Over The Edge Page 4 OPINION | _April 7, 1998 Lying Laughing Crying in the Aftermath of the April Fools Schism

By Paul Berard

To those who actually picked up on the fact that last week’s issue was, indeed, the annual Over The Edge traditional April Fool’s issue, congratula- tions. To those who did not, you frighten me a lit- tle. After all, one of the most fundamental tools of the student is to call information into question and make sure for your- self that what you are basing your thoughts, views and opinions on does exist.

However, with that said, it comes to mind that the end of the academic year is here, just like an April Fool’s joke where every- thing turns horribly ugly. Exams are not pretty things to undertake. Every year a select few go absolutely nuts from the increased stress of approaching deadlines and social expectations that never seem to get met.

In past week, with papers being finished by students all over campus,

some people have come to the realization that there is a definite prob- lem with a lack of com- puter terminals on the

UNBC campus. Several.

students complained that it was “ridiculous” that the university had blocked out the large computer lab for a high school class during this time period. They stressed their complaint that the university had failed to meet their needs and expectations during this crucial time.

This semester has also seen the birth and deci- sive movement of the Business ‘students who, in their call for more tenure-track professors, have managed to divide the entire university into two colleges: the College of Business and the College of Everything Else. Al students are concerned about what lies ahead for their edu- cation and given the bud- get that was passed this year, they have good rea-

Catering

son to be.

The UNBC budget has reached the point where the amount of money matches the amount of the expenditures. This means that the only new financial growth we°can expect fo see here lies in the form of new students to the campus. Of course, that’s provided that the number of incom- ing students is greater than the number of stu- dents leaving, either through graduation or through dropping out of school.

There are legitimate concerns about what building is going to be built next at a time when the private sector in British Columbia is show- ing minimal growth. Campus monopolies, such as the Innovative Lines and Pepsi/Grey Beverage deals, are increasingly under attack by students who are fed up (pun intended) with poor ser- vice and the difficulty of

getting change on cam- pus.

But along with all this comes a new sense of organization on campus. Clubs have organized more events in the past eight months than they did before. The opportu- nity for students to make the campus what they want to see is still hap- pening.

The summer will undoubtably bring down a few more administrative decisions, things that won’t make sense on the outside, things that might not even make sense from the inside. So, just as advice from Over The Edge, have a great sum- mer, don't fret over the exams too much and make sure you sharpen the pens and ready the protest signs.

For the next round of weird and _ wondertul stuff.

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Dear Editor:

| am writing in regards to the cover story of the latest issue of Over The Edge. | was disturbed by the feature and found it to be both inap- propriate and disrespectful. | am, of course, referring to the reference to Martin Luther King Jr., and the use of his famous “Il have a Dream” speech, given August 28th, 1996 at the Lincoln Memorial.

Firstly, | understand that this was the April Fool's edi- tion of Over The Edge, and that the intent of the parody was humorous. That said, it should be realized that humor is subjective and what is funny to one, is not neces-

sarily funny to another. -

LETTERS

“We are masters in our nonviolent movement”

Whether the cover feature was humorous or not is irrel- evant, | was disturbed and insulted by it’s content, not it’s intention.

My contention with the issue arise from the correla- tion drawn between Dr. King (Martin Luther fork Jr.) and his role in inciting violence. From this feature it is obvi- ous the writers at Over The Edge view Dr. King as a fig- ure who did nothing more than “stir up trouble” and “incite riots.” This is quite untrue and frankly, disre- spectful to his memory.

Dr. King was made famous for his fight against injustice through nonviolent protest. He is characterized and remembered for his peaceful activism and philosophies,

and for accelerating human rights as a government and social priority. On the eve of

his assassination, Dr. King is’

quoted in his last sermon, April 3, 1968:

“We don’t need any bricks and bottles, we don’t need any molotove cocktails, we just need to say. . . “God sent us by here, to say to you that you're not treating His chil- dren right.”

“We are masters in our non- violent movement”

| was embarrassed to see “UNBC’s Official Student Newspaper’ imply that a win- ner of the Nobel Peace Prize incited riots. This publication has disgraced Dr. King’s memory on the 30th anniver- sary of his death, almost to the day. Dr. King incited

thought and action for the good of humankind, not riots and trouble.

It is obvious to all that walk through the halls here at UNBC that this school is made up of predominately white students. Would this newspaper feature have been received with such apathy at a school that was predominately ' African American?

| have enclosed for you a copy of the “I have a Dream” speech. Perhaps your writ- ers might find it insightful.

Ashamed,

_ -Jess Dunford Undergraduate Student

sis Dr. King, this ‘information was. not previously ‘known at the time of produc- tion. | would like to apologize jon tee ot eee for