Multiculturalism lacking among staff

I read the front-page story "Macalester re-examining multicultural admissions" (The Mac Weekly, April 18) with hope that multiculturalism might soon get the attention worthy of its historic value. However, after reading the article, it seems that Macalester is still treating it as a second-class value, not worth the money or the manpower needed to actually produce results. If multiculturalism isn't close to what it should be in the student body, then it is light years away from meaning anything to the staff at Macalester. Weyerhaeuser is possibly the whitest building on campus, especially after the recent departure of Richard Ammons and Donna Nicholson. If we are to discuss the status of multiculturalism at Macalester, then we need to know the raw facts about admission, attrition and graduation of domestic students of color. Discussion—open and public, not quietly and mostly to myself—is needed, or else multiculturalism will remain a dead dogma.

Ilya Winham '03
 

Election spam should be banned

This year's student body president candidates, Ms. McDonough and Ms. King, have achieved the status of cheap Viagra and internet porn. They are all now filtered into the trash in my e-mail.

After my 28th pleading e-mail from the candidates or supporters, their status was downgraded from "maybe I'll read it eventually" to "directly in the trash." Some were deceptive, coming in as "important notices" from someone in MacDems or MacIraq; but soon those too were tossed and dirty looks were given to those who abused the lists. The crowning jewel was someone who sent out an appeal on a class e-mail list. I don't think that class lists were created to spread spam, but I could be wrong.

Therefore, I have a proposal with two options. Option 1: MCSG bans e-mail campaigning, giving it the same penalty as other illegal campaign tactics. Option 2: The addresses of people who send out e-mail pleas are sent to the distributors of those Viagra and porn ads.

Mike Ring '04
 

Response to Mayton and LaZelle

In response to Joey Mayton: If I had meant 'nationalism' rather than 'patriotism,' I would have said so. Thanks for the help, but I am quite aware of the differences between the two, and yes, I am opposed to Patriotism. One of my main points of contention with the mainstream anti-war movement is that I do not want to be included in mass reactive patriotism. I should be able to determine for myself where I stand rather than being told by others. You do not have the right to tell me that I am a patriot by imposing your definition on me. While many may argue that patriotism can have positive effects I maintain that it is dangerous because it requires a process of otherization that lends itself to becoming nationalism. I respect anyone else's right to be patriotic. But I do not love my country and I am not more loyal to the American people than to any other people.

In response to Katie LaZelle: I agree one-hundred percent that Americans should not deny the level to which they have are privileged because of their nationality. My exact words in the opinion piece published on April 11th were 'I may be American but I am ashamed to admit it.' Nowhere did I deny my nationality, nor that I am in a position of privilege because of my status as a student at Macalester College. What I do deny is that my nationality means I have to support or love my country. I believe that people in positions of privilege are most responsible for keeping a critical eye on the sources of their privilege. As far as squirt gun assassination, I participated in the game because I have a sense of humor. Leftists don't have to be killjoys. In regards to the issue of drug use at Macalester, where the hell did that come from? Was it an implication that I am a pothead, or a coke addict? I assure that I am neither. You have not pinned me down at all, but for Christ's sake, what a strange way to end a letter.

Luce Guillén-Givins '06
 

Pagan celebration of spring on May 1

We, the crazy pagans-and-allies of Macalester, invite you—students, staff, faculty, and friends—to join us in a public celebration of the arrival of spring, Thursday May 1. We will be starting with a procession through campus at noon, ending up at the lawn outside the Campus Center for an open ritual. There will be music, maypole dancing and face painting.

May 1, Beltaine, is one of the high points of the pagan ritual year. It celebrates fertility—sexual, emotional, spiritual, magical and intellectual. We worship Pan, dancing barefoot in the fields; we sing with Persephone; we invoke the spirits of air, fire, water and earth to bless and welcome us among their number. And even more than that, we throw a hell of a party.

If you are interested in what MAAS does or want further information on various other traditions or groups, feel free to visit the website at http://www22.brink-ster.com/maas2. Or you can get in touch with one of the organization chairs for next term: Megan Van Dyke (mvandyke@macalester.edu), Matt O'Connor (moconnor@maca-lester.edu), or Ryan Kordsmeier (smallkordy@aol.com). For those interested in helping out or those wanting more specifics on Beltaine, there will be a planning meeting held Sunday, April 27 at 10 p.m. in the basement of Kirk 2.

Satya Peterson '02
Jana Thomas '03
Megan van Dyke '05
 

A second look at wind power
 

The Star Tribune carried a long commentary article in a recent edition, ("Westrom bill is wrong for state's energy future", Rep. Jean Wagenius and Rep. Lyle Koenen,. April 22) to promote windpower. That position has a pleasant ring to it; but it requires a second review.

In brief, windpower:

1. Is not a "renewable" or sustainable source of alternative energy
2. Has either minor emissions benefit or claims are dubious
3. Has widespread serious land and environmental consequences
4. Is prospering only because of extensive federal and state subsidies
5. Is an energy sink using more energy than it generates

In short, windcommerce blows air in the wrong energy direction.

I recommend consulting the windpower section at the Minnesotans for Sustainability website (http://www.mnforsustain.org/windpower.htm) for excellent windpower studies.

The capital invested and price increases evident in windcommerce would lead to a more sustainable future using modern efficient coal technologies.

Dell Erickson

Minneapolis