April, 1991 — LION’SEYE — Page 5 Reader Opinion Critics Should Have Interviewed Advisors If Don Forcey had interviewed the Black Student league advisors, he would have been compelled to write a letter to the editor quite different than the one that appeared in the March issue of the Lion's Eye. His concerns were based solely on an account provided by Chuck McCarthy and Richard Schaffer. He accepted their interpretation without question or verification from any others involved. That action alone, regardless of the issue, should be of great concern to all of us in an academic community. If Don Forcey had interviewed the Black Student League advisors or membership, he would have learned that they did not interpret Chuck and Rich’s attendance at the BSL meeting in question as a good-will visit. He also would have been informed of the duo’s history of using their SGA positions to coerce and threaten certain Delco student clubs. As a result, many at the BSL meeting interpreted Chuck and Rich’s silent and detached posture as arrogant and overlording, and they responded to it defensively. For the record all student club meetings are open and the Black Student League members and advisors welcome any student who wants to attend and support its goals. The BSL’s purpose is to provide a forum for those who share, or are sympathetic to , the struggles of the Black experience. The members find strength and support in the unity of the organization. The BSL members want to celebrate their heritage and work together toward improving relations among themselves and expanding their relations with other student groups. Since the Lions Eye is not a daily or weekly newspaper, it is unfortunate that it did not seek to print both sides of the story in the same issue, especially when such damning statements were made. This has been a landmark year for the Lion’s Eye; never has the quality of production and the reporting been better. We hope that it will continue to excel by publishing all sides of the issues in a more timely fashion. Black Student League Advisors Carolyn Boswell Beverly Lindsey Susan Ware BSL Responds To Outside Criticism This is in direct response to Don Forcey, Chuck McCarthy, and Rich Schaffer, for their weak article that appeared in the last issue of the Lions Eye. yon article was one sided. Now I am going to put our side in it, and I am going to get straight to the point. First, Don, you should have interviewed me and Mrs. Lindsey and anyone else from the BSL, not just Chuck and Rich, for they were sure to just tell you their side of the story. I ask you, Don, were you afraid to hear the truth? Now, Chuck and Rich, you were wrong to come into our meeting and sit in the back observing us. Just like you felt out of place, we felt you were there to monitor us. You did not look like someone who wanted to “help and lend a hand.” Now that I have your attention let me tell you the part that really got my attention. The part when you said “school us on black education”. You did not mean that. I haven't seen any of you in the Black History and or Religion courses held at this campus, and, Chuck, if you want to help us so bad, where was your support as SGA President at the “Black History Month Programs?” 1 don’t think I saw you at any, but one, if I saw you at that one, and you want to help? What facts did you need to come to a program: NONE!!! Were you not “prepared” to handle our “guest”? Don, that goes for you as well. 1 did not see you at any “Black Histry” programs, and I have not seen you carrying around any books written by King, or anyone else for that matter. The events were a good place for you to get some of the “black education” you crave so much for. : Another question I have to ask you three, since you want to walk hand to hand with us, why haven't you joined the “BSL”? Do you think we wouldn't be prepared for you? We are prepared for anything that you throw our way!! For example, threats of cutting our budget. Chuck, who gave you so much power? Mr. Coleman and Dr. Tomezsko need to take a very good look at your office. Now, by way of concluding , this is a open invitation to the three of you to come out and join the “BSL.” Please be there, but if you don’t make it, fine, no tears. But please stop slandering our name, especially if you do not know what it is that you are talking about. David Clements, Jr. ‘Apathetic Slugs’ Find Lots To Do at Delco Thank god for the altered language; otherwise I may have been crushed. The insults, however, were very effective. Verbal abuse usually gets me to change my attitude. For those of you who are not quite sure where I am heading (those of you who are probably the slow kids that were addressed in the last issue of the Lion's Eye), this is a candid, harmless response to Rich Schaffer’s “Earth to Delco: Wake Up!” article. Understand that because I know Rich his point is well taken, and believe it or not, contrary to being “an apathetic slug”, 1 even empathize with his concern. However, his technique does not do his opinion justice. I cannot speak for every person when I say this, but I am assuming that most people do not appreciate being called an apathetic slug or criticized for merely “eating, sleeping, going to school, or work and going to the bathroom.” I rather enjoy eating and sleeping and feel I make the most of my school and work. As for going to the bathroom, well, I don’t think anybody decides whether they want to go or not. It is definitely true that there have been many educational and entertaining programs on our campus. And I must admit, there have been many more that I have missed than I have attended. As odd as it seems, I usually go to those events which I think will interest me and unfortunately they have not interested me every time. I'm one of those boring people, I ~ Eye. guess, who enjoys just socializing with a few friends. These are friends who, in their spare time, utilize other resources offered by the university, which we pay for. For example, the weightroom, the gym, the lacrosse field, the tennis courts and yes even the library. Granted, these may not be the people to whom Mr. Schaffer was referring. It didn’t seem clear to me who, exactly, he was referring to as “apathetic slugs” and “slow”. Although there were a number of campus events I have been aware of, I didn’t attend all of them, or even a majority, and hardly think I am a bad person for not doing so. And I don’t believe in Santa Claus, so I don’t really care how many reindeer he supposedly has. While it is extremely important to get involved and take in the world around you, it is important to understand that not everybody is interested in these programs. Each person is going to take in as much as they want, how they want. The things that one person may find exciting may be the very thing I cannot stand. I can understand Mr. Schaffer’s frustration, but somehow I don’t think his appeal will attract any more students than if he hadn’t written the letter at all. Maybe instead of letting the lack of participation get to him, it would be a good idea to notice the people who do attend and learn from the events, and realize that the work involved in getting all of these events organized is not completely unnoticed and unappreciated. Angela Deal If the Shoe Fits . . . Dear Rich Schaffer, You wanted someone to respond to your "Wake Up!" article that appeared in the last issue of the Lions You used names, let me use Hos names and more just like you id. Now, I did not see Dr. T, Speedy A Reminiscence Coleman (yes, the basketball legend), Wanjiru Kamau, or the exceptional staff and faculty (laugh), the President of SGA or you at any of the programs for “Black History Month”. Let me back-up, maybe I saw two of you, Speedy and Wanjiru at about one program a piece. Now, let me dedicate this article to Beverly Lindsey, Susan Ware, Carolyn Boswell, Tammy Z, the exceptional officers and members of the BSL, and most important, those other students who supported the . programs (white and Asian). A question for you, Rich, did an alien invaded your body, suck out your mind, turn you into an unfeeling machine that eats, sleeps, goes to school, works, goes to the potty, goes to the SGA and ROTC meetings, and who trys to sit in on other organizations meetings (BSL)? No, I did not think so. I can tell you admire Speedy, but where were you when the Morgan State Gospel Choir was here? And did you not know that the “Freedom Theater,” Daniel Black, and other Black culture events were here for your education, listening and intellectual enjoyment? NO, because you just put our events to the back of your mind, that thing which the alien has invaded. Why did you let this happen? Because you only attend programs that the SGA or SAC or Speedy or Dr. T put together. I try to attend programs that different organizations sponsor, for example Hispanic Week, Asian Week, Father Washington, and those very good comedians, etc. I can see you don’t make others events. You also asked if we were awake. You see, I am awake, and let me ask if you were not in hibernation during “Black History Month”, why didn’t you make time to show up. “You I could also go on for days throwing insults at you, but like you I have writer's cramp, so let me stop. I hope that I did not offend or hit you too hard. But, Rich, before you get on someone else you better take a good look at YOURSELF. The shoe David Clements, Jr. Running For SGA Office Can Bring Suprises by Jill Rhodes It was this time last year that Chuck McCarthy, who was the editor of the Lion's Eye at the time, approached me and said, “ You know I'm running for Student Government President. I want you to be the Secretary.” We had worked together on the newspaper and he proceeded to tell me how he knew two people who were running for Vice-President and Treasurer. I was very nervous, but I felt excited to think of being involved in such an important organization on campus. Chuck then introduced me to Rich .Schaffer, who wanted to be the Vice- President. We stayed at school late to help Chuck work on some campaign gimmicks. We sat in the lounge and tied slips of paper that said, “DON’T BE A SUCKER, VOTE FOR THE CHUCKER!” on lollipops, while Chuck and Rich: talked and laughed and joked around with each other. Rich didn’t really talk to me and I thought he didn’t like me or something. Little did I know that he would become one of the best friends I've ever had. I met Michelle Walsh, the girl who was running for Treasurer, on the day of our campaign speeches in the Student Lounge. It made me feel a lot better to see that she was just as nervous as I was, maybe more. We were eventually elected into our positions and it was time to celebrate and get to know each other. We decided to meet for dinner one night after finals week. We wanted to treat ourselves to Red Lobster but there was a forty-five minute wait. So, we had to settle for the Bob's Big Boy down the street. We all joked around, gave our ideas for the upcoming year, and laughed a lot. We finished the night off with a rousing game of Putt-Putt. The point is, we were becoming pals. Now that we were comfortable with each other, it was time to get down to business. Our first priority was the Lion’s Den. It needed more paint and new rugs. So once or twice Continued on Page 7 Eo a a i Sn
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