LETTERS: Too much talk about race relations at Penn

To the Editor: I did not come to this university to have to deal with the issue of race relations. Frankly, at a school that is supposed to reflect the best that this country has to offer, none of this should even be an issue. I am so tired of hearing stories about black this and white that. When was the last time there was any mention of someone just being a person? Four hundred years ago, Shakespeare wrote in The Merchant of Venice: "If you prick us, do we not bleed?" I am fairly certain that if you were to prick anyone here, you could expect to see blood issue forth from the wound. As intelligent as we are all supposed to be, one would think we would understand that skin color is not an issue. A person is a person. There is absolutely no reason to say blacks should not live in DuBois house. Why? Because there should be no need for them to feel they must stay together. And there shouldn't be any reason any student can claim that the University needs more blacks. The University is supposed to admit students based upon intellect and achievement, not the color of their skin. People are not a skin color. Color does not have emotion, it does not think. The only purpose color serves is to enhance the visual environment in which we live. Placing blame and pointing fingers is absurd. How can a black student at Penn honestly say some white student he or she has never met is in some way responsible for his or her family being treated unfairly because they are black? This kind of logic would lead a white student to believe the black student in his or her class was in some way responsible for some of the recent on-campus hold-ups. This is clearly not the case. It's about time people stop all of this race-related hoopla. Instead of forming minority councils and pro-(insert color here) organizations, all of the effort that would go and currently is going into these organizations should be redirected to unify students under the umbrella of humankind. All other efforts are counterproductive and lead more to disunity than if we were all to ignore each other. Philip Jason Wharton '99 Failing to share To the Editor: Following recent acts of violence, the University has assumed the identity of an institution under siege. But when the enormously wealthy and powerful, second-largest employer in the nation's fifth-largest city fails to share with its neighbors as they become so desperately impoverished as to be willing to murder for pocket change, is the characterization of "victim" legitimate? Is it really surprising that members of the poor community are driven to violence agatinst the Penn community, when administrators pocket salaries an entire order of magnitude greater than those of the University's hourly wage-earners and then flee each evening to posh suburban homes? And how can the neighborhood's poor not feel humiliated and enraged, year after year facing the spectacle of Penn's extravagant construction projects and the relentless parade of prosperous Ivy Leaguers flaunting expensive clothes and fine automobiles? What is the true role of any university, if not to improve the general human condition? While calling itself an institution of "higher learning," Penn efficiently generates and monopolizes tremendous resources for the benefit of a privileged few. In doing so, the University commits criminal neglect and exploitation of arguably homicidal proportions. Researcher Vladimir Sled was the victim of two killers: one, human beings driven to desperation, and second, the ivory tower itself. The University offered $10,000 to any person who could produce the first killer, who is to stand trial for murder, while simultaneously acting as a scapegoat for all the destruction caused by the second killer. Of course, Penn has all the de jure legitimacy it needs to simply bolster its police force and conduct business as usual? but then again, the University's motto is Leges sine moribus vanae (Laws without morals are in vain). Benjamin Daruti College of General Studies '91 West Philadelphia resident On proper usage To the Editor: The editorial "Parents just don't understand" (DP, 11/19/96) made several important points germane to the ongoing discussion of addressing crime in West Philadelphia and campus safety. However, it also perpetuated the erroneous use ofthe word urban (e.g., "Urbanity, imperfect as it is, comes in the University package."). This word, derived from urbane, refers to refinement, elegance and courtesy. It should not be confused with words referring to characteristics ofthe city and city life, which are derived from urban. This incorrect usage has unfortunately -- and repeatedly -- detracted from the forcefulness of otherwise strong editorials and Letters to the Editor. Mori Insinger Sociology Graduate Student Short-sighted stance To the Editor: Seasonal campus decoration is important. Your editorial "Creating real change" (DP, 11/20/96) was dismissive and short-sighted. Penn's atmosphere must improve immediately and decisively. It is unacceptable that most students are frightened to come out at night. Creating and enhancing nightlife on campus has many components, but one is certainly the atmosphere. As the savviest retailers in the world know, holiday lighting and decoration have a real and material impact on the public's attitude. Pedestrian traffic increases, people's spirits are lifted. The appearance of festivity and action promote nightlife. You believe that new change machines in laundry rooms or round the clock access to fitness equipment "have real potential to produce Penn pride." Do you get out much? While they are certainly nice attributes, they have little bearing on making the campus an exciting place to be in the evenings, a place that draws people out. The emphasis on nightlife must be a paramount concern for the University. The Admissions Office needs a campus that looks and feels like a fun place to be. Seasonal decorations are an inexpensive method of influencing how students and visitors feel about Penn. Bring on the lights, mistletoe and ribbon -- and let's go out. Bill Hoffman College '81 Applause on safety To the Editor: Leaving my dorm room one recent night to put up fliers around campus, I was a bit nervous. I had heard the many complaints about the lack of security. Would my bike and I be safe? Like many students, I threw caution to the wind and set out on a solo tour of the campus, stapler in hand. I was astounded to see dozens of security guards scattered around everywhere! Knowing I had company wherever I went on campus made me feel a lot better. I would like to extend a thank you to University President Judith Rodin and the rest of the administration for their efforts to increase safety on campus. Daniel Slawe College '98