• § I ! EDITOR Doug Kouma OPINION EDITOR Anthony Nguyen EDITORIAL BOARD Paula Lavigne Joshua Gillin Jessica Kennedy Jeff Randall Erin Gibson Qur VIEW All UNL groups need to reach out to each other Last week, a group called People for a Change met in the Nebraska Union to talk about diversity and racism on the Univer sity of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. Partici pants in the group, sponsored by the Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee, came from all races and backgrounds on campus and rep resented the diversity of UNL members well. The discussion quickly moved from the late-January cross burning to cross-cultural understanding and unity. Members of the group talked about taking action to create a more positive campus environment—one that would no longer spawn hate crimes such as the recent vandalism of a black employee’s car at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In one 90-minute discussion and a brief candlelight vigil, the group made a positive move away from accusations of university inaction and racism and toward understand ing and appreciation. , ; In terms of real campus unity, People for a Change got it right. The group was unified in its diversity. All people were welcomed. All races were - embraced. All participants’ thoughts were heard without backlash or accusations. But perhaps most importantly, white students and staff spoke out against racism. And they spoke loudly—in public. On a campus or in any community, if are the only groups; to ; opepfy advocate diversify arid ttnlfydrto denounce racism, the division between ra cial groups is only widened. If minorities’ efforts to eliminate rac ism are not supported by white community members, minorities’ efforts seem unappre ciated. An “us vs. them” attitude can de velop on both sides and destroy any hope of unifying a campus community across racial boundaries. Today we issue a call to unity—for all white students, faculty and staff to join mi nority efforts to denounce racism and work for cross-cultural understanding at UNL. Whites at UNL must no longer remain quiet while their minority peers say, “I am uncomfortable with racism at UNL.” Like wise, minority groups cannot cloister them selves. For any group at UNL, silence can only perpetuate misunderstanding. Unity on this campus will only materi alize if all campus members deliberately and publicly seek it. The first to do so should be those in leadership positions—candidates seeking ASUN offices in next month’s elec tion. Chancellor James Moeser has voiced his desire for unity. So have the People for a Change. All of UNL should follow their leads. I Editorial Policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Spring 1997 Daily Nebraskaa They do not necessarily reflect the views of the Univer sity of Nebraska-Lincola its employees, its student body or the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. A column is solely the opinion of its author. The Board of Regents serves as publisher of the Daily Nebraskan: policy is set by the Daily Nebraskan Edito rial Board. The UNL Publications Board, established by the regents, supervises the production ofthe paper. According to policy set by the regents, responsibility for the edi torial content of the newspaper lies solely in the hands of its student employees. I Letter Policy The Daily Nebraskan welcomes brieflet ters to the editor and guest columns, but does not guarantee their publication. The Daily Nebraskan retains the right to edit or reject any material submitted. Sub mitted material becomes the property of the Daily Nebraskan and cannot be re turned. Anonymous submissions will not be published. Those who submit letters must identify themselves by name, year in school, major and/or group affilia tion, if any. Submit material to: Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 R r St. Lincoln, Neb. 68588-0448. E-mil: letten@unlinfaunl.edu. •'* t v ^ > if/g, # 7 / CSKMHG-. IN - SR?.... Mehsling’s . s VIEW .'** ■ /\ ■ I Vw .1 . Isn’t it Ironic? “Parking Lot May Pave Way For New Hotel,” (DN, Friday). The headline alone makes me wonder if anybody listens or reads anymore. Is Mayor Johanns completely oblivious to the stories we he^r every day *. concermng parking?' > I am glad that Lincoln’s down town area is expanding to bigger and brighter things, but how are people going to enjoy them when they cannot find a legal spot within a 10-block radius to park their car? The 250-spot lot in question is the same lot I park my car in every day ... if it’s not already occupied by 9 a.m. Though I can’t really afford the $15 to $20 a week it costs for parking, some days I can’t get myself motivated enough to bike from 73rd and A streets in 9 degree weather. There are the city buses, but I have no way to get home when I have meetings and rehearsals at night that exceed the hours the buses run. These problems may not affect every student, but they do with nearly everyone I know. Everything I have mentioned doesn’t even scratch the surface. Now there will be signs that will say “Embassy Suites customers only.” Maybe I am mistaken, but these football games that attract so many spectators, where’s the spectators’ designated lot? Sure, the boosters have plenty of roan (that’s another issue), but what about the very people who bring the money to these games? The Lied Center draws quite a crowd as well, especially when events are scheduled the same week of things such as the “Star Wars” premiere. Let us not forget about the stores throughout the downtown area where parking is limited to 10 Natalie Linstrom/DN minutes, one of five spaces or just praying that when you park illegally all you’ll get is a $5 ticket. Expansion is an exciting option for nearly every city, but before the residents leam to enjoy the new possibilities, one must make sure an attempt has been made to meet their needs. Shelby J. Follis sophomore fine and performing arts 1984 in *97? Just shoot the horse and slap me silly. I am shocked ... nay, OUT RAGED ... at the pending legisla tion in the Unicameral. Regardless of whether or not you are in favor of the death penalty (I happen to be in favor of it), we should ALL be frightened of legislation making it easier to apply capital punishment to cop killers. Despite Gov. Nelson and Jim Wilson Sr.’s support for bills that allegedly crack down on “crimes against all society,” LB422 and LB774 simply, in a de facto manner, place more importance on the lives of police. Even worse, these two bills do little more than strengthen the stranglehold of an ever-growing police-state upon .our “democratic” society. WAKE UP PEOPLE! George Orwell wasn’t just writing fiction. Kevin Gregorius senior broadcasting Feeding the Lions I was part of the Veritas forum this week in the Centennial Room of the Union. It was a very well attended meeting (1,000 people over three days). It was sponsored by 11 recognized UNL student organiza tions. We bought ads in the DN. We sent PSA’s out to various media, this paper included. I don’t want to be guilty of prejudgment, so I will ask a few questions that I hope will give me some understanding. Why was this event not covered in the Daily Nebraskan? What is the criteria of choosing stories? Did the fact that the sponsoring groups were campus ministries play a role in the decision? I also ask these questions because no one from the DN covered the •"'N prayer vigil on Jan. 31, but other local media did. If I were making a judgment, but I’m not, it seems that the DN has something against those who would call themselves Chris tians. Could you clarify for me please? Kevin Shinn Christian Challenge DN LETTERS “~r“ . Send letters to: Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Unipn,14QO."JR" St.J Iincoto, NE 685^,o.rf«to(402)47M731,OT^mail