over The EDGE age 6 ‘

Editor,

I’m writing in response
to the letter on gender equity
from John Makowichuk (Sept. 6/
95). He raises some interesting
points and expresses a view
common to many of the other
men with whom I’ve discussed
this issue. However, I feel that
some aspects of his argument do
not stand the light of day upon
closer examination.

1) It seems clear that the
availability of women’s studies
and rallies simply satisfies the
need for such and is not part of
some sort of feminist agenda.
When (and only when) there is
an expressed need for men’s
studies will we find such classes
on our campus. In the meantime,
I’m sure that Mr. Makowichuk
would find no shortage of
willing participants fora
regularly held men’s peer group,
should he wish to start one.

2) “Centuries of
oppression and sexism” don’t
just “warrant a change in
society’s treatment of women”
but of men as well. Our position —
as favored gender will certainly
be eroded as balance is achieved.
And while the pendulum may
temporarily swing too far the
other way, as equality comes
about, it will prove a blessing for
all, not just women. And yes, I
will continue to hold doors open
for women, as I do for men.

3) I don’t have any
trouble with scholarships which
apply only to women as long as
women are making less than
seventy cents on the dollar in
comparison to men. I believe this
also applies to the issue of
alimony.

4) It is worth pointing
out that 95% of spousal and
sexual assault cases are perpe-
trated upon women by men and
that, on average, battered wives
are beaten 35 times before
pressing charges. It’s small
wonder that a few generalities
and biases have arisen out of
these statistics.

As men we must, for
the sake of equality, take
ownership of our past and
present behavior and attitudes,
both good and bad, and begin to
redefine ourselves, as women
have. It is not required of men to
become male apologists, or to
neuter their desires, in order to
fit into the changing societal
order. It is, on the other hand,
important for all of us to aspire
to a greater understanding of

each other’s issues.
Michael Pratt

Tp the Editor,

In reply to the letter by Mr John
Makowichuk/Mailbox, Sept. 6:

From Mr.
Makowichuk’s letter, I under-
stand that he as a male feels left
out, neglected, passed over—and
is experiencing “the subtle strain
of our own exclusion.”

As the old oriental curse
explains transition: “we live in
interesting times.” Having
experienced various sorts of
discrimination myself as a
woman, an adoptee, a former
manic-depressive, a First Nations
Wannabee (highly suspect
among those of my parents’
generation), I can sympathize
with his sense of alienation and
anomie (loss of sense of iden-
tity).

However, once any
despised, denigrated, often
rootless person or group begins
to feel entitled, empowered,
secure, strong and capable, the
sudden lack of expected defer-
ence to established authorities
threatens the seemingly dispos-
sessed ones!

We women have sensed
our empowerment rather recently
as the millenium goes, so hang in
there, big brother. Our rampant

militancy will cool when we feel
half as equal as you felt for the
preceding millenia! ~
Sincerely, if ironically.

Lynda Strutt

What is Happening at the
University of Northern British
Columbia?

Editor,

Registration is a game
of Russian Roulette with a barrel
facing the student who is naive
enough to assume that confirme

other than paper airplanes. No
amount of organization is
sufficient to protect the unwary
student from scheduling changes
that leave said student uselessly
attempting to attend the class
officially certified on UNBC
letterhead. These students arrive |
at class only to find that their
course was over yesterday and
they are already a day behind!
Some students would
benefit from workshops and
seminars that would lead them
through the registration maze
safely to the prize of classes
permanently settled in room, day
or time. See how many students
would turn out for “How to
Track Down the Migrating
Prerequisite” or Timechanges
and Cancellations: Coping With

Registration Whiplash. Maybe ,
the Student Association could
even assist in the purchase of
protective gear for these casual-
ties of registration and perhaps
night vision goggles for those
further deluded souls who were
under the impression that full-
time students could attend
classes during daylight hours.
From a disgruntled student,
Patsy O’Dell

Editor,

This is to ask the help
of your readers with a book I am
researching on the personal uses
of marijuana in Canada.

Twenty-five years ago,
half of all convictions for
possession of marijuana by
Canadians resulted in jail
sentences. Today that figure has
dropped to about two per cent,
even though the laws have not
changed. Judges have apparently
concluded from the findings of
some 1200 studies that marijuana
is not a threat to health or social
order. And yet, the federal
government’s Bill C7 proposes
to stiffen penalties for marijuana
offenses. So, what are pot

‘smokers-who know more about
marijuana than either politicians
or the courts-to make of this

paradox?

I would like to corre-
spond with any of your readers,
either students or faculty, who
have ideas, experiences or
anecdotes about marijuana in
their lives. Anonymity guaran-
teed. Please write to PO Box
54094, North Vancouver, V7M.
3L5, fax 604 984-8865 or e-mail
JG@unixg.ubc.ca.

Michael Poole

Letters Policy: Over the Edge has an open letters policy and will un-
dertake to print every letter received from the University and local
timetables are good for anything|| community. Letters must be type written, and should include your
name, student number and phone number (for verification purposes

Wednesday, Se

Letters to
the Editor

20, 1995

4

only). Letters should be no more than 200 to 400 words. Editors re-
serve the right to edit ruthlessly for length and libelous content. Only

spelling or grammar.

CALL FOR AGREE DEMO

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