To the Editor: Meanwhile, teams continue to practice in the atrocious conditions of the Hollenback Annex, which was obsolete before I was born. The fact that Penn, which prides itself on its athletic prowess, can tout all of its new improvements and blatantly disregard a real problem is simply horrible. We are now seeing a brand new baseball stadium and new bleachers for Rhodes Field, yet there has not been an ounce of energy spent on the search for a field house site. Perhaps the scariest figure is that the Penn men's and women's indoor track teams have 21 Ivy League titles in indoor track between them, without the services of a place to train inside. Does someone have to donate millions of dollars before something gets done? Joshua Seeherman SEAS '01 The need for action To the Editor: Here is a different viewpoint than either Malik Wilson ("Sighing and smiling today," DP, 2/24/99) or Mark Fiore ("Reward merit, not skin color," DP, 2/8/99) regarding affirmative action. It remains unfair to choose the minority student over the majority student with almost equal academic abilities. It is, nonetheless, a necessary policy until minority students can compete effectively. But why would I support such a policy? Affirmative action doesn't help me. My ancestors and I have no history of repression, nothing to feel bad about In an era where discrimination has been reduced significantly, I think many are upset that they are "paying" for the sins of their ancestors. I try to remind myself, though, of the atrocities that have been committed. I accept affirmative action. I accept being passed over, if need be, for a minority. I accept that my children will probably be under the same policy. I hope that they come to the same realization. In summary, both Malik and Mark belong here. Affirmative action is essential for our struggle for peaceful habitation as a human race. We are not atoning for past inhumanities; we are gradually transforming an unequal system to equality. I realize the sacrifice is nowhere close to minority sacrifices. And I don't have to like it but I must and will accept it. Justin Weiner College '02To the Editor: While your front-page article reported that the University has been making significant strides in improving recreational facilities, it is still ignoring the one glaring need, an indoor track ("U. to upgrade recreational space," The Daily Pennsylvanian, 2/24/99). We have heard for a year now that the University is considering upgrading Gimbel or perhaps the construction of a facility at the Post Office site. Meanwhile, teams continue to practice in the atrocious conditions of the Hollenback Annex, which was obsolete before I was born. The fact that Penn, which prides itself on its athletic prowess, can tout all of its new improvements and blatantly disregard a real problem is simply horrible. We are now seeing a brand new baseball stadium and new bleachers for Rhodes Field, yet there has not been an ounce of energy spent on the search for a field house site. Perhaps the scariest figure is that the Penn men's and women's indoor track teams have 21 Ivy League titles in indoor track between them, without the services of a place to train inside. Does someone have to donate millions of dollars before something gets done? Joshua Seeherman SEAS '01 The need for action To the Editor: Here is a different viewpoint than either Malik Wilson ("Sighing and smiling today," DP, 2/24/99) or Mark Fiore ("Reward merit, not skin color," DP, 2/8/99) regarding affirmative action. It remains unfair to choose the minority student over the majority student with almost equal academic abilities. It is, nonetheless, a necessary policy until minority students can compete effectively. But why would I support such a policy? Affirmative action doesn't help me. My ancestors and I have no history of repression, nothing to feel bad about In an era where discrimination has been reduced significantly, I think many are upset that they are "paying" for the sins of their ancestors. I try to remind myself, though, of the atrocities that have been committed. I accept affirmative action. I accept being passed over, if need be, for a minority. I accept that my children will probably be under the same policy. I hope that they come to the same realization. In summary, both Malik and Mark belong here. Affirmative action is essential for our struggle for peaceful habitation as a human race. We are not atoning for past inhumanities; we are gradually transforming an unequal system to equality. I realize the sacrifice is nowhere close to minority sacrifices. And I don't have to like it but I must and will accept it. Justin Weiner College '02
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