King would disagree with Affirmative Action

Once again, Penn State vehemently celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day and, at the same time, clings to its racist Affirmative Action policies.

Apparently, the University forgot that Martin Luther King said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

An article in the Nov. 12 edition of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported minority enrollment at Penn State increased 6.5 percent last fall. Total minority enrollment is 9.5 percent.

Who are these numbers important to? They are important to the University administrators who feel that socially engineering the demographic make-up of this University, through quotas and preferences, is a high priority.

In the Tribune-Review article, James Stewart, vice provost for educational equity, said, "We're certainly pleased with the upward trend (in minority enrollment), but at the same time we recognize that there is room for improvement."

This quote blatantly implies the racial quota mentality present within the University administration. Because Stewart feels "there is room for improvement," he must not believe the current 9.5 percent minority enrollment level is high enough. This 9.5 percent represents nothing less than the base figure of a racial quota.

The article also quoted Stewart as saying, "We haven't yet achieved a reputation (with blacks), and we know we have to work harder. . .and it's tougher with African-American students because we have a lot of competition in Pennsylvania, as well as outside Pennsylvania."

This quote illustrates the University's racial preference ideology. It appears the University is actively competing against other universities to recruit black students simply because these students are black.

Does the University allocate resources toward recruiting white students simply because they are white? This represents nothing less than a racial preference.

Penn State Young Americans for Freedom believes that potential students should be judged entirely on their skills and academic record. An individual's race should have no bearing on whether or not he or she is able to attend Penn State.

In November 1995, in front of Schwab Auditorium, University President Graham Spanier asked students to "Take A Stand" against racism in the Penn State community. I find it interesting that Spanier has yet to take a stand against the institutional racism (Affirmative Action) in his own administration.

Brad Park
Penn State Young Americans for Freedom

'Perverted sculpture'desecrates Virgin Mary

As a Catholic, I too am offended by Christine Enedy's disgusting, perverted sculpture of the Blessed Virgin Mother Mary.

If Enedy feels the Catholic Church oppresses its female members, she is certainly entitled to believe that. However, why would she portray this belief by making a sculpture of Jesus Christ's mother coming out of the bleeding female genitals? Why Mary? How does this relate to Catholic oppression of women and feminism? I would just like to hear how she correlates the two. Then again, I would probably be even more upset after hearing her explanation.

Jesus Christ is the center of Christianity. Christians believe that Old Testament scripture was fulfilled through Jesus. He is believed to be God's son, who was divine, yet human; who was to come to redeem the world (hence the celebration of Christmas).

If Jesus was human, He obviously had parents. God was His father. Of all the women in the world at the time, God chose a young, poor Jewish girl to be the mother of this child. Mary was "the chosen one".

It is believed Mary was a virgin who conceived Jesus "by the power of the Holy Spirit". How often has that ever happened in the history of this world?

That is why Mary the Blessed Holy Virgin Mother is such a sacred, significant person in Christianity.

Of all the Christian denominations out there, Catholics are probably the most known for emphasizing great reverence and respect to Mary. That is why my friend Father Leo Arnone and the Penn State Catholic Community are upset by Enedy's art work.

And as a side note, Catholics do not worship Mary, nor is she believed to be divine -- contrary to what you may have heard. In fact, Gary Cattell, the Willard Preacher, has openly accused Catholics of worshipping Mary, which is why he thinks all Catholics are going to hell.

At any rate, yes, Enedy has a right to her opinions and beliefs, as well as the right to express them. But to take a sacred, religious person and target him or her in a totally disgusting, perverted portrayal is unacceptable. I feel she could've used better taste in conveying such a message.

Hypothetically and similarly, if I made off-color artwork involving King David of Israel just because I disagreed with something in the Jewish faith, I would be out of line. Furthermore, I would expect Tuvia Abramson and his Jewish organization Hillel to be offended by it. Rightfully so!

It's a shame that something and someone so beautiful is desecrated to the extreme just to make a simple statement.

Michael C. Lombardo
senior-human development and family studies

Hypersensitive artists would mean no art

Penn State's administration has received national criticism of late for permitting the public display of a controversial work of art.

One local critic accused the administration of hypocrisy, saying that while tolerance of diversity is stated policy, alleged blasphemy guised as art is still permitted.

This argument assumes the artist or administration was intolerant of someone or something, yet where is the evidence?

Tolerance of diverse expression on campus means social commentary is encouraged, not that everyone limits their thought and expression to the prison of political correctness.

Sensitivity is a different issue than diversity though, and it is less easily addressed. Critics of Andres Serrano's Piss Christ consider it a defamation while others (including myself) find it to be inspired by earnest faith.

If artists were to replace such profound inspiration with hypersensitivity, there would simply be no art.

Far be it from me to understand Enedy's sculpture as perfectly as her critics claim to (although I did see the work). I believe my own appreciation of her art reveals more about my prejudice and limited life experience than the artist's intentions. Perhaps this is the power of artistry.

Steve Norman
graduate student geography