FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2000
TALK BACK TO THE BEACON
were upset by the seeming lack of attention
to smaller groups that have made significant
changes in terms of membership and format.
The members of the diversity groups and
the editorial board of the Beacon attempted
to reach a middle ground to supplement the
needs of the newspaper, the many
organizations, and the students of Behrend.
The editorial board of the Beacon
responded to the complaints and concerns
by sending out an invitation to join the
newspaper staff and start making a change.
The representatives from the organizations
responded by saying that it is the Beacon's
responsibility to reach out to the Behrend
community for new members by attending
meetings of different organizations, or
possibly holding a membership drive. Jason
Snyder, editor-in-chief of the Beacon,
collected names of potential staff writers for
the spring semester.
Other suggestions included writing out the
full names of organizations instead of
abbreviations in the calendar page, a
possible political column featuring College
Democrats and College Republicans, and
more understandable horoscopes. Dr. Robert
Speel, associate professor of political
science and advisor to the Beacon, closed
by commenting that the paper attempts to
cover as many events as possible, but space
is limited. To cover every happening on a
campus of 3,700 students would take a 100
page paper each week, many more staff
writers, and more monetary funds.
The group left for the night after two hours
of debate with the hopes of improvement
and change. "Only in America can we have
an event like this." said Horton. "Everyone
What do you want
for Christmas?
"I want money because tuition
is so high."
Jared Hawk
Political Science, 07
"I want money because I'm
planning a trip."
Alejandra Marroquin
Psychology, 05
Maria Alomar
General Arts and Sciences, 05
"I want money because I'm broke and
because Penn State tuition is so much."
FROM FRONT PAGE
"I want my mom to help me
with my wedding."
"I want peace on earth."
Jan Jatti,
Assistant Manager of the
Behrend Book Store
John Hodges
Political Science, 01
NEWS
CELEBRATIONS
lira calendar. Throughout the entire
month Muslims fast, and concentrate
on their faith rather than daily con
cerns. During the day they are not
allowed to eat or drink. Then at
nightfall they have Iftar, a large meal,
which is accompanied by prayer.
Eating and drinking can continue
until daybreak. On the first day of
the next month, Shawwal, the fast
ends. Ramadan is then followed by
Id-al-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Break
ing). At this point gifts are exchanged
and friends and family gather for
prayer and large meals.
The Jewish holiday Channukah is
a festival of rededication. This is an
eight day event that begins on the
25th day of the Jewish month of
Kislev. This holiday began because
after the reign of Alexander the
Great, a time when Jews were per
mitted to observe their religion,
Antiochus IV took over the region
and began to oppress the Jews. Af
ter a revolt, the Jews were finally vic
torious. At the time of the rededicat
ion there was little oil to light the
menorah. Rather than having enough
oil to light the menorah throughout
the night every night, there was only
enough for one night. Miraculously
it burned for eight days. The festival
was then declared to celebrate this
miracle. Most important, the holi
day is not to glorify the war, but to
commemorate the miracle of the oil.
Finally, Christmas, which is cel
ebrated on December 25, celebrates
the birth of Jesus Christ in the Chris
tian religion. The reason why Christ
mas is celebrated on December 25 is
ultimately unknown, for it is believed
that Jesus Christ was born on Janu
ary 6. It is assumed that it is to coin
cide with the pagan Roman festival
that celebrated the winter solstice,
also known as Natalis Solis Invicti.
The traditions that are often followed
stem from many different origins. A
time of merrymaking and exchang
ing of gifts originated from the Ro
man holiday Saturnalia on Decem
ber 17. December 25 was also re
garded as the birth date of Mithra,
an Iranian mystery god. Mithra was
known as the Sun of Righteousness.
On the Roman New Year (January I ),
houses were decorated with pines and
lights, and gifts were given to the
poor. The traditions of Yule were
combined with the Christmas holi
day from German and Celtic Yule
rites. The European Middle Ages
bore the evergreens, a symbol of sur
vival.
Saint Nicholas, today known as
Santa Claus, started the tradition of
exchanging gifts. Warmth and last
ing life, symbolized by fire and
lights, have always been associated
with the festivities.
These few celebrations represent
how diverse the many holidays are,
although the underlying theme seems
to be a period for family and friends
to gather for fellowship, celebrate
their origins, and appreciate their ex
istence. The campus is definitely di
verse in not only opinions, but cel
ebrations.