Wednesday, apfil 25, 1979
page 4
daily nebraskan
p)orara?o&)
.. 'v
'Consistent' U.S
policy displaces
numerous groups
We can say one thing for American policy, it is consist
ent, starting with the steady acquisition of American
Indian homelands in the process of settling the country.
In the name of "religions freedom" or just plain acquisit
ion, the Native Americans were moved off their ancestoral
homelands. Not without a fight though. Many treaties
were signed, nearly as many were broken. Native Ameri
cans were seen to fight as savaged, in contrast, white
settlers used guns. The homelands of American Indians are
called "reservations."
Obtaining land, in South Africa, the Dutch and the
British conquested and relocated its native peoples also.
The treaty technique was also used, legal documents were
signed by illiterate chiefs which granted precious mineral
rights to the settlers. For British settlers in southern
Africa the move was lucrative. Native peoples were not
only displaced but utilized as a labor force. They were put
to work in the mines, factories and used to provide
domestic services for the whites.
. Economic support consistent
The U.S. has been consistent in its economic support
of moves such as these. Over two hundred corporations
currently operate in South America, U.S. banks have
currently 2.2 billion dollars in loans to South Africa.
American weapons are presently being used to maintain
the police state there.
Officially referred to as reserves or homelands, one
third of the African population of South Africa live in
rural, barren, crowded BantUstans. These are people not
needed in the "salve" labor force of the city or the mines.
Other Americans live in townships or barrack-like
"hostels" for migrant workers.; The law prohibit possess-.
sioh of arms by blacks or "coloUreds" (mixed black and
white). " ' ';-r:fvf"" " '. 7'- v
Then the Jewish began id settle in Israel their motivat
ion for relocation was "uniting the worldwide fragments
of a once united nation", (the Jewish state was destroyed
in' 70 AD by the Romans). This ideology was termed
Zionism. Primary too, was an escape from religious and
economic persecution and the life in Jewish ghettos of
Europe and Russia. During this century the new settlers of
Palestine came from around the World.
Mass immigration
Immigration of Jews into the area begun en force after
World Wair I and by 1948 there were 500,000 Jews in
Palestine and one and a half million Arabs. After World
War II, the State of Israel came into being.
At theNturn of the century the Jewish National Fund
had begun to buy land in Israel. Once the state of Israel
was formed laws were enacted entitling the state to land
deemed necessary for "military purposes'. Lanctjwas
obtained due to the absence of iti owner during times of
war (virtually since the formation of Israel). In addition,
armed acquisition of properties proved effective in dis
placing Palestinians (I am referring to the appearance of
armed individuals on one's property simply ordering them
to leave).
Oppressed press , 5
It appears the oppressed have become oppressors. The
homelands of the Palestinians ire refugee camps at this
moment. They too cannot possess arms.
Z "v v '' ,
v The UJS. has shown Its proverbial colors In offering a
peace treaty with no provision for a Palestinian state. We
will again support the displacers. We will again effectively
be the displacers with a "peace treaty" providing $3
billion In American wcrpons to Israel. V
We can anticipate the cry of "Soviet Expansionism!"
and "We must fight communism! when freedbm fighters
accept military aid from whoever they can get It. Our
foreign policy appears to be partillly based on two
familiar adas: ht If RHit and surely White Is Right.
We, too have some historiof roots.
Jane Pemberton
Greek relations take step backward
Greek week is designed to promote fratern
ity and sorority relations in a positive manner.
However, at the close of Greek Week last Fri
day night, it became questionable whether the
week's purpose was to indeed promote relat
ions. At Friday's Greek Night Live, cuts and slams
against certain Greek houses were viciously and
freely thrown out to an audience who had anti
cipated the opposite.
One of the masters of ceremonies seemed to
have taken it upon herself to portray a Satur
day Night Live (TV program) figure, reporting
slanderous statements which drew boos from
the audience, and prompted many td walk out.
Crude ethnic and pornographic jokes told
between each of the acts only seemed to inten
sify the bitterness the audience could not help
but feel.
The week did begin positively. An all Greek
exchange dinner provided fraternity and soror
ity members with a taste of life from another
house's point of view. The Greek Blood Drive
also promoted Greek spirit as the amount of
blood gathered soared to a fecdrd high.
For a while it seemed as if Greeks might
have been accomplishing their goal of Greek
week. But only, and sadly, for a while.
Greeks who had anticipated a summary to
the successful week they had just experienced,
were forced instead td Witness a mockery of
the entire Greek system.
There were talented tedple ort stage, and
there were also good comedy acts. The
problem did not stem frorri the perfdrmers, but
rather from the people whd drgariized and
wrote what they assumed would be funny to a
Greek audience.
By ridiculing their own system, those Greeks
only gave more validity to what Vocal indepen
dents have been crying for ye'ars-Greeks are
insensitive people who care only for them
selves. Shelley Smith
'Big images characterize America
"Americaine?'
The question comes in a variety of intonations and
accents, accompanied by any number of stares, once
overs, smiles, suggestive smiles and curious looks.
What's it like being an American in France? What kind
of image does that word evoke? How are Americans
viewed from the European continent?
dddsi?Y7 J 84
These questions come with a variety of responses,
ranging from the humorous to the coldly serious.
First of all, there are the inevitable stereotypes. As
much as my experiences in France have taught me to dis
like generalizations, the broad sweeping images persist.
"America' evokes immediate responses of cowboys
and Indians, rich capitalists, money, immensity and warm,
open people.
American images
The American is the rich Texan tourist in a ten-gallon
hat puffing on a cigar; the glittering, disco-ing "new
yorkais;" the easily-perceptible youth clad in worn Levis,
a backpack and bright colors.
The typical American city is a rubber-stamp image
of New York City. In fact, U.S. geography in a lot of for
eigner's eyes consists of New York (the city, they've
rarely heard of the state) and California, with Chicago and
Texas somewhere in between.
The Stereotypes are even bigger than the images 4th
grade history books present of America. Chicago is still
the city where machine-gun-toting Mafia members run
loose, President Carter is referred to as "President Pea
nuts" and hamburgers and Coke are the national cuisine.
'Big babies'
American is synonymous with big-big cars, big build
ings, big cities, big bank accounts and big ambitions. The
French refer to the Americans as "les grands enfants,"
which, literally translated, means "big babies." Another
common nickname is "les belles americaines" (the
beautiful Americans) but I haven't figured out if that's a
compliment directed to women only, or if it's reflective
of our lifestyle.
I've found a sort of schizophrenic attitude towards
Americans.
On one side there is a skepticism-almost a cynicism
toward anything America does. It's a big, powerful coun
try with a lot of influence. Broadly speaking, Americans
are judged a lot by the politics of their country. (A stereo
typing that exists for almost any country, I might add.)
Therefore, nuclear slip-tips in Pennsylvania, government
change-overs in Iran and Mideast peace treaties prompt a
lot of questions about American politics and policies.
American dream
On the other hand, there is the more one-on-one atti
tude, that often reveals a strong affinity for the States.
Politics aside, the majority of people I've met here (for
eigners as well as French) dream of traveling, studying or
living in the States when time and niotiey permit. America
is still seen as a land of enormous opportunity.
People who have traveled to the States or have Ameri
can friends speak a lot about the warmth they've
found in Americans. American people are seen as easy
going though always busy, Very sportive thought not as
thin as most Europeans.
The American tendency to smile at anyone and every
one baffles and bemuses people. Often this happy attitude
is interpreted as naivety, which, depending bn your age,
sex and financial standing, can lead to some interesting
encounters. y.y,. -r
Foreign surprises
Personal experience has convinced me that being
young, female and American are some 'of the best
traveling advantages you can have. There is 4 curiosity
about America that is in almost everyone.
Things Americans calmly take for granted are cast in
a different light when viewed through a foreigner's eyes.
I clearly remember the incredulity in a French friend's
voice when she told me of her discovery of bubble gum
ice cream in the States. The Americans get ribbed enough
for their tendency to always be chopping away on a stick
of Juicy Fruit or Dentyne, but to putgum in ice cream is
the final straw!
The idea of sittirfg down in front of a TV and being in
terrupted every several minutes by commercials is un
bearable to many French. Commericals come before or
after a broadcast, but never during.
The U.S.A. is often considered a country where the
relatively high incomes of many citizens permit relatively
high levels of frivolity. IH admit that I've seen some
pretty ostentatious things in my time, but ive yet to rtnd
truth to the rumor that we dye our bread o match the
color of our meals! - t .
With the increasing amount of travel abroad by Ameri
cans, finding an American in Europe and comparing and
contrasting impressions of "the States" Is becoming more
and more a part of the joys of traveling.
Minister Larry Doerr:
The two most copout words ever to enter in America
today came about in the 60s.
Conscientious objector: is there really any such per
ton(s)?
After my time in Nam (three and a half yean), I failed
to find any such person. As a platoon sergeant I acquired
three .such persons-but in fact it was a joke. There is no
such person(s).
It's just a nice name for draft dodging is all. Plus you're
laying that you don't have to abide by the law of the
land. But your CO want all the rights of America.
Yes, I believe everyone has his or her right to believe
anything they want. But the conscknlioua objector is a
falsehood that came by the way of I slick "legal beagle
(lawyer). , - .
Conscientious objectors believe la nonviolence, right?
Of any kind. Just put them In a situation where it's their
life and watch just how fast their belief will change.
If he or she feels strongly about It, then let them be the
corpsmen, nurses, or work for the Peace Corps or Vista.
At least your letter Was honest about the draft.
'vii-v''" K. Lucas
Freshman
