LETTERS: Keep Elian in the U.S.

To the Editor: But the father of Elian Gonzalez is not concerned with the economic and political situation in Cuba. Neither are his relatives. They are concerned with the well-being of this 6-year-old boy. The U.S. child custody laws are designed to protect exactly that. However, sending the boy back to Cuba alone would not be a typical case for our legal system. The INS does not normally deport 6-year-old boys alone on an airplane. American custody cases expect a father to appear in court to prove that he is at least responsible enough to care for a child. The Cuban exile community and certain congressmen have been criticized for not allowing this family to be reunited. Ironically, the Cuban government, although standing directly in the way of this reunion, has not been criticized for its lack of cooperation. In this case, the father has not applied for a visa to come get his beloved son, as the Cuban government will not allow him to claim his son on free soil. Castro fears that the father will attempt to seek refuge in the United States, thus losing a great political battle. So I ask, should Elian be sent back to a country that stands in the way of reuniting a father and son for its own political gain? Philip Riveron College '02 The writer is treasurer of the Cuban-American Undergraduate Student Association. To the Editor: I agree with the points that Chris Beals ("Resource center a poor use of space," DP, 1/19/00) makes regarding the UA's ratification of a proposal to create a space for an Asian-American resource center. However, I would like to expand on his concluding point where he states that the UA should "create a World center where all different cultural groups can learn about their common heritage." A World center is an excellent idea. Rather than separating Penn students into groups based on their ethnicity, there should be a common area where all students can learn about and help others learn about the richness of their heritage, whether it be Japanese, Indian, Hungarian, Turkish, Peruvian, Kenyan or just plain old American. There would be a common area for meetings, performances and special events. Students would be able to mix and experience the diversity of America on a common ground. As Beals points out, an Asian-American Center would draw largely Asians to use it, thus not really benefiting the University as a whole. A World center could be used by all, and more people would attend events -- after all, wouldn't you feel much more comfortable watching a performance on common ground than in a house that belongs to a group with which you are not affiliated? Penn is a place for a wide variety of people. We should take advantage of the diversity while we are here, not separate ourselves from others who have a different background. Penn should work for unity, not segregation or division. Marion Huie College '00