Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to the letter to the editor that appeared March 26 issue of the Campus Times. I was so distressed by it that I felt compelled to respond.
As a Latina, I come from a people whose history is filled with those who have been convinced that they knew what was best for us. Usually, trust that they know best, has meant that we have been forced to accept out plight, no matter how oppressive, humbly and silently. In his book, “The Open Veins of Latin America,” the Uruguayan journalist Eduardo Galeano reminds us that, “We have maintained a silence closely resembling stupidity.” I, for one, would feel no pride, if that was the type of adult that we granted from La Verne.
Instead, we must look to those in Latin America who have had the courage to speak up, to question, to challenge. At times it has cost them dearly, as in the case of Bishop Oscar Romero of Salvador, who was assassinated for having the courage question; Bishop Samuel Ruiz of Chiapas who is harassed and watched constantly by the Mexican government; Brazilian Bishop Dom Helgar Camara who is labeled a trouble-maker and a communist because he has the courage to ask “why?”
I would say to you and your entire journalism staff: Trust no one to know what is best for us, not faculty, not state, not church. Question, probe, dig, and if necessary, be impertinent, but please do not, for sakes, simply accept the word of any person in authority, as if it were the Word of God. It is true, there will be times in which a person cannot answer all of your questions because of confidentiality issues, legal reasons, or in the case of Gen. Schwarzkopf, because of national security, but that does not disavow you from your responsibility of asking. It takes a great deal of courage to stick to ones convictions in the face of disapproval and pressure. I’m proud that the journalism students are willing to tackle the more difficult issues that arise on this campus.
Elena Cardeña
Catholic Campus Minister
Dear Editor,
Ah, adolescence. That time when life seems limitless and fun. Then, one day, responsibility lands on your head, like the anvil of Roadrunner cartoons. Thump.
Whimsy hardens into something resembling maturity.
Greg McDonald [sic] has not yet reached that day [“LVPD needs to find new pastime,” March 26].
Which is a shame, because his diatribes indicate that he likes to drive a car and imbibe — both adult endeavors-and prefers to do both sans regulation. When caught, he vents 500-word temper tantrums. Instead of acting like a gentleman duly cited for a minor infraction, he makes donut jokes.
Such is the opinion section of the Campus Sports Page, er, Times.
McDonald [sic] should know that LVPD sets neither parking regulations nor fines. Those are the jurisdiction of city councils and judges. Law enforcement — “cops” to the unwashed masses — simply takes custody of apparent violators and delivers them to the judiciary.
Perhaps, Mr. McDonald [sic] could make a list of other laws that he’d like LVPD to ignore. How about car insurance? Auto Theft? Burglary? Drinking and driving? Simple assault? Heck, let’s ignore the whole penal code!
If Mr. McDonald [sic] wants to park wherever and whenever he pleases, he can change the parking system in the same way that the people of La Verne (who graciously tolerate us) developed it: lobbying, voting, and intelligent deliberation.
Robert Parry
CAPA Student
Elena Cardeña
