|
Letters to the editor
Women need equality
I am writing this in response to Betsy Byma’s article (“Do Women Need NOW? As much as fish need bicycles,” Monday, Nov. 18.)
Affirmative Action is not here to let the unqualified people have any job just so employers can fill quotas, but to stop discrimination of qualified people in the work force. Even though we now have the help of Affirmative Action, women are still being treated unfairly in the work place.
For example, women make 76 cents to every dollar a man makes. Pay consultant E. James Brennan of Working Woman magazine estimates that women will achieve equal pay to men in the year 2050 if present trends continue.
2050, that’s 48 years from now! I agree with Byma when she says that women do not need to be “helped”, but I do believe that everyone should be treated equally and Affirmative Action helps with this.
As for our mothers and grandmothers breaking the glass ceiling by earning the right to vote and participate in the workforce, I have to question that statement. I am not disregarding the hard work that the women in the past have done ot get women’s rights where they are today, but we are far from moving beyond the glass ceiling.
Some examples of this, taken from my Psychology of Women class, are that only 3.8% of the highest-ranking corporate executives are women and 2.7% of the top corporate earners are women. To me, and others who strive for the equality of women and men, this glass ceiling has yet to be “shattered.”
Jina Schaefer
Senior, Recreation/Sports Mgmt.
Response to Justin Byma
Justin,
You're a young writer, so I understand that you may not have fully grasped the way that writing communicates much more than just the words that you put on the page.
In this case, along with communicating your narrow views on war and terrorism, you've also fully communicated your lack of ability to consider, with an open mind, the pro-peace stance on the “War on Iraq.”
There IS a “gray area” in this fight . . . a lot of it. And, you ARE trying to question this protester's patriotism, even if you state that you aren't.
Protesting is patriotic. The values that you are questioning are peace, non-violence and respect for life — none of which are negative values.
I agree that a war on Iraq wouldn't intentionally be against the people of that region, but it would affect them negatively. Weapons raining down from the sky have a tendency to do that.
As far as supporting the terrorists, please don't forget the Bush administration is willing to kill for what they believe in, just like the terrorists. Bush can and has justified killing people for the greater good, which is what a war on Iraq would essentially be in Bush's mind, and I bet the terrorists were thinking the same thing — “If some people have to die for us to continue to live without fear, in the way we want to live, then so be it.”
Being anti-war is not the same as supporting terrorists. So, Justin, if you love peace, if you love your country and you love liberty, put down your gun and pick up a sign. War isn't the answer, a more compasionate foreign policy is.
Jake Rishavy
SCSU Alumnus, 2001
Confederate flag and GLBT to go side by side?
About two weeks ago, I attended one of the Peace Rallies held outside of Atwood near Stewart Hall. Many of the folks that attended the Peace Rally held up NO WAR with Iraq signs. I don’t have a problem with those signs even though I think we should go to war with Iraq.
The problem I did have was that there was a GLBT flag there. I didn't understand how a gay and lesbian flag had anything to do with the war with Iraq. This was not the first time I've seen the GLBT flag at an event ... you might remember it being at the Sept. 11 memorial ceremony we had at SCSU. Keep in mind the U.S. Flag wasnt there for that memorial.
I think the GLBT organization is making a statement by bringing the flag to events where it has no place being. So this is what I’ll do. I'm an African American and I happen to own a “Confederate” or Rebel Flag. The next time I see a GLBT flag at an event I'm going to run back to my dorm, get my Rebel Flag stand on something high so that people will see me and I’ll make my statement.
But some might argue these are two different issues. I disagree. To many the GBLT flag represents sin and immoral practices, but obviously the GLBT doesnt believe that. The same thing goes for the Rebel Flag, some might think it represents slavery, racism and oppression. But I, being an African American do not believe that. I think it represents Southern Heritage and honor to those that died in the Confederacy.
I'm also from the South. So the next time there's a GLBT flag look to the left or to the right ... you'll see me ... A BLACK COLLEGE STUDENT holding my Rebel Flag.
Matt Hayward
Freshman, Education
War is necessary
“You must Wage Peace rather than war.” Mindless drivel! All these peaceniks scream and cry about the innocent civilians that are killed by the sanctions enforced by the “eeevil” United States. Or all the innocent people who will be killed by U.S. warplanes and missiles.
They forget that the sanctions that are in place now aren’t even REALLY enforced
When the U.S. does go to war it is Saddam Hussein who will force civilians, at gun point, to go into the presidential palaces, the chemical and biological factories, and the weapons facilities as human shields. Saddam purposely uses civilians to protect his weapons so if the U.S. does take them out all the peacenik people will moan and complain about the U.S. killing civilians.
People who appose the war are pacifists who never want to fight anyone. These people live in a dream world where everyone loves and wants peace if only the U.S. will be nice to them. If only this were true.
Saddam will only respond to the aggressive use of force. Saddam is responsible for using chemical weapons on his own people and using his people as human shields. He does supply support to the Palestinian terrorists and will use weapons of mass destruction on the U.S. and its allies. We must take the Iraqi dictator (the Butcher of Baghdad) out to save the Iraqi people.
Lucas Leaon
Junior, BCIS
|
|
|
|
|
|
