Letters to the Editor

Educational subjects determined by class

Mark Carpowich's Monday column, "Shakur upstages Shakespeare in Lit class," misses the point of a classical education in the humanities.

The reason Shakespeare is taught more often than Tupac Shakur, and Vladimir Lenin more often than John Lennon is because of class, not the quality or relevance of the poetry or philosophy propounded.

The main function of a university or college is to provide a class of workers who will have in common certain values and a worldview based on shared experiences. Colleges and universities mostly crank out upper-midlevel worker drones, and they are expected to be conversant with the culture preferred by their wealthy, upper-class masters.

The wealthiest people, although they may understand them only superficially, like bastions of cultural integrity and solid tradition. Hence the large number of gray heads over expensive suits you will find at the Guthrie or the Ordway on any given evening. This is so that before the board meeting, Mr. Jones, the junior vice-president for marketing, can say to Mr. Smith, the senior vice-president, that yes he did see the Guthrie's latest production of the Scottish play. Their common interest will perhaps form the basis of a promotion for Mr. Jones some day.

It is, after all, not what you know, but who you know that matters. Mr. Snead, who smokes pot in the janitor closet while listening to classic rock as the foundation of his philosophy, knows nothing about the ins and outs of the culture in the boardroom. Certainly he has a kind of wisdom, but rightly or wrongly, it is not the kind that is economically --and hence socially -- valued.

As Judas Priest put it, "Out there is a fortune waiting to be had, you think I'll let it go, you're mad, you've got another thing coming." College in particular, and education in general, are a step on the social and professional ladder. By choosing not to be interested in the ideas of the ruling class, lots of people like Mr. Carpowich exclude themselves forever from power and close doors they never even realized were open.

If you know both Shakespeare and Shakur, you can decide Shakespeare is dumb and not worth it. If the doors are closed, let it not be from ignorance, but conscious choice.

Wolfe Molitor,civil service employee, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research

Muslim students clarify position

This letter is in response to the Khalid Kader's Monday letter, "Accusations against devout are not new." Khalid issued a challenge to us, the Muslim Students Association.

We would like to make our position clear to Khalid and everyone else. In Islam, homosexuality is not acceptable and is a moral sin.

We support that statement. The current issue of the fees is an issue we will not discuss.

Muhammad Elrashidi,sophomore, College of Liberal Arts,president, Muslim Students Association

Oppose fees, but be honest about reasons

I write in response to Khalid Kader's Monday letter, "Accusations against devout are not new."

While those who disagree with funding of the gay and lesbian group on campus should not be forced to pay that part of their student service fee, I find Kader's argument in defense of his and Jessie Roos' position to be a bit disingenuous. Kader said, "I submit that she doesn't disagree with who you are, but rather with what you do."

Prominent figures in Christianity and Islam and other powerful religions have created beliefs that implicitly or explicitly call for harming and even killing gay men and lesbians. It is because of such institutionalized homophobia that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people need a safe haven like the Queer Student Cultural Center. If these religions were ever as benevolent or loving as Kader claims, the center would not have been necessary in the first place.

I do think some other system needs to be created to fund such programs, because people like Kader shouldn't have to pay for them if they are offended. But whatever argument you use, don't sugarcoat your intentions. Acknowledge them for what they are, as sad as they may be.

Joshua Waterman,senior, College of Liberal Arts

Fees issue akin to religious freedom

In response to Khalid Kader's Monday letter, "Accusations against devout are not new," regarding the current student services fees lawsuit, I feel that certain comparisons might balance the perspective on this issue.

Kader states that it is out of concern that the religious say "Stop, you're doing wrong" to those in the Queer Student Cultural Center. I have spent many long hours listening to members of a Christian organization plead that Muslim and Jewish friends of mine convert to Christianity in order "to live a good life." But my friends do not convert because they are and were Muslim and Jewish. Of course, the argument was not against them being who they are, but against them doing certain things -- leading lives of Muslim and Jewish faith.

This brings me to my second point. Kader estimates that the argument against these student centers is based not on who they are, but what they do. This is the same basis, as I understand it, for the barring of Muslim or other religious students from praying in public high schools.

The argument again is not with them being Muslim, but with them doing Muslim things while on the public school's time and property. But is a Muslim who does not pray still a Muslim? I would contend both that these students should be allowed to pray in school and that the specialized student organizations cited in the lawsuit should be present on campus. They should have access to campus resources because they serve certain segments of the student population. That said, I believe a compromise should be possible on this clearly contentious and very personal issue.

Peter Fisk,student, post-secondary enrollment program