equality, music review strike sour notes among readers -LETTERS tTh°e EDITOR Columbus Day does not call for celebration Justice is thequality of being right, correct; use of authority and power to uphold what is right; lawful; imparti ality in the administration of the law. This is an appeal to the reader for justice in countering the Columbus myth. At this time, the United Slates is looking forward to the commemora tion of the 500th year of Christopher Columbus. Arriving at these shores, let us remember the cruel policy ini tiated by Columbus and pursued by his European successors and perpe trated against the Native American. Let us remember the brutalization, plunder and annihilation of the native people and rape of the land itself. White settlers deliberately prac ticed genocide. At one lime or an other every colony paid a bounty for “Indian” heads or scalps. Adol f Hitler killed an estimated 60 percent of the Jewish population, white invaders killed 75 percent of the native popu lation. Those not killed outright fell victim to disease that arrived with the invartpre in thic ('nniltmni ..^a <<,«_ mon rum” introduced by those same intruders, which continues to kill native people today. Jim Wallis, in his article; “1992; A Call for Reconstruction,”calls for the truth about Columbus and the era of death and destruction that follows in his wake. He stales: ‘Columbus did not know where he was when he arrived in the Americas, and didn’t know where he had been when he relumed to Spain. The only thing Columbus did know was what he wanted — gold and slaves.” Thus began an era of conquest, genocide and slavery that is cele brated by American school children each October on Columbus Day as the great adventure of discovery. And for 1992, the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ first voyage a giant ex travaganza is being prepared. At his time of commemoration, indigenous people, African Ameri cans, church and progressive organi zations wish to use this time of the quincentennial celebration as a “teach ing moment.” A time to educate the public about their true history, that there was never a time since the founding of this re public when the motives of this coun try were innocent. History books need to be rewritten to tell the truth about the past. It should be a time for reflection on the great sacrifice in Native peoples’ lives, land and resources stolen away from indigenous people. The cost in North America was 9 million Native Ameri can lives and more than 100 million acres of traditional tribal land to make the United States what it is today. The cost of settling the western hemisphere is the lives of untold millions of African slaves and native people in Central and South Ameri can and the destruction of civiliza tions that had existed for centuries. Is this a cause for celebration? A more appropriate celebration would be a memorial to all who have died unjustly, simply because they were indigenous to this part of the world. Let this quinccntennial be a time for healing, reparation and redirec tion of federal policies toward in digenous people. “A People’s His tory of the United States” by Howard Zinn, should be required reading for the coming quincentenniai observa tion. It tells the truth about the enslav ing and extermination of millions. Other suggested reading of some older books that arc still relevant today are “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” uy Drown, muster uiea tor r our Sins” by Vine Deloria, Jr. and “Black Elk Speaks” by John G. Neihardl. Let justice be done. Jenice Bigbee Lincoln Women faculty priceless to UNL’s future We have one question for the College of Law at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Given that Ms. Hartigan, an assistant law professor, has more publications and has more education than her male counterpart, Got an opinion? The Daily Nebraskan now is accepting applica tions for columnists for the fall 1991 semester. Appli cants must be UNL stu dents next fall. Pick up an application in room 34 of the Nebraska Union and sign up for an interview. Interview dates arc March 20-22. doesn’t it logically follow that she should receive tenure? And one more question for our university commu nity: Haven’t we been discussing for many long months the need for UNL to retain more qualified women fac ulty? Let’s not just give lip service to the goals we set for our university. UNL, work hard and honestly to keep good women faculty: They are a valu able resource we can’t afford to lose! Connie Neal graduate student sociology with 11 other concerned women and men Review of group lacks reasoning, musical knowledge John Skrctta, it is obvious that you know nothing about the music of Loose Ends (DN, March 12). Loose Ends has been recording with MCA for several years with its own style of UK-R&B music. It has been one of the most respected and popular R&B groups for years. To compare its al bum, “Look How Long,” with the music of BBD is absurd. If you were to ask anyone who listens to Loose Ends, the person would definitely tell you that its music is a mix of smooth, jazzy bass tracks and not the hip-hop and pop sound of BBD. Loose Ends is popular for its origi nality and has never needed or tried to replicate any other group’s music. I suggest you sit down and try to study the different types of R&B music before coming up with ignorant comparisons. I’m sure all Loose Ends fans would agree with me when I say that it would be more sensible to compare Loose Ends with One World, Caron Wheeler and Soul II Soul — all from the UK. Carl McIntosh, the producer of “Look How Long,” is one of the most successful R&B producers in the industry today. Don’t put down his style because you’ve probably never heard it before, or because he has mastered the computerized, pre-pro grammed music of today. McIntosh shows his expertise and creativity with hyped bass rhythms and jazzy over tones incorporated with African-style drum beats full of original appeal. It’s too bad you didn’t listen closely to the lyrics on “Look How Long.” The lyrics are sincere and are not in any way trying to come from the same angle as BBD. You failed to mention three cuts (“Don’t Be A Fool,” “Hold Tight”and “Time is Ticking”) giving a positive message to hold on to your dreams, be patient and not to try to commit suicide if things aren’t going your way. You missed out, buddy. It’s obvious you didn’t do your homework. I hear there’s extra credit if you listen to the album again and recognize the real talent of Carl McIntosh and Loose Ends. It’s a shame when talented, genuine, non-lip-sync ing groups get less praise for their unique style. I’ll give Loose Ends my own rat ing — 4.99999 (Five is excellent). Mark K. Johnson junior accounting I , ": What Do Acuvue* \v And Vuamet ' ^ - Have In Common? AGreat Deal. Make the switch to Acuvue Disposable Contact Lenses and get a pairof Vuamet Sunglasses. With a new Acuvue Disposal Contact Lens purchase you can buy a pair of Vuarnet Sunglasses at a 60% savings. 6900 "O" Street 467-4100 Ask your eytcare professional if Acuvue is nghi for you. Offer good for lira ume pauemsonly. _l X--N This Spring Break - Go to the Mountains... Go to the Beach... Go have fun! -but first go to Moose's Tooth <<£$3$fSSi $5.00 off Teva ST^Ycf? Columbia _ & Rollerblade 'sport sa^dai SpomwyarCompany ^J!Wtert»S