Article neglects women’s struggle for rights

I commend James Layman for noting the number of women running for elected office in North Carolina in “NC women in office outnumber other states” from 10/27. However, I am disappointed his condescending discussion of the topic.

Layman attributes the increase of women seeking political office to women’s previous disinterest in politics and also that women are now more “aware of their abilities.”

One student stated, “I know it’s weird to be saying that women are more in control of their emotions in times of crisis, but that’s what the studies are saying.” This quotation and many of the others in the article point to the larger issue which Layman ignores.

Traditional gender roles are threatened by women in power. Messages about women’s over-emotionality and innate political weaknesses permeate in our culture, slowly corroding women’s progress forward.

Our nation and political climate do not readily support women in positions of political power, perhaps highlighting one reason why Sarah Palin projects herself as a cute hockey mom.

We cannot claim a recent surge in girl power as the reason why Hillary Clinton ran for the Democratic nomination, or Bev Perdue is running for governor, or Sarah Palin is running for VP.

Women throughout our nation’s history have strived to carve out a public space for themselves. To look just at current political actors as the forerunners in women’s struggle for opportunity neglects generations of women who fought for those equal rights, which Layman quotes one student saying — more women are starting to want these days.

Carrie McMillan

senior, history

Remember the context of racism

I would like to thank Mr. Frenier, Owens and Nock for illustrating what ‘real’ racism looks like today. Yes, as a nation, we have moved beyond the overt bigotry of past decades — however, that does not signify that race relations are inherently good.

Our nation is still plagued with a mental attitude of covert racism. The attitudes of the three writers above illustrate a complete lack of sensitivity and the real reason racism continues today — the ‘get over it’ mentality.

It is very easy to look from a white, majority point of view and say that someone is overreacting or being hyper-sensitive, but to do so denies the social and historical context of minorities in this country.

It is so easy to judge a minority from a white point of view, but have you put yourself in his or her shoes?

Do you know what it is like to live your life and only first be acknowledged by your race? Do you know what it is like to be asked to speak on behalf of your entire race in class? Do you know what it is like to have your attempt to protect your identity written off as an overreaction?

I dare to guess not.

It is the ‘get over mentality’ that allows a white person to look at an upset African-American peer amidst a discussion about the KKK chalking and say ‘I don’t know what you’re so upset — it was just a joke.’

Human identity is not a joke.

Anna Louise Patton

senior, psychology

Caricature should have been more evident

Whoa, whoa — let’s not get too ahead of ourselves and accuse people of being racist for accusing others of being racist. Regardless of whether the cartoon was racist or not, the fact remains that the cartoon or caricature or whatever was terribly drawn, which naturally, led to ambiguity. If it was indeed a caricature, it should have been more evident.

For a university with an excellent design program, it puzzles me why something that looks like it was drawn like a five year old would be published in a college publication.

May F. Chung

freshman, English

Work with business to make Haunted Hike safe

The merchants and restaurant owners of Hillsborough Street encourage the Wolfpack community to celebrate this Halloween in a safe and responsible manner.

There have been concerns raised by public safety officials that Hillsborough Street may become the focus of large crowds seeking a place, not to celebrate the community, but to party. This can lead to a dangerous combination of factors. Crowds, alcohol and traffic do not mix. In order to cooperate with public safety officials in heading off a situation that would put you in harm’s way, we have agreed that, if these officials conclude that the crowd has grown too large to be safely provided for, or that underage or public consumption of alcohol is creating a dangerous environment, we will stop the sail of alcohol in our businesses and encourage our customers to quietly and responsibly end their celebrations.

We want you to have a good time and share each other’s company, but we care most about your safety. Please help us all make the Hillsborough Street community a place we can be proud of and enjoy together.

Alan Lovette

Hillsborough Street business district