The University Press (Beaumont, Tex.), Vol. 25, No. 13, Ed. 1 Friday, February 21, 1975 Page: 3 of 12
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University Press February 21,1975 Page 3
‘Ms” language questioned
* viewpoint ★
(“VI E\VPOINT" IS A COLUMN
DVHERE STAFF MEMBERS OTHER THAN
THE EDITOR MAY EXPRESS
INDIVIDUAL OPINIONS ON SPECIFIC
TOPICS. THOSE THOUGHTS
EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY
Of THE ENTIRE STAFF AND/OR THE
UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION.)
The decalie just pist may Veil be
known to history as the “era of
liberation.” Many racial and ethnic
groups have followed the trail blazed by
the black civil rights movement of the
fifties and sixties and are now
justifiably demanding equal legal
rights and employment opportunities.
Other groups, such as homosexuals,
the elderly and even children have
come to the fore in demanding just
treatment by society.
The one group which seams to com-
mand the most attention at the present
time in the women’s movement. There
is much justice to the claims of the
.feminists. Women have certainly been
aiscriminated against by society and its
legal system.
Unfortunately, a great many
womens’ rights advocates are trying to
change too much. I have no objection to
government-sponsered child day-care
centers, abortion on demand, equitable
divorce and credit laws, or most of the
other changes advocated.
I wholeheartedly support the Equal
Rights Amendment to the U. S. Con-
stitution. I have supported women can-
didates for elective office.
However, there is an attempt being
inade by some to affect wholesale
changes upon our language on behalf of
sexual equality.
By this time, everyone must be
aware that the title “chairman” is a no-
no. “Chairperson” is the properly
egalitarian word. Similarly, more and
more “liberal” organizations make
statements through “spokespersons”.
r A more serious manifestation of this
mania can be seen in the act of a federal
agency which had threatened cities
with the loss of U. S. government funds
if they fail to eliminate “sexist” job
titles.
'Student raps
I am sure that most people have
heard or seen such evangelists such as
Billy Graham, Dave Wilkerson, Martin
Luther King, and Major. These four
men, whether alive in the world or not,
Rave two things in common:
1) the Gospel according to their
viewpoint and
2) money.
Religion is the largest business
organization in the world.
If you are a member of an
organized religion, then you have no
doubt given generously to the church.
Of course, it is everyone’s inalienable
right to worship God as they please,
but brothers and sisters, beware of this
evangelist!
A young Black minister by the
name of Brother Ike preaches and
raves that people should live money.
As an example ,the city of Beaumont
is currently searching for an ac-
ceptable euphemism for “foreman”.
Among the possibilities being con-
sidered is “maintenance supervisor”,
which everyone can see is a much more
just, less discriminatory description.;
It also happens to be ridiculously
cumbersome and essentially
meaningless, 1 \
If /
I do not wish to give the impression
that I am resistant to any change in the
language. While I do believe that the
majority of alterations in grammar and
usage are undesireable, I also
recognize that some change is
inevitable and even advantageous.
What many well-intentioned people
apparently fail to realize is that society
changes language, not vice versa. What
people say is a product of their at-
titudes, and renaming job categories
will not produce any attitudinal change,
except perhaps resentment.
It is also my opinion that any gover-
nment which attempts to foster such
changes is betraying its democratic
principles.
I just heard someone leap up and
shout, “Ah ha, what about civil rights
legislation..” What about it, indeed..
To the best of my knowledge, it is not
illegal to refer to a black as a “nigger”,
or to use any other racial slur. It is of
course reprehensible, but that is
another thing entirely.
My point is that these linguistic
changes are being foisted upon us in ad-
dition to genuine and meaningful legal
reform.
These attempts to change attitudes
through the language are simply
doomed. There will eventualy be
changes in many of our usages, but not
until most people come to accept them.
When they do, it will be because they
have seen and grown accustomed to
real changes in the status of women, not
because of meaningless, artificial wor-
ds.
Our language should be loved and
respected. Those who use it as a
political tool demean both it and them-
selves.
Gerald Gaulding
religion
He is convinced that money will bring
unbelievable happiness and joy. After
all, he owns a Beverly Hills mansion,
a fleet of plush cars, and custom
designed clothing. I am not sure
whether he is married or not. And
when it comes time to give to the chur-
ch, the people are more than ready. I
observed this phenomenon on Weekend
on NBC news broadcasts.
So, in this inflationary period when
you have the money to enjoy yourself--
don’t! Give to brother Ike and remem-
ber his immortal saying: “The lack of
money is the root of all evil.”
But don’t worry about the
lawlessness that the lack of money will
bring. Brother Ike will thrust all ths
sins of men upon himself and we will
all be saved!
Jhck Henderson
CARDINAL
by Frank Kavanaugh
This isn’t a story for you hardhats.
You blue-collar guys look elsewhere
for amusing reading. This story will
make your neck hot enough to fry an
egg-
It’s bad enough that middle class
America has to support—almost single-
handedly--all the people on welfare*
the veterans, and the unemployed, but
now the big wheels at universities are
tryingto get their DOGS in on the act.
Take Dr. Dewitte Holland at Lamar
Uhiversity. He’s the head of the Speech
Department and he's sneaking his long-
haired cocker spaniel in for a free ed-
ucation. And at the same time the
mongrel is the hottest thing going with
the coeds. " He loves'to be petted, "
says Holland. "Ifind young ladies pet
him on the earjt lot.”
Don’t look now, you refinery guys.
While your tax dollars are paying for
thishound’seducation--LU is a state-
supported school, you know--he’s out
stealing the hearts of your daughters.
And this canine is a sly one. His.
name is Casey, after Casey Jones.
Holland says that whenever he took
him for a spin in the car, the varmint
put his front paw out the window, just
like the railroad engineer.
Casey thinks he’s human. He wears
cologne, demands spicy foods and
snows the teachers. Once, he even
bit the maid at home.
It's no secret that Casey is something
of a sex symbol. He invites affec-
tion with a coat of shiny black hair
that beckons a female to run her fingers
through it. And Holland hints that
Casey may sneak an occasional squirt
of after-shave: ’’Although he has long
hair, he doesn't shed much and sure
doesn't smell 'doggy'."
II
Then there's Casey's diet. Ham-
burger is acceptable, but heavy on the
salt and pepper, please. Spicy food is
the thing. Casey took such a fancy
to tacos that the Hollands thought he
was part Chicano. However, if the
pickings are slim, ham or chicken
will suffice.
Casey’s academic career sounds
kinda shady. "He’s a first-semester
junior," boasts Holland, not men-
tioningthat Casey gets books, fees and
tuition free. "He has a rather good
class attendance1 record, and the tea-
chers like that. You can pass just a-
bout anything if you attend class reg-
ularly." But later on, Holland admit-
ted he brings Casey to Lamar only four
days a week. Sounds like Casey's been
battingthose bedroom eyes at the tea-
chers to get that attendance record.
Fellow taxpayers, don't be fooled.
This Casey is as slick with the chicks
as the most sophisticated frat rat and
gets more pampering (excused ab-
sences, padded grades, goo eyes) than
the varsity quarterback. He's Big Dog
On Campus.
Holland has the audacity to say he
had second thoughts about bringing
Casey to college because he didn't
want to set a precedent because then
everyone would bring a dog." Too'
late, Dr. Holland. As soon as I left
from interviewing you and Casey, I
noticed no less than half a dozen
mongrels gallivanting about campus,
their masters calling from behind.
The number of unemployed con-
tinues to skyrocket. The welfare club
is getting less and less exclusive. And
now, dogs--ofall people--are after a
share of the pie.
Hear me out, common men r it's
finks like Casey who have this coun-
try in such a crisis.
I
l i
A
IT'S A DOG'S LIFE -- Casey and his owner, Dr. DeWitte
Holland, discuss Casey's behavior in the classroom. Casey
is a frequent visitor in the Music-Speech building and sits
in on the classes, too.
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Cucancic, Gail. The University Press (Beaumont, Tex.), Vol. 25, No. 13, Ed. 1 Friday, February 21, 1975, newspaper, February 21, 1975; Beaumont, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth500359/m1/3/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Lamar University.