In response to the recent flag burning at the Amherst Assembly for Patriotism, I offer the following.
I find it interesting that those who chose to burn the American flag ignore a very basic level of hypocrisy. These flag burners claim that the United States is built upon a history of violence and oppression. They held signs claiming "509 years of genocide and conquest" and "First Attack in 1492." The hypocrisy lies within the fact that these naive people are enjoying the benefits of a society that is ensured by the government they deem repressive and violent.
I wonder how many of these flag burners forget that the United States they want no part of is the same country supplying them with a wonderful quality of life, and, more importantly, the right to have their misguided protest.
If they truly believe this country oppresses and is bent on domination, why not have a protest of substance and one that is free of hypocrisy? They should leave this country so as to ensure they are free of oppression and any association with this land of domination. When they are thinking of places to go, I would like to offer up Sudan, China or maybe even Afghanistan.
When you flag-burners get upset at these governments or the oppressive situation you find yourselves in, you can burn the local flag or write a letter to the editor of the local paper. If you're still alive, you can contemplate all of the freedoms, quality of life and general well-being you took for granted in the land of opportunity while you are in jail for life.
We have it very good in this country. Don't take our freedoms for granted, and if you're going to protest for a cause, examine yourself before you are critical of others to spare yourself the embarrassment of hypocrisy.
On a final note, I bet some of these people drove to the protest with a "BUY LOCALLY" sticker on the back of their Toyota. Think about it.
John Bass
Assistant Crew Coach
Student security earns high praise
As supervisor of the student security program and having just worked alongside most of the staff at Triangle TAP over Homecoming Weekend, I want to express my appreciation to the group. It is an honor and a pleasure to work with them. However, many members of the College community may be unaware of the service that student security provides and the amount of effort that goes into their work. The staff are chosen for their ability to act responsibly and are trained to react appropriately to a variety of situations. They typically work at TAP events, theme house and student group events, concerts and some athletic events.
Student security is typically associated with stopping people from bringing alcohol into events. But the expectations of the staff go much further: they keep the environment safe, respond to incidents of inappropriate treatment, take initiative in de-escalating potentially dangerous situations, contact ACEMS when necessary and act as an approachable and visible resource for anyone who may need assistance. They work hard and are always ready and willing to assist.
Student security workers are all Amherst students. They have busy schedules and put in long hours so that the rest of the campus can safely enjoy social events. Their work puts them in the complicated and difficult position of supervising their peers and enforcing policies set by the institution. Too often, they are met with animosity when they make a simple request like asking people to clear a room at the end of an event or throw out a drink before entering the dance area. Particularly at events like Homecoming, the lack of respect makes an already difficult job that much more frustrating.
Not everyone on this campus is willing to take on the demanding role assumed by student security, but I would like to think that our community would appreciate and support the people who do. It is important that you, as members of the College community, cooperate with student security in their efforts to keep this campus safe.
Officer Ali Wicks
Wilkinson op-ed misses the boat
I have a few words in response to Sam Wilkinson's opinion piece "That Spoiled Stereotype Still Fits" in the Oct. 11 Daily Collegian. Like a not-so-small minority of Amherst students, none of my relations bought my ticket here. I'm here courtesy of alumni donors and a financial aid office kind enough to pay my way. It doesn't hurt that I have a low-income family: my self-employed parents make little enough that the financial aid formula can be especially generous. Ironically, families with slightly more may not receive enough help to send their children here. I am lucky.
Like many others here I understand exactly how privileged I am to be attending this school, surrounded by beauty, learning, well fed, well housed and well cared for. I know that I'll have to work hard here and even harder when I leave to assure those comforts later in life. My parents gave me brains, good values, a good work ethic and lots of love, but they can't buy me an apartment in NYC.
Students at Amherst have scoffed when I've called this place an intellectual paradise. That's exactly what it is-a veritable playground for our developing minds, complete with interesting people and the resources of the Five-College community-especially the large university down the street. No one here should ever take that for granted-coming from top-notch prep schools or not.
My wish is that every student at Amherst would understand just how privileged they are. But just because some don't does not mean they are stuck-up, snobby or even spoiled. At worst, they are ignorant. After four years I have made wonderful, hard-working, caring, giving friends at all five colleges. I've found that these qualities aren't correlated with wealth in any way-at any school.
I imagine there are horribly nasty people everywhere, but they're surely not confined to Amherst. Some Amherst students may be guilty of living in a bubble of wealth and privilege, but sending a vile message of hate is not going to pop that bubble. Conversation and education might. Try getting to know some Amherst kids and see if you hate them as much as you hate the image you're trying to perpetuate.
Good luck with life, man. You'll need it.
Maggie Byrkit '02E