To the Daily:
I would like to clarify the question of what the solitary 'K's that have been seen on campus stand for. ("What is with all the 'K's?" 4/9/98) We hope people do not confuse the Circle K with any hate symbols or groups that portray ideals unbecoming of our community.
On the contrary, Circle K is a premier service and leadership organization with programs and events for the entire community. Students run the entire group with assistance from Kiwanis (the origin of the 'K').
The 'K's that have been seen around campus were made in part by our members and also children from Ann Arbor. Each one represents at least one life being influenced through community service - we hope for millions more!
Circle K performs a plethora of projects while working with the elderly, handicapped and peers, as well as our focus on children's events. We also have leadership-development, team-building and networking programs available. Our diverse membership reaches across every part of the University, so that is probably why you might frequently see 'K's.
Anyone can join us for our projects (ongoing, weekly or arbitrary) and programs (Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Michigan Union). Our interactive Website sums up everything that we do, so check it out: www.umich.edu/~cki. Or mail us at circlek@umich.edu to get involved.
With an open atmosphere and opportunity for each person to make their own contributions, we would love to have you join the Circle!
Rishi Moudgil
Former president, University Circle K
To the Daily:
While there are probably a lot of people out there who would probably be quite content to never read another letter arguing one side of affirmative action or the other, this debate has made no gains since the day the lawsuit against the University was announced. From that day on, it has been an oversimplified shouting match between two camps of people, both of whom are determined to put as little thought as possible into solving the undeniable problems that our society is still facing with regard to race. I will say at the beginning of this that I believe that racism is as much of a problem as it was when Lyndon Johnson first proposed affirmative action, and that the University is right to want to give everybody an equal chance at attending this publicly funded institution.
But I'm left wondering what steps the University plans on taking if they lose this lawsuit. Am I to believe that the only way schools can find black people to attend them is by asking their applicants straight out what their race is? Why does it seem like all of the creativity in dealing with race relations comes from the bad guys? In the '60s, when civil rights legislation was up for vote in Congress, southern representatives would get up and read phone books from the podium until everyone else left, then they'd vote on the legislation. When it became unacceptable for country clubs to say they they would not accept blacks in their by-laws, they instituted rules that people could join only if they were recommended by a current member. The attitude of the most vicious racists in society has always been, "We don't care what laws you pass, we will find ways to keep things as they are." It's time for the University, and others around the country, to say, "We don't care what happens in this lawsuit. We are the home of some of the most intelligent, creative minds in the country, and we will find ways to keep our University diverse, and to provide opportunities for those who would otherwise have none. We're smarter than you, we're as desperate as you to win, and we have righteousness on our side."
If I had any say, I'd take the millions of dollars that the University is about to sink into a fight that Texas and California have already lost, and use it to subsidize the educations of the top 5 percent of those graduating from the poorest 100 schools in the state. I'd offer guaranteed admittance letters to the top 10 percent of the classes graduating from any Michigan high school from which we've recruited a basketball player. These are ideas that don't discriminate against any race in particular, and therefore should be legal even if the University loses its lawsuit, but like the country club admittance rules, probably would benefit certain groups of people disproportionately. If racism is as bad people say it is (and it is), than it should manifest itself in some tangible ways (and it does). The anti-affirmative action crowd is trying to turn the tables on us by using old civil rights methods, legislation and litigation to accomplish their goals. It's time to turn the tables on them and use subtlety and creativity to accomplish ours.
Dan McKenzie
University alumnus
To the Daily:
I still don't know what to think of the April 10 Daily's "Electronic Attack" Friday Focus. I'm simultaneously laughing my fool head off while ripping out my hair. The Daily should know better than to print such a biased story. The article used scare tactics to portray hackers as evil creatures out to fry everyone's hard drive. This myth is one that the popular media perpetuate in their exposés, which are often written by someone who wouldn't know an IP address from his social security number.
The article was a one-sided portrayal of hackers as a devilish subculture. Although there was a small mention of hackers who aren't interested in singlehandedly ruining the world, the article's overall tone was anti-hacker. Yes, there are naughty hackers; but there are many hackers that want to learn about computers and networks.
My point is this: The Daily should endeavor to delve into issues with a fair, educated and evenhanded stance. Go ahead and write about negative aspects of hacking. But make sure you know enough about the subject, giving an equal amount of coverage to the other side of the story.
Annie Tomlin
LSA sophomore
To the Daily:
Regarding the viewpoint "MSA has improved 'U' student life"
Getting rid of the Wok Express is not an accomplishment.
It has reduced the choices available to North Campus students. Perhaps it wasn't the greatest food available, but it was a choice.
What will be the next "accomplishment" of MSA? Getting rid of the parking spots at the back of the lot because they are too far away?
MSA has had a direct impact on my student life. A negative one.
Tony Wesley
Rackham
To the Daily:
I always thought that the whole point of a letter to the editor was to address the editor of a paper with concerns or comments. Since when has it become an arena for arguing back and forth between authors of letters? Unless someone is looking for a little piece of glory (as may be the case in the angry engineers upset about someone correcting Pi) why not just send them an e-mail telling them how unhappy you are with them. Must we read everyone's bickering everyday? People can just go on the X.500 and search for someone's e-mail address and write them. I guess if you must, you could forward it to all your friends to show them how cool you are for insulting someone or disagreeing with their ideas. For once, I wish the Daily would publish letters to the editor. It would be a nice change from the constant fighting and chastising of individuals.
Paul Michael Jenkins
LSA first-year student
04-21-98
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