Page 6 "The Lion's Eye March 1, 2004 An editorial Why Black History Month can’t end February is history now, but we shouldn’t for- get now that it’s over the reason it was estab- lished as Black History Month. Black History Month was established to draw attention to the contributions that African- Americans have made to the history, culture, sci- ence and athletic success of the United States. It is now an international celebration, but for Americans, our primary and utmost goal must be to somehow make Black History Month bring all of us together 12 months a year. It is interesting to learn that Black History Month was started as far back as 1926. Carter Woodson was a historian who first established "Negro History Week." Woodson was the son of slaves who could not even write who went on to get a Ph.D. from Harvard University. He became a high school teacher who was concerned that no information about black Americans was being taught in schools. He started the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History at a time when such an act was particularly controversial. The fact that such an act would be far from controversial today is an indication of the progress we've made as a sociecty. But we still have far to go. : February was chosen as Black History Month because it contains many relevant celebrations. Blacks carned the right to vote Feb. 3, 1870. February is the when several key African- Americans were born, including Frederick Douglas, Langston Hughes and Eubie Blake. It is the month the NAACP was formed. And it is the month Abraham Lincoln, recognized for a posi- tive influence on African-American history, was born. Black History Month stresses the contribu- tions of African-Americans, supports positive attitudes toward African-American culture and recognizes the contributions of African- Americans to science, politics, athletics and edu- ‘cation. The Penn State Delco campus does a com- mendable job supporting the many different cul- tures that can be found here. Delco regularly has activities and events to demonstrate its cultural diversity. It was no different for Black History Month. Penn State Delco displayed African arti- facts in the Vairo Library to celebrate African culture. It scheduled other events celebrating Black History Month, including an NAACP forum as well as a presentation on the Tuskegee Airmen. PSU Delco also had a presentation by African dancers in the Classroom Building. There is much prejudice and hate found in the world, but we have come a long way since the time of slavery. With African-Americans having a better chance of getting the jobs they deserve, things are starting to look at least a little more promising. Maybe, someday, there will be no racism in the world. Until that day we have a lot of work to do. And Black History month is a step in that direction. We should all take that step together. “ but he is also wrong in saying that gays you going. 1 to of on Boring. Break? | What are Not do homework, Do something for my birthday, proba- just relax, and Work, live hard and die messy. Work and do a little work. school work. Gotta make money. Going to Canada for a trek. Sit at home and bly shop. maybe stay active. Lexie Sommer Jude N. Megan Hanna Eric Law Quinette Bowen Joe Papa Business Nursing Business Accounting Business HDFS major Sophmore Freshman Sophmore Sophmore Freshman Senior Bush’s crusade against gay marriage a threat to some essential freedoms you to make that life-altering decision, as to what the next step should be? Many gay couples spend their extended lives together. They are families. But with- out that marriage license, gay partners cannot make these kinds of decisions. They also can't get health insurance, pensions and other benefits that a mar- ried couple could get within a month of marriage. That brings me to my next point. It has been said that marriage is the sacred union between a man and a woman. Where does it state anything about. the right to divorce? If Bush believes that gay mar- riage shouldn't be allowed because of his religious viewpoint on what marriage is, then what is to stop him from proposing an amendment to ban divorce? If he tried to propose an amendment deciding that divorce was going to be no longer available, he would have a lot of people on his heels. People want the freedom to divorce, just like gay people want the freedom to marry. Gay relationships are established in our The issue over whether gays should have the right to marry has been quite the debate these days. It all started when San Francisco started marrying gay couples. Since then, this controversial issue is what everyone is talking about, reading about, and watch- ing on TV. The fact that President Bush has decided to propose a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage is creating chaos across the nation. It is quite obvious that our president is attempt- ing to use his power as president to force our coun- try to follow his beliefs. I do not agree with Bush's actions. I believe that creating an amendment to ban gay marriage is more than just wrong. Amendments are made to protect our free- doms, not dictate how we are supposed to live our lives. If all of our rights were to be decided by a president who insisted we fol- lowed his views, we would live in a totalitar- By ian state. SARE Bush is not, only wrong in trying to ; change the Constitution so it fits his values, | country and it is about time we, as a whole, T——— begin to accept them. They aren't a, problem, and they aren't going te go away. It isn't right to dis- criminate against someone because of his or her sex- ual preference. We have bigger tribulations te fight off in our country, than to strip rights and freedoms from our fellow brothers and sisters. shouldn't be allowed to get married. How is gay marriage affecting heterosexuals? It isn't. It doesn't pose any sort of threat to anyone else's well-being. The reason that many people dis- agree with gay marriage is that they are uncomfort- able with an issue that shouldn't make them feel uncomfortable. Is everyone afraid that they will automatically turn gay, or that their children will somehow become gay, if they see gays married? People do not choose to be gay, or become gay just by observing gay peo- ple. I may not cognitively see how someone can love the same gender, but that does not provoke fear in me because it isn't what our nation considers nor- mal. There are benefits to marriage that gays should have the right to. For example, if your spouse was in the hospital and on life support, wouldn't it be up to THE LION'S EYE Editor-in-chief: Anteia Consorto Reisvar Associate Editor: | Jennifer Rufo, Julia Hagan, Amy McGregor, Ed Rich. you. Drop off letters to the editor in the ounty Sarah Gallatig Guest Coluinnist: Robert Hyers. Lion’s Eye mailbox, first floor Main, or email AAC136@psu.edu, subject: Letter Copy Editor: to editor. All letters must be signed with Meredith Becker Contributing Staff: Charlotte Barr, Renee Blisard, Jess Eye Contact: Goldey, Chrissy Greenan, Jeff Huber, Stacie Mann, Sean Orner, The Lion’s Eye would like to hear from Contact the Lion’s Eye: At AAC136@psu.edu. contact info for verification.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers