Losing Our Moral Compass

STAFF EDITORIAL

PHOTO COURTESY KRT CAMPUS

With the re-election of President Bush, several issues regarding America’s role in the world have come into the spotlight.

The issue of morals became a focal point for Bush and his right-wing cronies, and has been forced down our throats by these people.

The mere mention of morals can incite passionate reactions. Even from a religious standpoint, morality is somewhat subjective. As we continue to engage in bloody conflict in Iraq, perhaps it is time we collectively examine our moral standing in the world.

Bush ideologues will suggest that it is our moral duty to “spread democracy” throughout the Middle East, but their reasons for freeing Iraq have changed more frequently than the weather in New England. Conveniently, Bush’s supporters never seem to question their own morality while altering statements in order to justify war.

Could it be that Bush is lying to us? Or could it be a result of this nation’s lack of morals in refusing to hold those in power to higher standards? Both are fair questions, but the latter may just be an important one to consider for those of us who oppose the actions of the current administration.

In fairness to the President, he is not the only leader whose morals are questionable. Many who possess power engage in immoral behavior. The business antics of Enron come to mind. The arrogance and audacity displayed by some athletes, who are role models to many, also raise questions about moral responsibility.

And what more can we say about politicians? Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., jumped on the bandwagon at the Democratic National Convention saying, “make no mistake, this is a war of values.” Meaning what? Our values are better than those of the Middle East? Our politicians continue to lead us down a slippery slope. Perhaps the most immoral action is forcing a way of life on another culture and whitewashing any questions by claiming moral
superiority.

Major corporations are equally culpable in their antics. Outsourcing jobs, lying and misleading the public for profit are just a few examples.

In these cantankerous times, it is up to us to collectively hold accountable those in power and refuse to buy into the propaganda they espouse. Remaining willfully ignorant and allowing atrocities to happen right under our noses is a sure recipe for moral failure.

Those who use empty rhetoric and a pretense of morals to justify the actions of deceitful leaders are a detriment to any true moral progression.

Winning the War Against Hatred

BY STEVE MOWLES
Editor

Everywhere we look, a new outbreak of the vile infection called racism seems to break out somewhere new.

Darfur, Bosnia, Rwanda … there seems little hope to cure this disease that has caused countless deaths and misery.

Like any disease, the original infection (hatred) may go unnoticed while it incubates and gains strength. Children may be exposed to toxic ideas in their homes, on the schoolyard or from what they pick up in the media. They may witness hateful, fearful or ignorant actions. While some of this may be blatant racism, the subtler forms of bias that creep into our psyche can be equally damaging.

It is these quiet forms of racism that can keep us forever locked up in prisons of fear, indifference and ignorance. These attitudes contribute to the misery inflicted on those who have committed no crime except being the person they were born to be.

Most people would agree that bigotry and stereotyping are wrong. Yet, sometimes there is that small voice of fear or contempt that fights for dominion over our souls. It is on this battleground that the war against hatred begins. Armed with honesty, counsel and education, winning these smaller battles is the key to freedom from prejudice.

As we look through our bookshelves, what do we see? Is it mostly white, male authors? Where are the other voices? It is the subtle racism of disinterest that has kept the words of women and people of color away from our eyes. To ignore these other views is a staggering defeat. It is our diversity that keeps us strong; it is cultural chauvinism that makes us weak.

There is a cure for the plague of racism and it starts with a healthy dose of honest self-evaluation. What better way to celebrate Black History Month than to look deep within ourselves, beyond issues of black and white, to see what prejudices we harbor that hold us back from wholeness and stifle the growth of mankind. As James Baldwin wrote, “Hatred never failed to destroy the man who hated.”

COMING IN

Faculty Poll

Have you ever been profiled on a teacher-rating website?

Yes: 70% (7 out of 10)

No: 30% (3 out of 10)

es. “I think it’s disgusting, it stinks. People who are not students can review teachers. The website is evil … stupid. It can be used by anybody; it doesn’t have to be a student. It can be the same student 14 times. It’s insane.”
Daniel Brown, English

Yes. “I think that it’s important that students share information with one another about teachers. I think that it’s great that students have found a forum that they are able to share that with. At the same time I think that there is also a lot of room for abuse in that kind of process.”
Linda Bacon, biology

ON THE RECORD

What cartoon character is most like you?

Tobias Smith

“Ralph, from ‘Rich Griffin’ because he is a surfer dude like me.”

Nick Tasooji

“Brian, the dog from ‘Family Guy,’ because he is an alcoholic.”

Tanika Ingram

“Jane, from ‘Daria,’ because of her spunky attitude.”

Tom Loed

“The checkered Demon, because he reminds me of my father.”

Michael Stebbings

“Michelangelo, from ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,’ because he has the same name. He is a party dude and loves pizza and he is the oldest.”

Marcus Bailey

“Spawn, because he was torn between heaven and hell but got his power from hell but won’t go there.”