Boise State University ScholarWorks Student Newspapers (UP 4.15) University Documents 4-23-1997 Arbiter, April 23 Students of Boise State University Although this file was scanned from the highest-quality microfilm held by Boise State University, it reveals the limitations of the source microfilm. It is possible to perform a text search of much of this material; however, there are sections where the source microfilm was too faint or unreadable to allow for text scanning. For assistance with this collection of student newspapers, please contact Special Collections and Archives at [email protected]. ' .. '.'.( . 2INSIDE - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1997 THE ARBITER found. I've asked other Hispanics around campus lack of ethnic about'their majors and have consistently encoun. mlnorltles on staff tered these answers: business (specifically interna- 'Q •• tional), education, crimin.al justice and sociology. "",,,,,r,,,.~ttill,t, , '.: " ··'.plnIO n reflects larger problem Rarely, if ever, has anyone told me 'they were MoreHeaven's'Gate debate in letters. majoring in communication, English, theater, or music. Is The Arbiter "a gathering of racists" as by Asendon Ramirez one English professor suggested? Or is the fact that News Editor I'm the only ethnic minority working here merelya symptom of a greater problem within the universi- l[][ii'iiEiiX' New5. In the wake of Damon Hunzeker's columns ty? Members of the Cultural and Ethnic Diversity NewedrlhqyiIfe fault discovered by BSU ;:g;~:i::b~~~n~;~~:~:e;~nu; ::I~d;:~: ~:::~~h:~ Board recently suggested-in a letter to the BSU gracfuatestuc[ent. student newspaper. Publications Board-that one of BSU's core values They, like the Cultural and Ethnic Diversity is diversity. Yet for years, President Charles Ruch Board, have essentially asked Arbiter employees, has neglected to endorse a policy to end discrimina- ,,,";-:«, . "Where is your ethnic diversity? When; are your tion on the basis of sexual orientation. ..... I1111_.. ,.·i~U;Jl~i,·'~.· HBF minority employees?" Admittedly, besides myself, Programs across the university are satisfied to A 1ogk"tothf#iJast for the future of sum- there are no employees from visible ethnic minori- continue the status quo. Is anyone actively recruit- metlashion~< . ties. ing minorities to fill the vacuums in majors listed . These questions, along with accusations that The above? No, and it seems' people are even intent to Arbiter staff is"racist, injures the reputation of each push minorities out. Since the publication of student who works diligently to put out the newspa- Hunzeker's columns I've come under a lot of per- per. In fairness, those who walk away feeling so sonal pressure to quit my job at The Arbiter, No morally satisfied with themselves have questions of one wants to be affiliated with "racists." It's bad their own to answer. The questions are these: public relations. "Where are The Arbiter's minority applicants? Ultimately, after losing some sleep and peace of Where are our minority communication majors?" mind, I chose to stay. I can safely say that The As other organizations have found, especially after Arbiter does not employ bad people, although oth- affirmative action, it's hard to hire minority ers may think so. By remaining here I hope others employees when there are no minority applicants. ""t,¥, ..sports will join me in the sincere pursuit of quality jour- , There are vacuums throughout this entire univer- ;~~~,~,i~~ •. /.~m defeats' University of nalism. sity where few or no ethnic minorities can be f-Ne~qclt!kiifiCJ£Ij;,iversityof Montana. i: .:,:\>:::;\~,:+;,:Y::~:;r~:,':,:':./:.:!;;: :'::',>\:, :-.,~;.'\ ~~ The Arbiter is the official student nevdpaper of Boise State University. Its mission is to provide a forum for the discussion of issues impacting the campus and the community. The Arbiter's budget consists of fees paid by stu- dents of BSUand advertising sales. The paper is distributed to the campus and community on Wednesdays during the school year. The first copy is free. Additional copies cost $1 eoch, poyable at The Arbiter offices. THESTAFF 1910 University Drive, Boise, Idaho 83725 Editor in Chief Kate Neilly Bell Business Manager Chris Adams News Editor Phone - {208} 345-8204 Fax - (208) 385-3198 Asencion Ramirez Hootenanny Editor Josh Casten Sports Editor Amy Butler E-mail- [email protected] Health/Beauty /Fashion Editor Ariel Spaeth Out of Doors Editor Clint Miller Sports: [email protected] Opinion Editor Kelly Millington Online Editor Mike Moore Art Director News: [email protected] Jonathon H. Smith Photo Editor Kara Brown Ad Designer Brenda Zipfel Lett.ersto the Editor: [email protected] Advertising Manager Matt Pottenger Local Advertising Sales Sean P. Murphy 1i"·H,·.·•..,. .' Entertainment: [email protected] Staff Writers Erin Burden, Josh Danielson, Jarod J. Dick, Mary Doherty, Matthew Haynes, Erica Hill, Mark Holladay, Seth Jaquith, Dan Robbins, Mark Taylor, Carissa Wolf, Tiffany Wren Columnists Melissa Albert, Damon Hunzeker, Jennifer Ledford thi\rbit~~aractiva Photographers Ronny J. Grooms, Rick Kosarich, Jonathon Smith Cartoonist Eric .j For back issues visit us at: Ellis Computer. Systems Administrator Mark Holladay Circulation Enric htfp:llwww.idbsu.edu/orbifer Figueras, Uuis Figueras Reception Yvette Bryant Editorial Adviser Peter Wollheim Business Adviser William Hart I. I. '." " . lighter, I was approached by a supposed "gentleman" slender, symmetrical people deserve respect, and the rest who asked me to stand up because his friend said I had a of us should submit to the potshots and derisive com- big behind and just couldn't believe it judging by the ments of passersby since we are clearly inferior. This is half visible above the table. I let it slide, figuring it was not just absurd; it is viscous. Didn't we decide back in Yesterday, as I was heading into Albertson's Library my own damn fault for letting myself get talked into 1965 that a person should not be shamed and persecuted for a stimulating afternoon of research, I crossed in front going to Dino's bar. due to a single physical trait? Still, every day people of of a gentleman who remarked, in what was not exactly' large or unusual proportions are subjected to whispers, his indoor voice, "White girl look like she need some During the past few days I have become more acutely stares, elbow-nudges and derogatory comments. butt exercise." I use the word "gentleman" somewhat aware of my particular proportions because this week all euphemistically here. In any case, I believe what he said the single-digit-sized girls on campus brought their So I would like to say the following on behalf of all can be better rendered as, "Lady, you've got a large short-shorts out of mothballs and put them on with of us big-legged, thigh-dimpled, spare-tired, love-han- ass." tweezers, which is a cruel gesture this late in the semes- dled, pot-bellied, Lane Bryant-shopping, between-meal- ter. Because every time an unfortunate male stops to snacking people: we don't need loud reminders about Imagine my horror; I had no idea. You see, I don't ogle, you can actually see several weeks' worth of stud- our bodies' shapes and sizes. We don't need any more buy my own clothing, have never owned a full-length ies and carefully-prepared test answers shoot straight up helpful diet and exercise hints from friends and mirror, and, unlike nearly everyone else on the planet out of his head and evaporate with a barely-audible strangers. We don't believe that a thin body looks am not constantly barraged by advertisements full of "poof", Meanwhile, my shorts remain in storage in obei- morally superior to a fuller-figured one. And we don't skinny, nearly-buttless models, so I had no basis for sance to the adage that tan fat is better than white fat. give a double cheese burger with super-sized fries comparison. Come to think of it, I'm legally blind. And yet, in spite of my modesty, I am singled out for whether you find our bodies sexually or aesthetically The fact is, I come from a long line of pear-shaped comment. appealing. women. I have never seen my great-grandmother, but If it seems absurd to devote an entire opinion column More personally, I would like to say the following to judging by successive generations can safely guess that to discussing my backside, this is intentional. I wish the "gentleman" whose comment stung me so badly that she wore big bloomers. My four sisters and I tend to put only to underscore the absurdity of the original com- I couldn't even reply at the time: I'd take a good meal themaximus in gluteus maximus, with the exception of ment. What gives an arrogant, loudmouthed so-and-so followed by a pint of non-lite beer any day over having one who runs six miles a day and, frankly, still has extra the idea that he's entitled to an opinion on my corporeal an arrogant, sexist, shallow, unmannered creep like you wiggle in her walk. Furthermore, when we go on the dimensions? Apparently, between our priggish rub up against me on my way to class. strict diet and exercise regimen, the upstairs tends to Protestant past and contemporary Madison Avenue, empty out before the downstairs; if you know what I I would also like to buy you two consonants and an we've developed the notion that one's weight is an indi- mean, leaving us with exactly the same shape, only a article. cation of one's moral and social value. Apparently only few sizes smaller. Five years ago when I was 35 pounds Support The Arbiter, press freedom "Librarian wins award," "Geology club bake sale successful," "Student leaderspass dealers.