Jordan River Forum

A&F issue still remains open to controversy I agree with the unanimous IDS editorial viewpoint in that activists protesting the continuing availability of t-shirts with orientalist caricature designs at Abercrombie and Fitch should register their complaints in a peaceful manner ("T-Shirt Protest Should Be Civil," April 29). But I also believe that this is the type of viewpoint that an Asian American spokesperson representing the Asian American community at IU would have delivered with greater effectiveness and less offense (i.e to Asian American activists). Of course, since this editorial offers a specific discursive instance that invokes the question that we continually ask of ourselves in our IU academic communities: "Who has the authority to speak for (or about) whom?" The issue remains vexed and open to controversy. Hiromi Yoshida
Graduate student Respect peace campers Cherry Blattert wrote her column ("An open letter to Dean McKaig," April 23) with charming naivete and a deft dose of misleading rhetoric. This is not the first unusually formed attack on the Peace Camp, and I felt a re-think was in order. I am not affiliated with the Peace Camp, nor am I American. But I have a great respect for what they are up to, and most especially I have immense respect for the fact that they are still there. It's been 7 months now, and through snow, rain and heat that camp has stood as a proud reminder of what being American is actually all about. This country's true greatness lies in the fact that people can make such a powerful statement. Claims by various columnists that the peace campers are un-American because they are anti-war is deeply, deeply wrong. America, no matter what anyone would have you believe, does not really stand for war, death and destruction. Using these under the guise of "defending freedom" makes as much sense as Bush saying "In the interests of free trade, we will apply tariffs to steel". Merely using the right buzzword (freedom, free trade) does not mean that the word actually applies -- it merely means you are aware of what people need to hear in order to accept what you do. My only concern is that the campus will come to believe that the actions of the U.S. Government worry only a small group of "radical hippies". We should all be worried. I'm not living on Dunn Meadow, because I am too attached to my creature comforts. But I am reassured every day as I go past that I am not alone on my dissent. See the Peace Camp for what it is -- a reminder that not all of us believe the hype. Andrew Wilson
Graduate student Christian shouldn't impose their values I'm writing this in response to Annie Walker's letter ("Sex is for marriage only," April 29). The mentality you exhibit towards whether sex is "honorable," "commendable," or "pure" is the same ignorance that has perpetuated shame and denial in so many facets of our society. I have nothing against Christian values, I myself was raised in a Christian home, but to impose these values upon others and expect everyone to live by them is ludicrous. I have to disagree that a "life-long heterosexual marriage" is the only kind of relationship we were made for; people can honor and glorify God in many other ways, including through the acceptance, respect and compassion for people who may not lead the same kind of lifestyle that you personally choose to lead. It is unfortunate that our government and religious organizations who glorify marriage as a holy sacrament and/or legal institution refuse to acknowledge the love that is present in homosexual relationships. It is also unfortunate that according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 43% of those "life-long heterosexual" marriages fail within 15 years after declaring their commitment to each other, when at the same time, so many life-long homosexual partners are denied the same rights and responsibilities as heterosexuals. The same notions that prevent progress in this area of American society are the same notions that influenced you to write your letter: ignorance and denial. College is supposed to be a time for acquiring knowledge, maturity and personal liberation. Criticizing and demeaning others will not help them make more responsible choices; it will simply lower their self-esteem. Instead of worrying about the sex lives of college students, we should better spend our time educating our youth about responsibility and good decision-making. Heather Fitch
Freshman