April 21 letters
Housing is not as unfair as Kite’s letter would imply
TO THE EDITOR:
I understand Jonathan Kite’s frustration with housing in Craige Residence Hall, but I would like to clarify some statements from his letter.
First, the tossing of one chair was not the first incident of vandalism in Craige during the past month. Craige residents also recently received an e-mail informing us of vandalism in the elevators.
Second, although the housing contracts are not available on the housing Web site, the “community living standards,” the “residence hall conduct process” and “resident expectations and responsibilities” are.
The Facility Issues section of the community living standards would be of particular interest in this case. The vandalism of University furniture is explicitly prohibited. In the conduct process, housing states that sanctions might be determined based on the seriousness of the violation.
In this case, since the community director does not know who committed this destructive vandalism, it seems appropriate that she impress on the whole community the seriousness of the violation by closing the study lounges until an investigation is concluded.
Third, the sixth floor has not been “charged and held collectively responsible” for the vandalism. The sixth floor is simply the scene of the crime. As a Craige resident, I’m angry that the actions of two or three individuals have cost the entire building their studying facilities just prior to the start of exams, but we are all being held accountable for this incident.
Fourth, I’m surprised that Kite finds our director’s e-mail confusing. I see nothing “incoherent” in her e-mail. She makes it quite clear that a new plan for study lounge use is currently under development and that she is open to resident suggestions. In addition, she reminds residents that while the majority of the lounges are closed, the first floor Green Room and basement Coffee House remain available for studying.
I hope that the investigation into this serious incident of vandalism concludes as soon as possible, so the study lounges will reopen and that in the future residents will consider the impact their actions have on their community.
Rebecca Bonham-West
Sophomore
Education
Go out to the Pit to speak your mind from ‘soap box’
TO THE EDITOR:
Today from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Democracy Matters is hosting an open mic in the pit as part of our Democracy Day activities. We are inviting you to come speak out about our government, specifically democracy and your place in it.
We feel that the government is dominated by big money right now, and most people are left out of the process, which is far from democratic.
We want people who feel that their voice is not heard to get on the soap box and speak their mind.
You can bring up any issue you wish, and it is also a good opportunity to publicize any events your group is organizing in the near future. Prizes will be awarded to participants.
I hope to see you there.
Jeremy Fiel
President
Democracy Matters at UNC
Letter glibly labels all the opposition as being racist
TO THE EDITOR:
Reuben Baker’s initial statements about the advertisement placed by the Patrick Henry Foundation in Monday’s The Daily Tar Heel are as follows: “The ad pronounces the same racist and anti-Muslim sentiments that were expressed by certain individuals on campus following the Pit attack and that thinks Middle Eastern/Muslim equals terrorist.”
I would disseminate from this poorly structured sentence that Baker thinks the statements made by myself and others after the Pit attack equate Islamic terrorism with the whole of Islam. Therefore, Baker’s claim that “nowhere in (his) letter” does he interpret the condemnation of “Islamic terrorism as condemnation of Islam,” is flat out illogical.
He was not the one being questioned about equating Islam with terrorism after holding a rally in the Pit the Monday after the Pit attack; I was.
He then cites “previous statements,” as evidence that I do indeed equate Islam with terrorism and says that the “vagueness” of the advertisement — and by default says the vagueness of the Pit rally — implies that both the ad and the rally equates Islam with terrorism.
String along whatever arbitrary assumptions you will, but my well documented support of profiling Arabs in airports does not mean I believe the nature of the Islamic religion lends itself to terrorism, as Kris Wampler is unafraid of stating.
Furthermore, insinuating that “vagueness” equals ignorance of the differentiation between Islam and Islamic extremism is ignorance to the highest degree.
Lumping viewpoints together allows Baker to wantonly apply the “racist” label to anyone who disagrees with him and polarize the debate instead of producing respectable counterpoints.
Jillian Bandes
Junior
Peace, War and Defense
Come out to eat and chill at Chapel Hill’s Apple Chill
TO THE EDITOR:
The Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department invites students to attend the 35th annual Apple Chill Street Fair on Sunday, April 23 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Apple Chill is a great opportunity to support local artisans, enjoy international cuisine, see performers and spend the day with friends.
The fair will stretch along Franklin Street, from Henderson Street to Roberson Street, in downtown Chapel Hill.
Local arts and crafts artists will be selling their handmade products, including pottery, woodcrafts, paintings and jewelry. Vendors will be serving up food from around the world will satisfy any taste palate, from gyros to Caribbean cuisine. Musicians will play a variety of types of music, including rhythm and blues, acoustic, big band, Latin, beach, jazz and soul along side performers including the Apple Chill Cloggers and Neill’s Tae Kwon Do Demo Team, on five different stages.
So come out with friends to enjoy Apple Chill, Chapel Hill’s most dynamic and enjoyable fair.
Kacey Faberman
Junior
Journalism, History