Oracle Online

As the number of students of color steadily decline, tuition goes up, minority scholarships or scholarships for non-traditional students decrease or fail to increase, curriculum changes little, adjuncts increase, etc.

When I sat down to write this it was the lack of coverage in this publication that was my immediate concern. It began with Black History Month in February. The Oracle did it not publish PRIDE’s calendar for the month, it neglected to report on the history of Blacks at Hamline, current events that were relevant, or anything else that might go any distance in bridging the gulf that separates, acknowledge or not, on our campus.

It was my distinct honor and pleasure to participate in the Tribute to August Wilson, Remembering the Legacy, Lighting the Way on Feb. 23, 2006, in concert with many others on campus. It was by far not only the most important event of my experience here at Hamline, but perhaps of my life, short of the birth of my daughter. Hamline had a very special relationship with one of the greatest American playwrights ever to grace the stage. The majority of his award-winning work was created here in St. Paul. I submitted an article outlining this vital rapport to the Oracle for publication to be published just before the tribute. Instead of the article, the photo ran. Even after it was heralded as one of the finest hours on Hamline’s campus, little was written about it or any other of the many events that celebrated our legacy. This caused me to reflect about how and when our voices are heard, if ever, on this campus.

Are students of color to believe that the only time we are able to get space is in Race Files?

This has been a year of difficult times for African-America, the loss of so many greats: August Wilson, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Kirby Puckett, Gordon Parks.

Is there so little to say? Gordon Parks, the first Black filmmaker to shoot a film with a major studio, a writer, a journalist, a photographer, a director, a composer, died at the age of 93 a few weeks ago. Although he was born in Kansas, he moved to the Twin Cities to live with his sister and brother upon the death of his mother as a teenager. Will there be a story about his legacy?

This is our home too, at least for four years or so, and perhaps by telling our stories more often, or letting us tell them, more of us might actually look at Hamline as a place where we too can come to be nurtured, affirmed and found.

Lurelia Freeman
Post-Bac Student

Student veteran concerned

I am writing this letter in response to David Lueth’s piece entitled, “Make Peace, Not Ribbons.” First off, I would like to commend Lueth for bringing up the fact that soldiers overseas do need body armor, armored vehicles and more entertainment. A soldier’s job is difficult, and having the essential gear is paramount during a war campaign. However, there are several points throughout the piece that made me question the validity of the argument.

First, the yellow ribbons that adorn many vehicles these days are symbols that people do support the troops. I cannot imagine one would think a person unpatriotic because they do not have a ribbon on their vehicle. Often those ribbons are sold on or near military bases to the friends and families of deployed soldiers. On several occasions I have asked the vendors if the profits will go to support our servicemen and women overseas. Each time the answer has been “yes.” The profits are used to send care packages containing snacks, hygiene items and other comforts, to our men and women overseas.

Secondly, I was appalled when Lueth compared our current troops to the Nazi soldiers of 1939 Germany. As a veteran and an American I am deeply concerned that anyone could make that connection. Our troops are not in Iraq “to kill its citizens, destroy its infrastructure, and liberate its oil wells.” Unfortunately, we are at war, and in war, civilian casualties are something that happens. Can it be proven that American bullets and bombs are directly responsible for the 30,000-100,000 deaths as Mr. Lueth claimed? Let us not forget that Saddam Hussein had killed many more than that in his genocide of the Kurds. Hundreds of thousands more were dying in the streets because they were starving to death. We have ended the genocide and provided people with a chance to prosper.

It is not our soldiers’ mission or agenda to torture and kill civilians. Do not let a handful of soldiers undermine the tens of thousands who do an outstanding job everyday. Soldiers who help build schools, dig wells and provide medical aid the Iraqi population should be the ones who headline the news everyday. Sadly, they are not. There are soldiers who provide security so children can attend school, non-governmental organizations can provide medicine and food, and the Iraqi people can vote for their leaders. These soldiers do their jobs and risk their lives everyday so that a country can take advantage of the things we, as Americans, take for granted. To generalize all soldiers and criticize the men and women who have the courage to do the things Lueth, and many like him, do not have the fortitude to do, is a great injustice to those who do.

Knowing they have the support of the American people is what keeps many soldiers going in a place that is harsh and terrifying. If this wave of anti-soldier mentality continues to grow, we are going to have many more soldiers who come home from war like those during Vietnam. Support networks are crucial to make sure our soldiers are able to readjust to society.

Perhaps Lueth should have talked to veterans who have been overseas and found out what it is like to be there and discover all the good that the soldiers are doing. I hope I am not alone in thinking Lueth’s statements were unmerited. It is our job to support those who fight for those who cannot. Find the good the soldiers are doing, and it will far out weigh the misconduct of a few.

Mike LeMier
Operation Enduring Freedom veteran
CLA student

New Orleans still needs help

I recently returned from a service learning trip to New Orleans where I helped out with hurricane relief. Prior to the trip, my expectations were of a community working together with the government to rebuild the beautiful, yet historic city of New Orleans. I expected a response similar to that of the 9/11 tragedy, where although the impact of the tragedy was still felt, the path to building a stronger nation was apparent just six months after the attack.

It has been nearly seven months since Hurricane Katrina hit and my expectations were not met. What I found was blatant racism and very little help from the government. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, (which I must add has become the new four-letter F word) has been putting out trailers for those who applied for them, but they have been neglecting to hook up the electricity and plumbing, nor have they given the residents keys to those trailers. Furthermore, the government wants to bulldoze the ninth ward, which is the poorest, as well as an all-black neighborhood, in order to build condos. They will offer the “former” residents the first chance at buying these condos; however, I will offer this statistic. In the Ninth ward the average family income is $27,000, which is much lower than the national average. The families from the Ninth ward will not be able to afford these new condos. This is an attempt to eradicate the poor blacks from the city.

Also, in New Orleans, the mayoral debates are coming up, but there are many African-Americans who are not present in New Orleans. Therefore, their votes will not be counted. The Louisiana government is refusing to allow satellite voting in other states, so the vote count will be low, demonstrating another effort of keeping out the poor and the black.

This “natural disaster” has revealed the longstanding racism that people of color in New Orleans have been facing. Due to the lack of genuine coverage on CNN, one is left to believe that everything is under control in the city. The condition of New Orleans is not well, and do not be fooled into thinking that things are being handled.

As people of privilege, we have the ability to use our voices to speak out against this institutionalized injustice. Anything will help. Call or write your congresspeople. Take some time this summer and lend a helping hand while also informing yourself about the truth on these issues. About five people can gut one house in seven days. This saves one family $10,000. Although you may not think that it is much, it gives one family hope, even if the government wants to shut them out. We must not forget the people of New Orleans.

Anthony Wilson
CLA ’08