Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 24, 1990)
Homophobia, ASUN, NEA issues debated Hatred and fear a “bad definition” of term homophobia I don’t know who defined ‘ ‘homo phobia” as ‘‘the hatred or fear of homosexuals or homosexuality” but I think this is a bad definition. Let me explain why. If we assume that haired is always worthy of moral condemna tion, then if Hank hates homosexuals, it follows that Hank is also worthy of moral condemnation. But fear, as far as I know, is not generally worthy of moral condemnation. So, if Fred fears homosexuals, it doesn’t follow that Fred is worthy of moral condemnation. Since the two conditions of hatred and fear are very different morally, I think it is not good to use the same term to describe both of them. Also, I want topointout that a person may hold that homo sexuality is morally wrong without having either hatred or fear of homo sexuals. David Reiter graduate student philosophy \SUN purpose is for student voice, not gym decorating ASUN stands for Association of Students of the University of Nebraska, otherwise known as student govern ment. The reason we have student government at the college level is not to decorate the gym for dances nor to stuff r6sum6s. It exists largely be cause of the student riots and unrest during the Vietnam War and Korean ‘‘conflict” We asked for a voice and we got it. Not we are supposed to have more control over what our university does with out money. ASUN has become .ess represen tational of the full student body and perhaps a little more adept at decorat ing the gym — but this can change far the better. To make ASUN better ** more representational and active - was the main intent of the original STAND' party. It was made up of a group of underrepresented students mainly from off campus, who believed ASUN was worth working to save. For the size of our party and our somewhat radical platform we received an amazingly large percentage of votes, and voter turnout in general was greater than it had been for years. But this was not enough for our presidential candidate Joe Bowman or our co campaign manager Mark Burhdorl - who decided to leave our party’s ide als and go mucking around with their own secret plots and adventures - the conspiracy/paranoia game. By now we hope that most of their hideous deeds have come to light. Mr. Bowman has tried to pass off his defection and egomaniac behavior as part of a plan he had all along - - a plan to illustrate how corrupt and petty ASUN is. However, all he has suc ceeded in doing to any measurable degree is to destroy the trust people had in student government, in more representational election parties and most of all in his own ability to think clearly and be trusted. Maybe this was his ultimate purpose or maybe just a bonus of his macho self-preser vation mechanism. It really doesn’t matter. What matters is that those of you who cared to read this make ASUN work for you. Run for senate scats or at least vote during the next elections. The real STAND party was there for you and hopefully its off spring will be there for you next elec tion. Be there for it. You are what ASUN really stands for. The system itself is not corrupt, only those who currently run it are. Nell Eckersley junior Spanish -— Student is tired of seeing, hearing homophobia label Cindy Hope, your letter (DN, Sept. 19) certainly shows that you took no time to really read my letter (DN, Sept. 17). How did you derive from my letter that I “show ill will” to ward homosexuals and their actions. I am simply sick and tired of seeing and hearing the words “homopho bia” and “homophobic.” You, and many others, fall back on the First Amendment. Well, if you’re so agreeable with it, why can’t I state my views on homosexuality, on what is natural, and right? Did I say that I was God? No, I didn’t. And 1 am in no way denying that gays have freedom. I condemn no one, I give opinions. But, I do condemn name-calling! Homosexuals don’t appreciate the words “fag” and “dyke,” and I don’t appreciate being called “homopho bic.” 1 do understand homosexuality and have no delusions on the matter; this was not my complaint, nor the issue. My point is that 1 and many others I know, don’t appreciate this presup posed condition called homophobia, which is constantly shoved on us. Have a nice day. Bri Frimodt freshman pre-law People’s opinions aren’t necessarily the right answers In her letter “Gays should not be condemned” (DN, Sept. 19) Cindy Hope asks an important question: “Who are you to decide what is natu ral or right?” This question, in vari ous forms, turns up frequently in dis cussions over moral issues, and the key to responding to it is to note that it can be taken two ways: 1. ) Who are you to decree what is natural or right? and; • 2. ) Who arc you to form an opin ion concerning what is natural or right? I suppose that most people who ask this question are neither aware of this ambiguity nor actually expecting an answer; what they are really say ing is “You are not qualified to ex press that opinion.” Who am I to decide what is right? If you arc asking me who am I to dictate what is right, then the answer is easy: I don’t claim any such author ity. Morality is independent of my opinions about it. But if you are ask ing, who am I to form an opinion, then I’ll tell you: I am a thinking person. Some people mistakenly conclude that because it is often difficult to find answers in ethics, and because there arc differing views about morality, there are no right answers, or at least no way to know what the answers are. But this conclusion docs not follow. Answers are possible in ethics, and I think that deep down almost every one believes this. How many people could honestly say they were unsure whether it was wrong for the Nazis to kill the Jews? And how many people would say they just don’t know whether rape is immoral? Not many, I hope. Like the rest of us, those who use the who-are-you-to- decide? argument have plenty of moral convictions themselves. Cindy Hope, for example, apparently believes it is wrong to hate or condemn homosexuals. But, then again, who is she to decide? Douglas Evam junioi law NEA abolishment threatens access to arts programs The need for an educated elector ate prompts me to respond to Andrew Meyer’s letter (DN, Sept. 18) advo cating the abolishment of the Na tional Endowment for the Arts. The demagoguery of the debate surround ing the re-authorization of the NEA seemingly leaves the voter to join in the promulgation of pornography by supporting the NEA or to declare allegiance with bigots and religious zealots by opposing the re-authoriza tion of the endowment. Either view is simplistic and unworthy of an edu cated person. .(J A tiny portion of the NEA ’ s budget is allocated to a small re-granting program which has funded the exhi bitions which have sparked such controversy. The vast majority of NEA funding supports programs which have enabled citizens of every economic class in communities of all sizes to enjoy music, theatre, dance, and vis ual arts. The call for the abolition of the NEA because a handful of objec tionable work has been exhibited in the 25-year history of the Endow ment has a rough equivalent in a call to eliminated the armed forces be cause in isolated incidents in the field, soldiers shot civilians in times of conflict. On the matter of art and the free market, I leave it to my colleagues in political science and economics to discuss the vast array of direct and indirect subsidies which taxpayers provide to all manner of commerce. 1 would be pleased to meet with Mr. Meyer, any student, or student group to discuss the issues surrounding the NEA and the truly complex ramifica tions of government involvement in the arts in a free (and free market) society. Kerry S. Grant director School of Music “The first time I saw a Macintosh, I was immediately hooked. It’s a work of ait. I saw the student pricing and my next move was obvious: get one. “Some other computers are cheaper, but they’re a pain to learn, and working on them can be a grueling experience. Last year, a friend bought another kind of computer against my advice and has used it for maybe 15 hours. What a waste. “Macintosh, on die other hand, is a logical extension of die mind. It lets you concentrate on what’s in your paper, not on how to get it on paper. You can create professional-looking documents in minutes, and you lose the fear of learning new programs because they all work in the same way. “Once you’ve worked widi a Macintosh, there’s no turning back" Computing Resource Center Computer Shop University Bookstore Lower Level Nebraska Union 472-5785 Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm 5W/ Why do UNL Students love Macintosh? Ask them.
