Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 1968)
THE DAILY NEBRASKAN MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1958 PAGE 2 ROTC vs. SDS Take a day and walk around; Watch the Nazis run your town. The Mother of Invention SDS, after spending the last two years with one foot in the grave and the other in its mouth, is about to take on ROTC in mortal combat. This should be enough to raise a few eyebrows and perhaps even shake the local military organization to its roots. Chances are, however, that the SDS demonstration scheduled for Tuesday night's basketball game will do little more than cause a few snickers and quite a few boos. SDS vs. ROTC is quintessentially a David and Goliath battle. This time David doesn't even have a slingshot. Even in its presently revitalized state, SDS can claim only 36 members or semi-members. ROTC meanwhile has the backing of the administra tion, the Regents, the Unicameral, the majority of the students and the people of Nebraska. Even those few Nebraskans liberal enough to dislike the idea of ROTC will probably not go along with any SDS attempt to upset the applecart, if for no other reason than the SDS label. THE REVIVAL OF SDS, if indeed it is a revival, is badly needed. SDS can claim much of the credit for waking this campus from a long sleep during their efforts in 1965-66 to revolutionize the campus. Whether or not students agree with SDS, its mere existence on campus will make many students more aware of their own thinking. Recognition of SDS's worth, however, in no way Implies recognition of its power. Both the University and the state are extremely suspcious of the organization, and recent prejudiced articles on SDS appearing in Reader's Digest and on CBS television haven't helped the situation any. ROTC, ON THE OTHER HAND, is viewed as a fine organization which takes ail-American boys and turns them into ail-American soldiers: to most people the ROTC program is probably one of the few good things that can be said for this University. Desptie the unequal nature of the struggle, we are in sympathy with SDS. Though there are many practical reasons for the existence of ROTC on campus, it does not jive academically or con ceptually with the ideals or aims of a University. To anyone concerned with the increasing militarism in this nation, the presence of ROTC organizations in the university is alarming. A recent confrontation with some ROTC members through a speaking engagement . convinced this writer that ROTC and the academic community are indeed strange bedfellows. In a brief question-and-answer session the ROTC members displayed overt racism: "Negroes want everything right now, but they won't work for it," and militaristic at titudes painfully similar to fascism, despite the questioners' insistence on their "open-min-dedness." ROTC should be challenged: but there is little nope that the challenge will bring results. Jack Todd Our man Hoppe . . . I affc jf"rafrv Ira, art and the awful by Arthur Hopjp Howdy there, folks. How y'all? Time for another final chapter of The Real Great Society. With the rootin'-tootin' Jay Family. And starring ol' Elbie Jay, a generous feller who's always willin' to share the good and the bad if'n you don't mind taking the latter. As we join up with ol' Elbie today, he's a-showin the new tenant a feller name of Dick around the place. Elbie: And this here's my bedroom. ItH make a fine little old shrine for you and the kids. And this here's my office. I reckon you won't want to touch a thing. And this here's a portrait of my favorite subject. Dick: I agree with what you said about it. That's the ugliest thing I ever saw. Elbie: (scowling): That was another one, dang it. This one captures the real me. Dick (quickly changing the subject): Well, It must be very painful for you to think of having to move out of this wonderful place. Elbie: Painful? Why, next January 20 is going to be the happiest day of my life. I can't tell you how glad I'll be to forget the awesome burdens and the terrible responsibilities of this man-killing lob. Dick (sympathetically): They must be awful. Elbie: Awful? You've no idea. Oh, how fine itH be to put behind me all these agonizing decisions, th mind-shattering worries, these insoluble pro blems. I tell you, it's too big a Job for one man. Dick (nobly): You're right, my friend. But you can count on me. I stand willing to sacrifice my own peace of mind and share these horrible burdens with you. Elbie (suspiciously): Share? Dick: Yes, for the good of the country, we should work together in these days of transition and show our national unity by not attempting to lamely duck the mutual problems we face. Elbie: (frowning): Did you say, "lame duck"? Dick: And therefore, fully realizing the conse quences, I am prepared to sit by your side in the difficult days ahead and tell you how to run this place. Elbie (wryly): That's right generous of you. I always did believe in sharing things. Dick: I knew you'd feel that way. Now I'll Just sit here at your desk and you can stand at my side and . . . Elbie: Well, now, hold on. I'm all for sharing. But things could get a mite confusing unless we divvy up the burdens fifty-fifty, fair and square. Dick: What did you have in mind? Elbie: Well, for starters, you might Just sign this here statement saying how much you admire my newest strategy in Vee-yet-nam, approve my latest $62 million missile plan and applaud my 27-year program to stop riots in the ghettos. Dick (angrily): You call that sharing? Elbie (innocently): What could be fairer than me making all the agonizing decisions? Vkks And what do I get? Elbie (smiling): You get the terrible responsibilities. Well, tune In again, folks. And meantime, remember what Elbie's ol' granddaddy used to say: "Ue quick to give to your fellow man before fee can give it to you." CnroaJde Features , i n.yvfe,. 'WW l TVar" and lta i- 'i"1iln ifim a.1 a a. "V. .ax ' " ". . . Watch that first step!' Edit OFISLJIS CoMMeinitaF' Euripides Electra Atreus' legend reduced to melodrama by Howard B. Norland The Euripidean version of Electra is remarkably good theater. Concentrating more on situation and stage effects than upon depth of character or cosmic import, Euripedes reduces the heroic legend of the house of Atreus dramatized by Aeschylers & Sophocles to domestic melodrama. This is not to disparage Euripedes, but to identify his dramatic values. This puts a greater burden on the director in staging the play and at the same time gives him greater opportunity for creativity in production technique. In other words, Euripedes Is more a direc tor's than an actor's playwright. Harvey Miller, making his directing debut at the Howell Theatre, boldly meets the challenge. With a magnificent "realis tic" set and authentic looking Mycenaean costumes supplied by designer Royal Eckert, the stage spectacle is impressive, though it could have been made more effective with a bit less surface detail and a bit more variation in the lighting to key the individual scenes. The silhouette ballet with which the production begins is a brilliant innovation to depict the legendary events which precede the action of the play as described by the Chorus leader. However, the pageant awkwardly interrupts the ex position, and the female breasts on Agamemnon are rather disconcerting. The familiarity of the legend would make ap propriate the technique of the Elizabethan dumb show where the stylized pantomine precedes the expositon. The ingenious theatricality of the opening scene is not matched again the performance, which at times sinks into a pedestrian "realism" so out of place with the stylized beginning and the choreographed choral in terludes. However, there are moments worthy of the spirit of Euripides, such as the presentation of the bloody head of Aegisthus and the entrance of Clytemnestra. EURIPIDEAN characters are more objectifications of possessive passions than full bodied persons. The result is raw dramatic power unen cumbered by realistic detail. Rarely does Electra, played by Cheryl Hansen, capture this quality; but when she does, as in the laying of the trap for Clytemnestra, she evokes the Medea-like vengeful intensity that bewilders as it terrifies. Bill Szymamski captures the nature of the fearful and ir resolute Orestes much more consistently, but his remark able stage presence too often casts Electra in his shadow in opposition to the relationship conceived by Euripides. Linda Varvel's performance as Clytemnestra best demonstrates the dramatic power of the Euripidean character; her appearance is so impressive and her self possession so complete that she completely upstages Electra throughout... their emotional confrontation at the expense of the dramatic point. . A STRONGER Electra would make the scene breath taking. The minor roles are for the most part ably acted, though one could wish for a more "countrified" speech and a more consistent rural manner on the part of Bernie Clark as the peasant husband in order to emphasize the imposed humiliation of , the royal Electra. Harvey Miller and his cast have created many im pressive moments in their production of Electra, though at times the built-in theatricality has not been ex ploited. Most disturbing is the attempted transformation of this melodramatic tragi comedy into tragedy. By eliminating the deus ex machina arrival of Castor and Pollux from the heavens, the director has ignored a supreme theatrical moment, which is a most appropriate conclusion to Euripidean dramatic technique; but more as a result of this omission, the action of the play is not put in its proper perspective, either theatrically or philosophically. The boldness with which Mr. Miller meets Euirpides' challenge at the beginning dissipates into lack of nerve in the supreme test at the conclusion. Euripides is a hard master, but even in a partial realization Electra is a moving dramatic experience. ,MlMlMllLmllMiml.ULl.IM.M,u.llm,,,llu.m.u.,L.,lmlMML ,,ol,1.ll.,,l,M.,m.M.i,..ull,i.oMM.,U... ...I - -- I - --- I-,- ,, - --- The tvord I salute Acting President S. I. Hayakawa, of San Fran cisco State College, for reopening the school on December 2, 1968. It is about time the dissidents find out that students go to college for an education instead of rabble rousing and protesting. There has been a trend toward having everything obnoxious twisted around the concept of humanitarianism. But, now it is time to recognize the fact that the dissenters don't support the very cause which they originally supported. The dissenters claim to have coined an additional which is spelled HUM TARIANISM. ed, which means: Regard for the interests of mankind. It is about time for a few more dissenters to get ignor ed, like those at San Fran cisco State College if they continue along the far leftest line. When a student organiza tion fails to function along the lines for which it was organized, then it is time to be disbanded and allow some sincere students to reorganize the group if there is a need for such a group. IT IS RATHER apparent that many of the student groups here at Nebraska are functioning very well and do serve their purpose. But, if ASUN is supposed to be a campus-wide organization, Daily Nebraskan word A N I THEY COINED this word and its meaning is everything opposite of "regard for the interests of mankind." These dissenting pseudo - intellects have coined their own word in an attempt to deceive man kind, but mankind has neg lected the new term becsu.8 there was a word, IIUMANl TABIANXM, previously coin- wood-cUM pottata paid at Unoola, Nab. TELEPHONE Editor 7BM. Nrtra 47HSa, Baataaaa 7S9M. Addraaa eomwpowtanr la Dalty Mobruku. Boom K. Madaat Union, Cotvanttf f Nebraska, Unoola. Nbranka HSM ftihocrtptton rata n N w wmW ar m Itor fha jaondamte yaar. Publtahod Monday. Wrdneaday. Tharaday an Pr-lday daring 0 act yar aioapt during varaUnna and ream parMda by tin tflnu of 0 Uatvarilrf of Noraa Krir tor kuiadirtioa af tnr Fncalty Ruhrommltl oa rortnf PvbllcaMoM toU-aUona "hull ho frra from aeawrahlo by Um fiubcamitu or any pmwa miutdr th fintvoralty Itombara af ttw Nobraakaa art raavmaiWa lor what the? taw ta arlniod .... . J Hambar AwocUtad CaUagwM Praaa. National aVtncaBoaaf Advarttdnf Sanrtea. Editorial Staff MHor Jar Todd: ataaatlM Edltof td looaoflai chalk- Mjrht Nam fcrfltor Kaai Ceckaaai fcditortaJ Viaea Anutanl Kaw Editor Lm Oorta. MUM Molly Harralll At.iat.nf i.'nt mmm f diiAr inks Kraadat KDorta Editor atsrfa Oordoni 4atatanf fvorH MHor Randy Vorki Ncbraeksa Staff Wrttera Jim Kvtafar, Joha Dvorak, arrf Efklwlt, Cnnl Kanfmaa, Julia Morrln, Jim Podonwa, Tamr (iron, b.ll RmltMrman, Connla Wlnirin-i ftenlar Copt Editor Joan Wagonari Copy Kdttari rhyllia AdkuMcm, Dava ruipt, J wit Wafnor, Andrr-a Wood! Photography CkM Daa Ladaiyi PboloaTapoar J. C Sbawi ArUat Call PiaaamaB, Business Staff Barlnma Maaaaar J. L. SefiiakHi ftooltkomr Rotar Soyti ProdorMoa Maa- a?ar 'ha Flrmuii niationai Ao Macaasr rrlti anovniaMri BimlsfiM gerrstsrjr and Clansin-d Ada Undo I Irtflii Auisocrlptlna Manajior Jan bvUmaai Ctrralatma wa Bos Pav-ika. fur Doran; 4tvartiinf B-nraaawai yaa Mo Bn via, ttlaaa PrMadt, Naao tMUkuU. (Ma Look, toa KataUiMr. why doesn't it make an at tempt at serving the campus community? I would ap preciate having ASUN publish regular accounts of services rendered to the student body, instead of publishing biased grievances aimed at Joseph Soshnik and other responsible executives. When these executives become Inefficient or neglectful, then the time has come to replace them with a more efficient executive, but I believe they are efficient. If an executive relinquishes any authority to an inefficient group like ASUN, that ex ecutive is opening the ques tion to whether he is qualified or capable of handling the responsibility for which he wfis hired Why doesn't ASUN stop complaining and serve the University students In the many multiple areas for which It already has authori ty. Since ASUN fails to serve the students now, ho one in his right mind will be willing to relegate th&ra more authority, even if they dissent. Lawrence Marvin Calvin Rife . . . 4iVj lihs to get to know yoit' "These are the times that try men's souls." This quotation is particularly true for the sincere white liberal and rather moderate blackman of today. They are both under constant pressure from many different directions the kind of pressure that many seem unable to bear. The sincere liberal oftentimes really wants to act, but in spite of himself has considerable trouble trying to act meaningfully in the best and most effective way. In a sense he becomes kind of hung up. a HE MAY FIGURE that since he knows the situation isn't as it ought to be, he should be making an effort to try to change existing condi tions. Probably the first step he ought to take is to talk with (as opposed to acting) some black people to get their opinions of what needs to be done. , ' ' This, seems like a good idea to our sincere liberal who is rather pleased with himself for at least coming up with a starting point. He decides to talk to liberal friends, who he knows will be as enthused as he is about leaving the sidelines to gain valuable human knowledge from people in a rather unenviable situation. He senses that the personal contact and ex change of ideas would help his own understanding, outlook, and course of action. He could become more sensitive to the deeper aspects involved in a situation as complex as race. Maybe they could plan a course of action together, and then gradually the word they would even disappear. SO OUR SINCERE liberal presents his inten tions to his friends and invites them to join him in his efforts, not doubting that any of them would go along and maybe even propose more ideas. Thus of course he's quite surprised when many of his friends receive his idea coolly. Hardly any of his buddies that seemed con cerned earlier, but didn't know what they could do, were willing to initiate any kind of personal contact. When he inquires as to why nobody really wants to get involved he gets a variety of answers ranging from "I'm to busy," "The time just isn't right," "They've got it better than they've ever had it" to "They get offended easily. Having sensed his popularity declining, he lets the subject , fade out. However, our sincere liberal sets out alone and on his own looking for sime kind of personal contact with a black person. He knows that he can't just walk up to a black person and say, "I want to get to know you." So he decides that the thing to do is to just treat a black person as you would a white person. He hopes that his eagerness doesn't show too much and that he'll get a chance to really get to know and become friends with a black person as a person. HE'S A LITTLE uneasy because he knows that most black people, because of the way conditions are and have been for some time, may not be willing to talk to him or make an effort to accept him as an individual. After all, perhaps he would react the same way. He knows that maybe he too will be pigeon-holed without a fair chance. He realizes he may be thought of as just another white do-gooder trying to ease his conscience. He remembers the strange feeling that overtakes him , every time he watches and listens to some radical inform him of his hopelessness and inability to ever rise above his natural state of sickness and hate. Yet, being fully aware of this, he makes up his mind to develop some meaningful relationships and work with people of every kind to improve conditions. But will he find any black people willing to give him a fair chance the kind of chance for which they have been fighting for hundreds of years? Not from the radical that says, "You're devils, you're evil, you'll never be anything else and I hate you for it.' " a BUT MAYBE HE will find some black people (let us call them moderates) who will recognize an honest effort and try to accept him as a sincere human being also trying in his own way to bring about change in himself and then to others. However, the black moderate, like the white liberal, has problems. He too is often caught in the middle and forced to plug on almost alone. He sometimes is looked on as an "Uncle Tom'1 by his more militant peers for his methods and his associaton with the white race. On the other hand many whites are going to unfairly pigeon-hole and label him. But he must keep going and keep trying to do his part in his way despite obstacles. I AM NOT necessarily opposing radicals. I'm sure that we wouldn't have come as far as we have without them; they are certainly a necessary part of our society. By the same token, there are liberals and moderates on both sides. Without them we can't make it. We've must have level-headed and concerned people of all races to make dreams of im provements a reality. Martin Luther King in his book Why We Can't Wait said, "The surging power of the Negro Revolt and the genuiness of good will that has come from many white Americans indicate that the time is ripe for broader thinking and action." Open your eyes Nebraskans Here In Nebraska, where we find ourselves hi love with leaving well enough alone, la a city of little windows, little eyes, art if as feared as cancer of the lung. Ted Keoser Script Magazine Now is the time for Nebraskans to throw open their windows, and open their eyes just a little wider. Here in Nebraska we always wait for things to reach us from the East or West Coast before we even begin to act Why can't we act now and prevent the race problems that are now wracking the country? Why can't we do something now? It's time for Nebraskans black and white to cast off their prejudices, to unite, and work together. Only If we work together if we "Giva a Damn" can we prevent the inevitable happening. GO TO THEf "Talk-Ins" in the dormitories tonight Learn what's going oa. Come to the Human ' Rights Committee meetings. Help Governor Tie maan pass the State Open Housing Law which will be submitted to the State Legislature this spring. The committee needs your help Black and White we need your ideas. The time has come for us" to stand up for all peoples rights. Are you going to help? or Just remain "Here in Nebraska, where wt find ourselves in love with leaving well enough alone, . . . Tom Leanquist
