Can’t we all just get along? And hang out?

Let me begin by saying that I love WKU, but in my two years here, I have noticed that there seems to be a polarization on campus between blacks and whites. I acknowledge that there are numerous students of both races that have friends or even significant others of the opposite race.

However, having said that, I have become increasingly aware of the large amount of students from both races who don’t have friends outside their own ethnic group. Being a black man who has predominantly Caucasian friends, I sometimes get leered at or teased by members of my own race while leaving or approaching the PFT/Keen/Poland area with my friends. It’s not that these jeers hurt me, but I just find it disconcerting that a campus as well integrated as Western (with students from numerous foreign countries and all across the states) would have so much self-integration by individual groups.

Everyone has their own group of friends, and it is only natural that people relate easier to those of their own race. However, I feel that college is a great opportunity to meet different people of all colors and nationalities, and that those who choose to seclude themselves to a similar group of friends will only serve to perpetuate the stereotypes and ignorance that exist and have existed in America for over 200 years once they exit college and enter the “real world.” Again, this isn’t a rant -I tease sometimes and expect to be teased.

I just hope that when I exit Western, I will enter a world where the ideals and dreams of pioneers like MLK, Frederick Douglass and JFK are more fully realized, and the superficiality of hip-hop culture and the MTV generation are as laughable as polyester jumpsuits and pet rocks.

Elvin Pack

Hendersonville, Tenn. sophomore

Naked protestors naked for no reason today

These days, the art of student protest and activism is not quite what it used to be. Some of the most used acts of student dissent have always been walkouts, banners, the handcuffs and, in many instances, nudity. This last form of scholarly demonstration is something that has been almost lost on American campuses. In the past and more enlightened times, we saw nude protests, such as the classic streak, panty raid, pressed ham and the mysterious fruit bowl, invented, if not mastered, by innumerable college students. Currently, all there is to be found in the world of matriculating rage against the machine is a vast amount of “When Drunk Coeds Go Wild” videos on late night television.

Why is there so much nudity, yet no message? The vast quantity begs the question: Where has the quality gone? There is no charm, no gag, no purpose and no implication of rebellion to the whole rash of exhibitionism. Student leaders, dorm rats, frat brothers, sorority sisters and amateur documentary video artists foresee a disturbing trend that can only lead to an aesthetic and political disaster of collegiate proportions.

They point to ten alarming issues facing the college nude protesting in the new millennium.

Is there not room at today’s schools of higher education for appreciation of the art of mooning or skinny-dipping in a campus fountain as a way of expressing one’s views? As future leaders of our country, businesses and the community, it is up to all college students to bring back the better, more simple times. Challenge each other to fight for the whales, a free Tibet, lesbian Eskimo equality, the war on terrorism, AND the war on “senseless” nudity without purpose.

Western and all of America’s collegians: Activism in nude, but don’t be crude!

Jayce Scott

graduate student

Cary, N.C.