Comments on: “What Happened To Affirmative Action?”

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 06:44:27 +0000

Emily,
The problem we face is an economic one in regards to what should or shouldn’t be taught. The government has forced this institution upon us, and we should make the best of the circumstances, but we live in a democracy and unfortunately my say is as much as yours. While I’m not advocating ignorance in religious matters, I would have to say there are much better subjects to devote valuable class time to. In the next issue I have a suggestion, but more seriously I would point to the lack of math and civics knowledge in the post-baccs.

The ODE increases anger and stereotypes of most campus and national conflicts - to this end they care consistent in their publication.

By: emily

emily — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 02:55:40 +0000

Olly, just to point something out briefly the professor that you speak of being hired was a man who was here for three years and left for a much better position at another university (which is sad because he was a great professor). The Religious Studies department has as of yet have not found a replacement, although there will be a first year Arabic sequence avalible at the university next year (le sigh).

And Andy, yeah, the guy was not eloquent or diplomatic (and biggoted, I will not disagree); but there are tons of Indonesian and Malaysian students at this university that also practice Islam besides Arab peoples who people are typically associate with the religion. What the administration at this university cannot seem to get through its head is that education on religion should be a priority. Not to send us back to the dark ages but because people still die en mass (and not just in Islam) for their religous beliefs, and therefore we should attempt to gain a semblence of understanding of these matters.

Mr. Behnam adds nothing to this problem than anger and stereotypes, which makes it really unfortunate that he was the one to have been published in the ODE. He does not further the cause that he adresses, which is a valid problem.

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 20:15:10 +0000

Yea, the suggestion to suspend jewish studies kind of outs him/her as a bigot. All I know, is that there were a lot more jewish kids at my school and I’m sure there are a lot here because we even have a hilel. Just another laughable complaint from one group trying to gain power over another through the use of government coersion.

By: Sailor Republica

Sailor Republica — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 09:55:21 +0000

I’d rather an Arabic Language program be put forth. Why, you ask? Very simple. Arabic is like Chinese and English. It is a business language, and it is a wealthy business language. There are exploits to be done using the Arabic language, that could revolutionize American trade and other things.

By: Michael G.

Michael G. — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 05:06:55 +0000

I think you missed the real key to this rant (emphasis mine):

M. Reza Behnam, Ph.D.

I translate the entire thing as the following:

“The University won’t hire me. Waaaaaaaah!”