LETTERS: Taking time to celebrate MLK

To the Editor: But if the University wants to ensure a "PC" environment to such an extreme degree, then it must do so in a consistent manner. Yesterday marked the national observance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. King was one of the most influential American men, let alone men of color, in the past century. His crusade against racial oppression and his contributions to the advancement of minorities in this country most certainly deserve to be honored by the University. Penn scheduled two days off in the fall over Columbus day. Surely it can afford one day for King. How can an institution that so fervently follows his dogma deny the man this respect? This is an unacceptable contradiction. The University should cancel all Monday classes so students can actually attend the seminars and lectures that pay tribute to King's memory. A holiday should not be ignored just because it interferes with class time. If need be, Penn should extend the semester one day, and thus no one will feel cheated of a class. One thing is quite clear, this University cannot continue to maintain such a contradictory stance in its otherwise liberal ideology. It cannot only promote liberalism when it is convenient to do so. Steven Scharf College '00