groups do not necessar-
ihave to be in the field of one’s ma-
pr or even pertain to anything that
■s of previous interest to the indi-
lual. Students should join these or-
liizations to meet new people or
1st to learn about something new.
|At A&M we are fortunate to have
)ffice
ilisch with the Austwh a i ar g e student body, which nat-
p.m. in Rudder Auditor#® jjy demands a diverse and exten-
fast at Tiffany’s Fri, ive collection of student organiza-
Tt 22) Ins. It seems that year in, year out,
vaiiable through Fri, ww two most controversial student
: OPAS and MSC FilniS N anizations are the Cor P S of Cadets
. Id the Greek system. Both groups
S. Call to arrange for specials I, , . ^ ,,
v i broken into numerous smaller
•» ’ hups, but they are both criticized as
pey were each one unit.
The Corps of Cadets and the Greek
Stem as whole entities are both ex-
F* A- r ent or g an i za ti ons and should be
P ■ lognized as such. While it is true
I ^ V at the Corps and fraternities have
pr problems, as separate entities
U iy are extremely successful at
^ lintaining motivation and molding
lure military and civilian leaders.
■Both organizations have been ac-
|sed of harshness in allegations of
ing. Hazing is inexcusable, how-
r, the important thing to remem-
about hazing is that it does not
gest weakness or inappropriate-
jjss in the organization as a whole. It
es, however, prove that the one
lerpetuating the hazing is a mental
ieland
McDonald,
left out!
j
weakling that lacks the intelligence
and capability to properly instruct
and guide a younger member of their
organization. If one continues to
haze because that is the manner in
which he or she was dealt with, then
they lack the ability to become a
leader anyway. These people (Greek
or Corps) are merely weak followers.
On a more positive note, the Corps
of Cadets and the Greek system both
provide avenues for students to grow
and mature while developing person
al communication skills and connec
tions for the future. Both organiza
tions put a high priority on social
experiences and camaraderie.
By joining either one of these orga
nizations, students can expect to ba
sically inherit an entire new crowd of
friends and associates. Obviously, life
in the Corps is absolutely demanding
and completely time consuming, but
the rewards in personal growth can
not be beaten. Not to take away from
the value of the Greek system, but
success in the Corps requires total
dedication and absolute control over
one’s destiny. Fraternities are defi
nitely the easier way to live, but their
list of benefits compares almost ex
actly to that of the Corps.
Both of the previous organizations
are lifestyles, so to speak. They take
large amounts of time each week,
and if not handled properly, can in
terfere with one’s academic pursuits.
There are literally tons of organiza
tions that do not put such a constraint
on students’ time. There are organiza
tions for every sort of activity in which
a student could possibly be interested.
Most organizations are open to
everyone that cares to participate,
but some are restrictive and require
an application process. This type of
organization will have periodic meet
ings and will provide an opportunity
to mix and mingle with current and
former students which could provide
incalculable opportunities for stu
dents in the years to come.
All students should venture out and
make an effort to become involved in
some sort of organization on campus.
The best times in college are the times
spent learning about something new,
getting something accomplished and
networking for opportunities in the fu
ture. If we all expect to succeed in life
then we must begin to take a proactive
role in determining our destinies.
Len Callaway is a junior
journalism major.
College of Liberal Arts deserves respect
Chris
Huffines
columnist
B ack in
Ol’
Army
days, when
real Aggies
were men
wealing
khaki, Texas
A&M Uni
versity was
literally that:
Texas Agri
cultural and
Mechanical
University.
Within the past few years, a
number of new departments and
colleges have been created. Busi
ness, science and liberal arts,
among others, have both been
born and risen to national
prominence in the last several
decades.
And, while many of these col
leges, the College of Business in
particular, have become major
draws for Texas A&M, the over
whelming conception of A&M’s
College of Liberal Arts is not that
it is one of the premier Colleges
within the University.
The College of Liberal Arts
should be recognized as the acad
emic triumph that it is, and
should receive more support from
the University for this reason.
Most students experience the
liberal arts only through that
ponderous behemoth of effi
ciency, the University Core Cur
riculum. Cookie-cutting out
“well-rounded” students, the
core curriculum manages to
forces students through various
classes without ever managing
to incite them to learn.
This includes everything
from 2000-student political sci
ence and history classes to the
much smaller foreign language
classes, all of which are required
for graduation.
One-third of all credit hours
taught at A&M are administered
by the College of Liberal Arts,
according to Dr. Charles John
son, head of the Department of
Political Science.
Our College of Liberal Arts, a
college which did not even exist
30 years ago, now provides more
class hours than any college on
campus, publishes more articles
in academic journals than any
other Liberal Arts college in the
state of Texas, and offers numer
ous international programs,
most notably in Normandy,
France; Lancaster, England; and
at our sister campus in Cas-
tiglion Florentino, Italy.
However, there persists the
impression that liberal arts is not
an effective major for the job
market. This is patently untrue. A
recent Fortune Magazine article
stated that 90 percent of CEO’s of
major companies want critical
thinking skills and 77 percent
want problem-solving skills,
which the liberal arts are unique
ly able to provide, according to
Dr. Linda Putnam, Head of the
Department of Speech Commu
nications. Only 37 percent of
these CEO’s said they thought a
student should learn work skills
while at college. The companies
these CEO’s represent prefer to
train their new employees. This
is directly opposite of what 75
percent of parents and 85 per
cent of their children think.
The reason these skills are so
sought after by business is best
explained by Dr. Woodrow Jones
Jr., Dean of the College of Liberal
Arts. “Liberal arts gives students
the ability to understand a broad
range of issues. Our graduates
are prepared to be productive
members of the workforce be
cause they are adaptable, they
have the background to continue
a life of learning, and they have
the ability to work with others
from various backgrounds.
Jones also said, "The Liberal
arts help students understand
the forces that have shaped the
world’s greatest civilizations.
...They inspire students by re
moving blinders and opening
minds to the world of ideas that
are of enduring importance.”
The college has improved,
but still most students see the
required courses as hurdles to
overcome, not opportunities to
enrich themselves.
As Head of the Philosophy De
partment Dr. Robin Smith said,
more than technical skills are
needed in today’s workplace. The
ability to learn and to think is vi
tally important, as technology
and society progress beyond stu
dents’ current knowledge. Liberal
art’s focus is on those very skills.
However, as Dr. Smith pointed
out, students will not gain these
skills without the proper attitude.
This attitude is what is lacking,
and what the University needs to
assist in providing.
The Liberal Arts are “working
in different spheres, under dif
ferent constraints,” than the
other colleges, as Dr. Larry
Mitchell, Head of the Depart
ment of English stated.
They are meant to compli
ment, not compete with other
classes. Within a student’s mind,
however, there is the rush to get
a degree, to get a job, a mentality
statistics have proven is not
grounded in reality.
Students do not understand
that without the liberal arts,
without the vital communica
tion and thinking skills they pro
vide, students may land a job
immediately with their engi
neering degree, but they will not
climb the corporate ladder.
Chris Hujfines is a
sophomore speech
communications major.
Multiculturalism suggests more than stereotypes
I n spite of greater op
portunities for
cross-cultural,
awareness such as His
panic Heritage Month,
much of our knowl
edge of other groups
on campus does not
extend pass the artifi
cial, superficial or
generic.
This trivialization
of other cultures
stems from sheer in
difference to ideas, values and beliefs differ
ent from our own.
Although Americans pride themselves on
their fair-mindedness and tolerance, the real
ity differs starkly. In fact, dominant culture
prefers to mute ethnic or cultural distinctions
to preserve the idea of being American. It
seems unfortunate that one’s adherence to
his or her own particular set of cultural values
is somehow less American or conventional.
This type of papering over the richness of
culture in America occurs often in education,
politics and society. Cultural legacies are
omitted, ignored or oversimplified to lessen
the burden of understanding and tolerance.
Society also has the tendency to reduce
culture to stereotypes. In line with this idea
African-Americans are athletes, Hispanics are
aliens, and Asian-Americans only study. The
problem with this thinking is that we drape
dumb and insulting superficiality over others,
without attempting to understand the groups
themselves.
It is time to shirk the impulse to gauge and
determine the internal values of a people ex
ternally. Society should strive to scope beyond
facades to understand people for themselves.
A far better approach is to broaden your
thought by understanding the struggle, her
itage and experience of other groups.
With a new willingness to understand
people, we can begin to understand our
selves and how we all fit into the broad patch-
work of humanity.
Obstacles unfortunately remain, such as
our tendency to reduce cultural distinctions
to cuisine, style or mannerisms connected to
a certain group. It seems offensive to reduce
the entire experience of a people to matters
of food and dress.
How does Chinese food enlighten you on
the close bonds of the Asian family? Does
basketball convey the complex nexus be
tween the church and family in African-
American communities?
Clearly not. We must overcome our nar
row view of the unknown to see people as
they really are, not as we perceive them to be
from a safe distance.
Occasionally we must tread outside our
own reality to encounter perspective from
those with a different world view. This new
perspective not only tears down old barriers,
but it enriches us with the knowledge of our
togetherness and uniqueness.
Togetherness, because we establish com
mon ground on which to understand and ap
preciate our distinctive histories and tradi
tions. Uniqueness comes from the realization
that your particular experience, values, and
faith make you unlike no other, yet still apart
of the whole.
The remedy to this dilemma is simple.
Communication beyond the stiff formalities
of everyday interaction is vital. It is amazing
how reciprocity of spoken language can be
stow us with deep insight into who we were,
who we are, and who we are to become.
General Franklin is a junior history major.