Letters To The Editor

IN THE PAPER

Cartoon bolsters bogus stereotype

The Whitworth College faculty is saddened by the implication of last Sunday’s editorial cartoon that the attitudes of the Ku Klux Klan are somehow a part of Gonzaga University. As an expression of our disagreement with the message of the cartoon, Whitworth’s faculty unanimously endorsed the following statement at its May 8 assembly.

Gonzaga’s historic efforts on behalf of social justice are well known in the community. We see the university’s current struggles as an unwelcome side effect of efforts to bring change and healing to a broken world. As teachers at a sister Christian institution, we are keenly aware that no responsible college campus in the United States is immune to tensions or even unlawful activity designed to frustrate progress toward a more just society. We share with our Gonzaga colleagues the conviction that these racist incidents must be stopped.

The actions of one or two individuals ought not to be projected onto an entire institution. While we do not deny that racism is a grave problem in our society, it is this kind of stereotypic thinking that feeds racism in any institution or culture. By drawing attention to the sensational exception, Staff Cartoonist Milt Priggee further fuels the twisted efforts of a racist to create an image that Gonzaga University is an unwelcoming institution for African Americans. If he helps to perpetuate this racist image through the enduring power of a cartoon, Gonzaga and the people of Spokane risk losing the richness of a more diverse community. John C. Yoder, president of the faculty Whitworth College

We’ll pray for Priggee’s wayward soul

The May 5 cartoon was completely out of bounds. To deface the name Gonzaga by associating it with the racist and radical Ku Klux Klan is inexcusable.

The actions of a few do not in any way justify this brutal attack on such a fine university. Gonzaga’s students and staff do not and would never condone such racist actions being thrust upon anyone.

Gonzaga University has been a formidable figure within our community since its beginning. Its service-oriented students give inordinate amounts of their time and energy to a wide variety of organizations within our city. They, with the university administrations’ encouragement and support, understand and respond to the needs of many segments of Spokane’s population. They are true stewards of the Jesuit tradition.

I’m not surprised by Staff Cartoonist Milt Priggee’s attack on this wonderful educational facility. For years he has put on a mask himself and paraded around, pretending to be a cartoon journalist. It is one thing to be thought-provoking and insightful. It is quite another to be just plain mean and then hide behind the First Amendment, as he does.

As unkind and degrading as Priggee has been to Gonzaga, my guess is that many people feel a high level of pity for him and have included him on their prayer chains. Here’s a Hail Mary for you, Milt. Marjorie Tibbits Liberty Lake

Too-convenient target belies scope

Staff Cartoonist Milt Priggee’s May 5 cartoon regarding the disgusting, cowardly hate campaign that has occurred at Gonzaga University over the past year was quite a statement. Spelling Gonzaga with a Ku Klux Klan hood for an ‘A’ presented a clear message to all: Gonzaga is a racist institution.

I fear this label has been applied to Gonzaga in error.

The racism we have seen displayed towards fellow students is saddening, embarrassing and of total disruption to everyone’s right to freedom. However, the racism is simply a product of a city and of a nation that yells and screams equality for all but behaves in a completely different manner.

Students, parents, community members, the media - everyone - is asking why Gonzaga is not doing more to prevent this.

It’s not just up to Gonzaga to do something about this hatred. It is too easy to sit back, point the finger at Gonzaga and say that is where the problem lies. That way, the rest of us don’t have to take responsibility.

Until we all stand up against such hatred in our homes, schools and workplaces, this lunacy will simply surface again somewhere else. Joe Poss Nine Mile Falls

Priggee blew it

The Gonzaga-as-racist cartoon misses the point.

A more apt analogy would be Oklahoma City. The black law students are the broken baby in the fireman’s arms and the law school and university are the bombed-out hulk of the Murrah building in the background.

In failing to recognize and acknowledge the shared agony of the entire Gonzaga community, the cartoonist allies himself with the terrorists and unwittingly furthers their goals. Jordan McCabe, student Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane

Hateful element is Klan-like

I am a second-year law student at Gonzaga and attend classes with the students who have been targeted with the continuing threats to their safety. Imagine my surprise when I opened the May 5, paper to Milt Priggee’s editorial cartoon and saw myself and the entire Gonzaga community represented as racists.

My reaction was shock, then dismay at the this one-sided portrayal. Upon second thought, I realized that this cartoon accurately reflects what is really occurring at Gonzaga.

There exists within our community an element so vile that, to avoid being identified, it disguises itself to look like its neighbors. This element is a minority on campus. The remainder of the community is shocked by this element, but unable to see beyond the mask.

I am disgusted by the actions of this element and believe most people on our campus share my revulsion and desire for the person or persons responsible to be identified and tried.

Until that happens, all we can do is support the people who have been targeted and ensure that Gonzaga is a safe place to live and to grow. We can’t wave a magic wand to predict or prevent all acts of cowardly stupidity.

To the perpetrator(s) of these acts, I say: Justice has no place for racism. Get out! Sharon Hedlund Spokane

Priggee may have opened some eyes

A student at Gonzaga, I feel that Milt Priggee’s depiction of Gonzaga with a Ku Klux Klan hood over the last ‘A’ is exactly on point.

The image represents a minority faction here that is as dangerous and destructive as the KKK. The rest of the letters without the hood represent the majority of the Gonzaga community, who are not racists.

However, much as was true in the ‘60s, those in the majority need to pull their heads up out of the sand and see the “hooded” people. They need to use their voices and loudly announce and defend each student’s right to be here, unmolested. They cannot sit by, condemn the administration for not finding a solution, and just continue on with their daily lives.

The only way to stop the few who echo the Klan’s sentiments is to object in every way we can, to make Gonzaga a hate-free campus, and to help the authorities catch the sick-minded people are acting out against African Americans or any other minority group.

If Priggee opens one reader’s eye to the fact that the hatemongers on campus are a minority or if he makes one person decide to fight the racism that is so destructive throughout the world, he has done a service to his local community and the global community as well.

Thank you, Priggee. Ann Stewart Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Window-dressing measures insulting

Here we go again. The Washington legislative fathers have decided that we, the taxpaying public, are so dumb that we will thank them for forcing us to reduce the payments on our debts while the principle remains.

In 1991 George Bush decided it would be politically attractive to reduce the withholding for federal income tax, that this would endear him to those who had to come up with the same amount of dollars at the end of the year. I immediately went to the paymaster where I work and increased my withholding to the level needed to cover my tax requirement.

I resented this affront to my intelligence. I saw this as an indicator of how out of touch with reality Bush had become.

Now Sen. Bob Dole thinks canceling the credit card payment to alleviate some of the pain we feel at the gas pump will generate some sort of election time goodwill. I’ve got news, Dole: I’m not stupid and don’t intend to ignore your inference that I won’t know any better.

As part of the luckiest populace on Earth, I feel that Dole is fooling with my children’s future in order to garner a few votes. The fluctuation in oil prices hasn’t changed the fact that we still enjoy the cheapest and most available fuel supply in the civilized world.

The $5 billion-plus-a-year deficit payment represented by this tax will have to be paid some day. Any ideas how to do that? I’ll be watching Rep. George Nethercutt’s vote. Michael Armstrong Spokane

Minimum wage raise fair, do-able

It’s seems strange to me (a person who holds a BA in economics), that everyone can quote all kinds of economic theories on how devastating an increase in the minimum wage can be to the industries of our country. This increase would do no more than put a few extra dollars in the hands of low-income earners struggling to make it in this age of inflation.

It’s not minimum wage employees who are driving up costs in most industries. It’s the atrocious salaries paid to CEOs of large industries and unwillingness to share some of the profits in small industries.

A fair balance must be struck to bring about a more equitable distribution of profits. In other words, raise the minimum wage as requested and you will be distributing the wealth in a much more equitable fashion. It’s the only fair way to go and is not going to hurt the big guys.

The average consumer wants the working person to have a fair share. Economic theories do play a strong role, but until you curb greed, our nation will continue to struggle with inflation. James A. Nelson Spokane

‘Takings bill’ has got to go

Once again, Sen. Bob Dole’s “takings” bill, Senate Bill 605, is wielding its ugly head in Congress, at a time when most eyes are turned elsewhere - toward gas prices, electoral politics and other issues.

A conservative estimate by Taxpayers for Common Sense places the cost of this bill at $100 billion over seven years. Once you consider the real “takings” - the costs to the homeowner flooded by wetlands development; the community whose land is contaminated by pollution; the fishermen who lose their jobs because of dramatic declines in fish populations - the bill’s true costs are incalculable. Even Sen. Howell Heflin (D-Ala.), an original cosponsor of the bill, said he continues to have concerns about it, including the potential drain on the Treasury. “This is a lawyer’s relief bill in the nth degree,” said Sen. Max Baucus, (D-Mont.), “I think it’s too extreme.”

“It is very severe on the environment,” said Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman John Chaffee (R-RI) of S605. He added a word of advice to Dole, “I would say: Don’t get near it. It’s a loser.”

To allow Dole’s takings bill to pass the Senate without a fight would be tantamount to opening the floodgates on society, literally. I urge you to contact your senators, asking them to vote against this horrible bill. David Hunt Coeur d’Alene

Demand oil price investigation

Unleaded regular gasoline sold at several Spokane stations for 99.9 cents per gallon a month ago. Now it’s $139.9 per gallon - about a 40 percent increase.

President Clinton releases oil from the U.S. reserves. Sen. Bob Dole and House Speaker Newt Gingrich want to repeal the 4.3-cent gas tax increase. Where are the charges of price fixing and price gouging? Is not a congressional investigation or presidential jawboning in order?

Politicians, how much money did the oil companies contribute to your election funds? Voters, write to your politicians - there is no shortage. M.P. Ervin Spokane