The Towerlight, April 16, 1992

tl19920416_026 "and more LEITERS What is Hollie Rice's attacker learning at TSU? Because I am temporarily living out of the country, I did not know about the attack on Ms. Hollie Rice until I read the 2 April, 1992 issue of The Towerlight. I am sure the dastardly behavior of Ms. Rice's attacker has received a great deal of attention, both in the newspaper and in public and private discussions; there is no need here, therefore, to reiterate the actual incident. Instead, I wish to make a few comments of my own regarding not only the brute who physically assaulted this woman, but also the social and political atmosphere which made the attack not only possible but, in a way, inevitable. To say that I was saddened and ashamed that such a thing occurred on a university campus where I am a member of the faculty is to acknowledge what must be true of most (I know better than to say all) of my colleagues. But it is not enough to say that the incident is ""regrettable,"" or that it reflects badly on our community. And I am afraid that is her editorial, ""TSU: A Model Community?,"" Lisa Goldberg is wrong in concluding that ""Hollie's attacker hasit't learned anything at Towson State."" The saddest commentary is, he has learned a great deal and one of the things he has learned is that the atmosphere of the community allows what he did to be sanctioned, and even applauded, by some members of the community who share not only his beliefs but also his method of handling disagreement. In examining statements made by people quoted in the article and in the editorial, I was frightened by the implications of what was being said. Chris Bowling, a member of the John M. Gissendanner Diverse Sexual Orientation Collective, is quoted as saying that the Committee was ""shocked"" by the attack because they thought violence would be directed against them. Ms. Goldberg rightly condemns the society that has produced this expectation of violence. Even Ms. Rice, the latest victim in beatings against another human being�and certainly not someone I wish to malign�is quoted as saying: ""It's not my lifestyle. If it was my lifestyle, I would be afraid to come out with ]the attack]."" I submit that even if it were her ""lifestyle"" she should not be coerced into any position which does violence to her dignity as a human being. Dr. David Bergman said that when the man is found, he should be kicked off campus. When the man is found, he should be made to feel the full Administration responds to gay-bashing Editor: I, together with my colleagues, am incensed that the gay and lesbian members of our community have been denigrated by the recent homophobic violence in the Union. Not only do we value these faculty, staff and students but we are enhanced by their contributions to our understanding of ourselves and our world. Towson State's Code of Conduct expresses the institutional intolerance of violence. We are prepared to make perpetrators accountable for their violent acts. Dorothy Siegel Vice President for Student Services weight of the law against battery. The intimidating letter which Ms. Rice received following the attack may or may not have been sent by her assailant Who actually sent the letter is not important. What is important is the idea that anyone who does not believe as someone else does should be removed from his or her profession or threatened with bodily harm or death. That this should happen to anyone, anywhere, for any reason is reprehensible, but that it occurred on a university campus undercuts all of our cherished assumptions about the free exchange of ideas. I have called Ms. Rice's attacker a brute; make no mistake: he is. He is also a bully and a coward, and when he has the advantage he is dangerous. But if I know anything about human beings, he did not resist bragging to his friends about what he had done. They are no less brutish in their approval. And since they know who he is, they are no less brutish in not expelling him from their company and turning his name in to the police. Finally, there is the larger issuetof a community and a society which produce racists and bigots who commit violence across the board, against women, against homeosexuals, against children, often with impunity. The friends of these people know who they are and keep silent; members of the community know who they are and choose not to become involved because they steel themselves against identifying with the ""alien"" victims, against the ""otherness"" of people they don't like anyway. While they feel morally uninvolved, they are, in fact, co-conspirators whose silence and tacit approval allow a whole society to become corrupt. We must do more than simply ""regret"" and ""deplore"" the actions of people who do damage to other people. We must treat them as criminals and make it clear that we value positive achievement; that sensitivity and intelligence are qualities crucial to civilization. As a member of this society and as a student in this university, Ms. Rice's attacker has been through the American education system and has had twenty plus years to absorb and reflect its influence. If what he did to this woman is a consequence of what he has learned, we all should feel a great deal of discomfort. John M. Gissendanner is an associate professor of English at Towson State. Tune in to TSTV Editor: We at TSTV would like to express our thanks to all who took part in our on-the-air debut celebration. Your support and confidence are greatly appreciated, and you helped us create a memorable event. Because your satisfaction is important to us, too, everyone is encouraged to check us out. Let us know your comments and suggestions. All are welcome to stop by our office in Media Center Room 110 and to share their thoughts with us. We are dedicated to providing a valuable service to the community. Tune in to Channel 61 and turn on to TSTV. Ed DeCrosta Director at Marketing for TSTV A bad first encounter at TSU Editor: I grew up around Towson State University all my life, and I decided to attend Towson with great visions for a 13etter tomorrow. My vision was Shattered slightly when I had an encounter with a professor for a Physical fitness course. We had to run 1 1/2 miles for a course tequirement which I did in 15 rninutes and some seconds. I felt proud because I am 10 years Older than most of my Classmates. I felt a hint of racism when my instructor questioned one of my white friends as to how many laps did I run. She told me and I was in disbelief. I was so hurt. Why didn't he ask me? Was it my skin color? I don't know and I hope not. When I confronted him, he admitted he questioned her, and it was not a big deal. When I asked him to confront me the next time, he shrugged his shoulders and walked away. He did say that I should not be concerned because I got the grade. I could not drop it, so I reported it to Dr. Stinar. He looked into the matter, and explained to me the reasons, which did not make sense. No one ever explained why I was not questioned initially. I hoped Towson State would be great for my esteem, but that experience was unforgettable. Doris Maxwell Towson Send -Perspectives & Letters to the Editor to: The Towerlight University Union Room 232 Deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. All submissions must be signed. The Towerlight Maryland's largest student weekly Weekly Circulation: 10,000 Please recycle this newspaper. Editor4n-Chief: Lisa Goldberg Managing Editor: Katie Schuerholz News Editor. 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Letters must be signed and typed. Students shouid include their year and major. Faculty and Staff should include their departments. Al letters should include a phone number where the author can be reached. Letters become property of The Top.ericght upon receipt, and may be edited for length. The Towertictit does not discriminate based on age, color, condition of handicap, marital status, national oi, race, rehgion, sex, or sexual orienla-ton. �1992 by The Towerhght, Towson State Universrly, Towson, MD 21204 All nights reserved April 16, 1992 � The Towerlight � 27 "