Two Sides

One can only imagine the war of words that goes on at departmental meetings in the English Department. Professor Harry White's editorial triggered a storm of controversy that continues to play out in a public way. The focus on grammar mistakes seems trivial and you'd think professors would have more important things on their mind, like teaching classes, for example.

Of course, people have a right to defend themselves and several English professors wrote an editorial in response to Harry White's. It's rare that one person is 100 percent right or wrong and there is more to it. Given that there are some truly excellent teachers committed to their students, it would be unfair to issue a blanket condemnation of the English department as a whole.

It's unfortunate that in-fighting keeps faculty from working together with mutual respect and professionalism. Ultimately, what gets lost is what's best for NEIU students. We have to tackle things like retention and graduation rates before even getting to problems like curriculum and elitism, which can be found in pretty much any department, at any university. This is why students from UPRS, Chimexla, Alpha Psi Lambda, and Que Ondee Sola, along with state senator William Delgado, are pushing so hard for a Latino Cultural and Resource Center.

Given that NEIU is one of the most diverse universities in the Midwest, what are students, faculty, and administration doing to foster a safe environment for people of all races, ethnicities, cultures, religions, and sexual orientations? The homophobic organization H.O.M.E. (Heterosexuals Organized for a Moral Environment) recently returned to NEIU and continued with their anti-gay messages of hate. When is someone going to finally step up and put end to this? A white supremacist or anti-Semitic group would never be allowed on campus, so why is hatred aimed at another marginalized group any different?

An event like the 9th Annual Inter-faith Conference gave us the opportunity to learn about, understand, and respect each other's cross-cultural experiences. The Inter-Faith Committee of Northeastern Illinois University asks us to assume a leadership role as "we walk the paths of life respectfully in Unity and Peace." It was a welcome gesture when the Indian Student Association invited other groups to participate in its annual Diwali Show.

As for students, Ken Barrios and Chris Poulos, even they would not have dared to pull a stunt like that at the Rep. Luis Gutierrez event, like they did at the Senator Durbin event later that day. They would know that fellow NEIU students, many of them Latino, would not allow such a disruption. Moreover, these protesters didn't bother asking how they can help organize around immigration issues or build a Latino Cultural and Resource Center on campus.

The members of Students Against War and the Socialist Club overlap and have similar ideologies. Ken Barrios, as a Socialist Club member, was the same one arrested and charged with battery earlier this year for interfering with an institution of higher learning. They are so caught up in the way they've been given a bad rap on campus, that they fail to realize the privilege of being U.S. citizens, and not have to worry about being deported.

The truth is that all of us, regardless of our take on the war, are implicated in the foreign policy of the United States. As taxpayers, we are partly responsible for the death and injury of our own American soldiers. Immediate withdrawal from Iraq is highly unlikely, no matter how much all of us want our troops to come home safe.

Still, it is critical that young people pay closer attention to the widespread inequalities in this country; too many of us are numbed by a superficial and celebrity-driven culture. I feel incredibly thankful for the sacrifices and selflessness of student soldiers like T.C. Chung, and all those engaged in military service. I especially think of NEIU student Felicia Maxa, who is currently serving in Iraq.

The world needs peace now more than ever. The approaching holiday season gives us a moment to pause and be grateful for the good in our lives. May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.