Letters to the Editor
Campus Times
April 3, 1998
AASA Variety Show
Dear Editor,
In your March 27, 1998, edition of the Campus Times, Angelica Martinez
wrote an article entitled "Variety
Show Reveals Hidden Talents." I was surprised to find out that
the Black National Anthem had been changed from "Lift Every Voice"
to "We Shall Overcome." Excuse me, why wasn't the entire race
of African Americans notified of this change? It seems that your staff needs
a lesson in gathering "correct" facts. Ms. Martinez would have
known the "correct" title of this song had she taken a program
available at the door upon arrival. I believe she may have thought, "Well,
it's one of them darn songs."
Andrew Bills
Senior
'Age of Innocence'
Dear Editor,
I find it difficult to agree with Miss Czingula's labeling David Hamilton's
"The Age of Innocence" as child pornography ["Child
pornography unacceptable," March 20]. Not all nude photography
is pornographic as Miss Czingula asserts, nor does nude or erotic art automatically
become "pornography" when the subject is younger than a certain
age.
Pornography by nature destroys humanity and tenderness of human sexuality.
Child pornography depicts children in adult sexual behaviors to their extreme
detriment. Exploitation and criminal acts are common in recruiting underage
subjects.
In contrast, Hamilton's book depicts adolescents in behaviors simply
natural to that age. The quotations the editor finds "corny" are
excerpts from generally respected poets such as Anne Frank and Lord Byron.
Faces and expressions -- not genitalia -- are the foci of Hamilton's photographs.
The photos also portray the innocence and precious qualities of its subject
that the editor herself claims to endear.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the subjects are from upper-middle
to high-income families. Parents approved and were present during the recruitment
and the photographic sessions. Also note that Canon Corporation dedicated
and endorsed "The Age of Innocence."
The above facts about Hamilton's work are simply inconsistent with those
of child pornography. Hamilton, by nature as an artist, revels in challenging
the mores of our society. The controversy around "The Age of Innocence"
is probably what Hamilton intended all along. Although Hamilton's work may
not be pornography, it is not necessarily acceptable or appropriate. That
is something the reader must decide.
Adam Lamar
CAPA Student
via Internet
La Verne Fans
Dear Editor,
After reading this week's issue of the Campus Times, I felt the need
to respond to the issues brought up in "SDSU
coach rips ULV fans after loss" [March 27].
First I am left to wonder where Jack Henn, head coach for the Aztecs,
has played this year that has made La Verne comparably rude? Perhaps he
was looking for a reason his Division I scholarship team, chosen from over
22,000 students, could lose a Division III school with a student body a
little over 1,000. I would recommend that Mr. Henn spend more time watching
the game and not the fans if he wants to win.
Second, during my time at La Verne and as an alumnus, I have traveled
to games that have been worse than rude and even hostile to visiting players
and fans. When compared to what our athletes have to experience when traveling,
La Verne games are tame.
Finally, supporters of La Verne athletics who are openly vocal should
be allowed, when within the bounds of NCAA regulations (that air horn is
annoying), and with consideration for safety of the players and visiting
fans. Some in the athletic community refer to this as home court advantage
and an excellent way to show support to our players and our school. For
a University plagued with student apathy, all reasonable support should
be given to encourage involvement in athletics, or any activity that encourages
spirit.
Scott Mac Kay ('97)
via Internet
Opinion Columns
Dear Editor,
I would like to take this time to respond to the opinion column written
by Angelica Martinez, "'One Heart One
Way' has real meaning," printed on March 27, 1998. Although many
students have collected a number of unforgettable memories while at ULV,
these moments are considered personal stories, which are shared in casual
conversation. The opinion section should focus on topics which impact and
are of concern to the student body as a whole. There are a number of issues
which could be presented in a more educational and professional manner.
Ms. Martinez refers to her "power in having a column published,"
but would rather waste this opportunity in narrating a story than in providing
the students with valuable information. The Campus Times should be
utilized to inform. Personal experiences about a road trip to the local
mountains and the visiting of Mc Donald's should not be the focal point
of a column.
Adriana Macias
Senior
Dear Editor,
As a former editor of the Campus Times, I know the privilege
of having a space to voice your opinions. I picked up last week's issue
and was disgusted by what I read. It's really hard to believe that during
a week when five people were killed in Arkansas by children, that you could
find nothing better to write about than Leonardo DiCaprio, the Oscars and
a sorority retreat. I also thought that journalists had to have their facts
correct.
Laura, did you check to see how many people, including DiCaprio, have
been nominated for Oscars when they were young ["Oscar
does not glitter with snub," March 27]? DiCaprio was nominated
for "What's Eating Gilbert Grape." Anna Paquin won the Oscar four
years ago for Best Supporting Actress, she was only 12 years old. The list
is long of young actors who were nominated for Oscars. Laura, you should
have checked your facts before writing "I bet the Academy did not nominate
DiCaprio because he is only 23 years old. The Academy probably feels that
he is just too young."
Angie, I'm in a sorority myself so I know the pride you feel being a
member, but to fill column space with how great your retreat was made me
physically ill ["'One Heart, One Way'
has real meaning," March 27]. If you want to write positive columns,
write about your philanthropy. That's what the Greek system should be about
anyways, not parties and retreats.
Editors, I hope that in the future you check your facts and write about
something that more than your sorority sisters are going to care about.
Heather Morales
Senior
Tarn Sublett
Dear Editor,
I read with interest, then trepidation and finally astonishment, your
article introducing La Verne's new football coach, Mr. Sublett ["Wall Street figure invests in dream,"
March 13].
The piece regressed from a chatty overview of his "dream fulfillment"
to a vehement political and economic tirade that should be cause for concern
to any liberal arts faculty who have spent years patiently promoting restraint,
the deeper complexities of people and thought, intelligent compromise, and
a healthy contempt for the "certainty" that accompanies most stupidity.
Mr. Sublett describes himself as moody and concedes that he is "straightforward"
and comes across as mean. He brags that his players didn't like him in Washington,
even though he coached them to a season of two wins, when the year before
they hadn't won at all.
The entire team chose him to tackle and generally trounce when the head
coach gave them the opportunity to "get" someone on the coaching
staff whom they particularly disliked. Mr. Sublett sees this as good --
not sad, good! My guess is that his period of convalescence was short and
in some strange way, reinforcing!
Why is football the greatest sport of all time? Mr. Sublett asserts
it is because "You get to hit people!... You get to deliver the blows!"
He fantasizes coaching in "front of more people"... "in games
that are important... significant." Call me obtuse, but the obvious
omissions of sportsmanship, competition over "rivalry," mature
relationships, etc., are glaring, and it is not clear if this is the fault
of the coach or narrow reporting.
Finally, in an intractable and agitated manner, Mr. Sublett makes clear
some of his economic and political beliefs.
He claims to be the "most staunch Republican of all time."
For ages I've feared there were boys somewhere more Republican that Ollie
North and Gordon Liddy. Imagine my surprise to find one right here at La
Verne! Was there a contest at which they all held their hands over candle
flames?
With heart warming frankness, Mr. Sublett also asserts that he would
murder Saddam Hussein tomorrow for $10 million. It is unclear how this clearly
illegal and immoral act would be carried out, or who would pay for it, but
what bothers me is that while this doesn't seem excessive to the "coach,"
he finds it "ludicrous" that "Clinton is trying to spend
it all (Reagan's surplus) on ridiculous and ludicrous policies."
It is clear that if not for football, Mr. Sublett could win championships
for rapacity!
I would have ignored this mental loopiness if it hadn't been made clear
that Mr. Sublett is teaching in La Verne's School of Business and Global
Studies. If he is teaching this unconscionable assortment of oversimplified
generalizations enthused with hyperbole, I suggest he provide some counter-viewpoints
in his classes -- or, at least, a chocolate digestive biscuit.
Dr. Robert Burns
Professor of Education
