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Friday, October·16, 1992
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Palomar Community College, 1140 West Mission Road, San Marcos CA 92069-1487
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Volume 46, Number 6
Columbus sparks controversy and contemplation By Kathy Combs News Editor
Janette Bowker/ Slll/f PltotograpMr
Victoria Hacker (left) visits the Columbus Day exhibit in the library with Kellie Mitchell and daughter Mystic Skye Mitchell.The exhibit can be viewed during library hours through the month of October.
Colwnbus Day began with a "noncelebration" on Palomar's campus Monday when dancers and speakers participated in a commemoration of Native junerican culture. The morning event was followed by a scholarly colloquium where over 150 students heard panelists discuss the impact of Columbus's voyages to the W estem world. A library exhibit on display thoughout October was included with the activites. Representing many Native Americans, students voiced their views on maintaining cultural values while living with traditional teachings about Christopher Columbus. Sue Martin, co-chair of a committee of representatives from the American Indian Organization, MEChA and the Afrikan/American Student Alliance, said the commemoration was arranged to support cultural integrity and cultural traditions. She also described the event as an effort to help people become more aware of the misinformation students get from the mainstream. Recognizing "that 70 million people were killed is no reason to
GALA supports Coming Out Day Gays and lesbians join forces to inform students By Sandy Kraisirideja Staff Writer and Mike La Joie Campus Beat Editor
gays and AIDS, although she is supportive of educating the public about homosexuality even if AIDS is the only way right now. Members of the Afrikan-American Alliance (AASA), Associated For the first time in Palomar his- Student Government (ASG), Altory, GALA (Gay and Lesbian pha Gamma Sigma and AlternaAssociation) commemorated Na- tive Lifestyles Support Organizational Coming Out Day 1ast week tion (ALSO) advocated their supon the Student Union patio. port for the event. Don Scott of "I just want other gays to know ALSO recounted historical perseour club is here to support them," cutions of homosexuals including said GALA Vice-President Sandy WWII concentration camps where Gonzales, stenography student homosexuals were identified by from Fallbrook. "We welcome upside-down pink triangles. every student, straight or gay, to GALA is a social support group comeandseewhatwe'reallabout." of about 20 members whose purComing OutDaychallenges gays pose is to serve the needs of the and lesbians to put an end to the gay, lesbian and bisexual student silence which has allowed society and staff ofPalomarCollege. Howto define who they are and what ever, it is not restricted to these they can hope to achieve in life, groups only. ''We are not here to according to members of GALA. undermine heterosexuals or recruit About 50 students were present at them, which is the reason for our the event which displayed banners rainbow colored flag, to celebrate and an information booth. the diversity of the human symGALA members also addressed bol," said Donnarurnma. the issue of AIDS at the event. "In GALA formed on campus in a gay society, AIDS is less promi- 1987, but the group experienced nent because we educated our- some harassment causing it to break selves," said GALA President up.lt was brought back 1ast semesThaddius Donnarurnma. ter by students and a supportive Gonzales said she is not pleased Palomar staff. with the way the press associates Membership in the group may
grow after the event where another half-dozen names were added to the roster. San Diego vocalist Candye Kane was scheduled to sing at the event but had to cancel out due to an illness in the family. Kane was a former ASG senator several years ago and is a member of GALA. D. Lea-Simpson of the (AASA) sang an a capella version of "The Greatest Love of All." Flyers handed out by GALA rejected stereotypeS and attitudes toward gays. One flyer poses common questions asked of homosexuals and addresses them to heterosexuals. For e~ple, ''There seem to be very few happy heterosexuals. Techniques have been developed that might enable you to change if you really want to. Have you considered aversion therapy?" Or, " What do you think caused your heterosexuality?" and "Is it possible that ·your heterosexuality stems from a neurotic fear of people of the same sex? Maybe you just need a positive gay experience?" GALAmeetsTuesday from3:30 to 4:30p.m. in SU-17. For more information, contact faculty advisorsPeterGach or Lois Wunderley at 744-1150, ext. 2327 or 2610.
celebrate," she said. Social sciences professor Dr. Christopher Johnson, a panelist for the Columbus Day colloquium, described Columbus's arrival as · the beginning of mass destruction, where ·the most virulent deliverer of death was disease. Native· Americans did not understand how "Europeans had the power to kill without touching their people," he said. "They believed the aggression was a spiritual aggression." Johnson joined panelists Jose Rangel, associate professor of multicultural studies, Charles Hanlen, associate professor of social sciences, and Steve Crouthamel, associate professor of American Indian studies for the colloquiwn heldinP-32. The panel detailed the viewpoints of Columbus, the Spanish, and the Native Americans in 1492, and discussed the impact when two physically and culturally different worlds collide. According to Linda Locklear, associate professor for American Indian Studies, thecolloquiwn was offered to students as a way of taking a controversial issue and putting it in an arena for more scholarly dialogue. Hanlen said it's important to keep Colwnbus in perspective, that we
don't "impose 20th century mentality on a 15th century event" This was not politically incorrect at this time, he said. Columbus left looking for trade routes and came back with a new population, said Rangel. "The Spanish world found it difficult to accept non-Spaniards into the European world." Johnson said Columbus "brought with him a capitalist dynamic that only looked at the new world truly as a place to make serious money." Johnson added that Columbus's voyages did lead to advantages for Native Americans. Europeans and Native Americans shared food and the "Sacred Dog," the European horse, became a great asset to Native Americans, he said. Students were curious about how how secondary schools should approach the Columbus controversy. The panelists said the schools need to break away from the myth regarding Columbus. Johnson, whose wife is an elementary school teacher, said more accurate views are being taught. Colwnbus Day is turning from a celebration to a commemoration, he said. "Columbus didn't discover a new world, he discovered an old world," Johnson said. "The two created one world."