Letters to the Editor

Article was historically inaccurate

To the Daily:
Peter Romer-Friedman is, of course, free to oppose the actions of anti-racist militants who came out to stop the Ku Klux Klan on May 9 as demonstrated in his article, "Affirmative action vital to 'U' welfare" (9/8/98). But Romer-Friedman is wrong to say that such a position is in keeping with the traditions of the Civil Rights Movement. Such a conclusion could only be reached by a thoroughly dishonest revision of history.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was, of course, a committed pacifist. But this did not mean that he opposed confronting racism in a direct and very militant manner. Quite the contrary, King believed that it was wrong to turn away from and ignore racism.

Additionally, to imply, as Romer-Friedman does, that King and his ideology of pacifism was representative of the entire Civil Rights Movement is incorrect. As the Civil Rights Movement came under increased attacks from both law enforcement and fascist groups, many in the movement began to both advocate and organize for armed self-defense. The Black Panther Party, of course, fits into this category, but so do a wide array of other groups including Deacons for Defense, which was a group of black clergy who organized their congregations into armed guards to combat racist terror.

Romer-Friedman's statement that even Malcolm X came around to pacifism is completely false. It is true that in the later stages of his life, Malcolm X recognized forms of political action that were non-violent in nature, but that could be said about him at any point in the politically active portion of his life. At no point during his political life did Malcolm X ever renounce his belief that blacks must defend themselves and their communities against racist assaults.

All of this eventually comes back to the question of anti-racists who tried to stop the Klan in Ann Arbor this past May. Many do not realize that the Klan and other fascist groups are growing in the United States and yes, they are committing real acts of terror. The most obvious example of such actions is the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City by white supremacist Timothy McVeigh. When compared to that act, the actions of anti-Klan protesters - attempting to halt recruitment by fascist groups - is quite defensible.

Romer-Friedman and others might not like the tactics of the anti-Klan demonstrators who are now facing state repression, but to say that they are not in the tradition of the Civil Rights Movement is incorrect. History has shown that the way to stop fascist groups and their terror is not to ignore them or outlaw them, but rather to organize directly against them. Those who try to stop fascist recruitment are right to do so, and militant actions - mostly non-violent but not always - are also needed in the defense of affirmative action and other social gains. Affirmative action did not come about as the result of a benevolent government, but rather as a response to social struggles. Presently, the rebirth of such struggles is needed to protect affirmative action and other gains as well as to stop fascist groups and their genocidal intentions.

Micah Holmquist
LSA junior

Amazin' Blue's success was overlooked

For us die-hard a cappella fans, New York was our Pasadena. Family, friends and alumni were there in full force, on our feet and waving our Michigan flags high as our Wolverine team took the stage. This was classy Carnegie Hall, but the atmosphere was no less electric, nor was Amazin' Blue's performance. From the dynamic cover of "867-5309 - Jenny" that got the crowd on its feet to the favorite "Time After Time" that brought the house to absolute silence and appreciation for the group's emotion and beautiful sound, Amazin' Blue never failed to impress.

Although the group did not bring home top honors, Jim Daly won the award for Best Soloist and proud Michigan fans left knowing that they were well represented. It was unmistakably one of the most unforgettable nights of my life, and I look forward to seeing them again at Carnegie next year.

Michael Newberry
Engineering senior

Stadium renovations undermine tradition

To the Daily:
I am interested in knowing how the student body has reacted to the changes to Michigan Stadium. Without a doubt, the addition of seating to accommodate the undergraduates' requests is an improvement. And, to a degree, the new scoreboards and TV monitors have taken the audio/visuals of the stadium into the future. But do we really need a block-'M' the size of Crisler on the back of each of them?

It is the exterior that has me and many of my fellow alums very perplexed. Until now, the University has maintained a high standard of tradition and class when it comes to the image we portray to the world. We are a world-renowned university with an unbelievably successful athletic department - the combination of which I challenge anyone to find anywhere else.

The renovation that Athletic Director Tom Goss has promoted has somewhat diminished that class. The ostentatious yellow "halo" with blue letters that frankly look like the wrong size because they are slightly bigger than the "halo" do not portray what our program is all about. Is this what winning a national championship does to a classy university? The beauty of understated grandeur and class have been replaced by the loud and ridiculous.

As an alumna of the marching band and season ticket holder, I feel that Goss has somewhat sold our tradition and class to the world of hype and marketing. Michigan has done very well throughout the history of college football until now without the glitz and glamour of a "halo," thank you very much.

As a vice president of an interior architecture firm, I would like to suggest an idea to Goss: Less is more. Let's remove the gigantic blue letters so that they do not overshadow the beauty and class of Michigan Stadium.

Let me know what you and your classmates think about this. At this moment, the joy of last year's national championship has been destroyed by the buy in to the media spotlight and an apathetic football team and coaches.

Here's to a victory over Eastern Michigan University. Go Blue!

Jennifer Hartline
University alumna

09-15-98