• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1999-04-28_Vol63_No29_14

14 editorial April 28, 1999 inian More on 'Colima Affair' Dear Editor: I'm compelled to write about what might be called the "Colima affair," which, to me, is not so much about food as about attitude or tone. In the April 14 Western Carolinian, Todd Higginson wrote a review of Colima, the local Mexican restaurant. The April 21 issue of the paper included responses from two students, Brad Stevens and Amy Ramos, along with Mr. Higginson's rejoinder. Higginson's original piece, "'Tis Better to Brown Bad [sic] Your Salsa at Colima," hit a raw nerve; it seemed to betray an unconscious racism (the worst kind) and a raw maliciousness hidden beneath an aw-shucks-I'm-jes- tryin'-to-be-funny pose. The piece seemed calculated to shock and offend. At the end Higginson even provided his e-mail address for "questions, comments, or cuss words." Mr. Stevens responded with barely contained fury. Granted, invective has its value. But from the rage there emerged an apt word: unsavory. Mr. Stevens was right to imply with that choice of words that the review was tasteless. But it lacks not only sabor (flavor), but also saber (knowledge). How else does one account for the fact that Higginson didn't bother to find out that Colima is the name both of a state and of its capital city in Southwestern Mexico? In his fanciful postscript, Higginson opts instead for easy scatological humor: "What exactly does Colima mean? My educated guess is 'colon blast.'" In his rejoinder, an unregenerate Higginson (seemingly pleased with the publicity) defends himself by invoking freedom of speech. I also believe that in an open marketplace of ideas, the truth will eventually surface. Speech should be protected, even condescending, mean-spirited speech. Higginson says that it's wrong to interpret his article as an attempt to belittle another culture. But really, that is what the review does. We, as readers, don't have the power to divine a writer's intentions. We make our interpretations based on what we read and see. Most people (at least the people I talked with), read Higginson's review as a chauvinistic and —dare I say it— racist piece of journalism. Higginson dispenses with Amy Ramos's thoughtful letter with a throwaway line, which leads me to the question of editing. Why not make simple corrections in Ms. Ramos's letter? (the capitalization of "i," the substitution of "critic" for "critique," or simply the addition of a final "d" to make "prejudice" into "prejudiced") If I weren't a skeptic, I would venture that the lack of editing is part of an effort to portray Ms. Ramos in poor light, when in fact her letter, though at times poorly written, is full of insight. As for my personal reaction to the review . . . Last Monday, having just returned from a conference in South Texas, I was telling everyone who wanted to hear (and many who probably didn't), about the Rio Grande Valley, its fascinating Spanish-English code switching, and the smell of fresh corn tortillas wafting through the morning air. The hospitality, talent and genuine good humor of my (Hispanic) hosts at the University of Texas Pan-American had impressed me. We conference participants were treated to a play by Cervantes, music by the campus mariachi, and excellent Mexican food. While still under the sway of such pleasant memories, I opened the Carolinian to see the review of Colima, accompanied by a photo graph of Mr. Higginson, looking as if he were trying out for a part as an extra in an Indio Fernandez film. The review struck me as offensive and unfair. If, as Higginson writes, "everything tastes virtually the same," are we to assume that Mr. Higginson tried everything on the menu? The review got me thinking about how Americans are often detested abroad. The title of a novel from the fifties, The Ugly American, supplies a nice tag to describe the American who, despite an ignorance of other languages and cultures, nevertheless assumes that her or his own are superior. In the nineteenth century, the United States invaded Mexico. Ulysses S. Grant, who took part in the invasion, considered the war to be one of the most unjust in history. Almost half of Mexico's territory was subsequently lost to the USA. Today, Mexico fortifies the American economy with cheap labor. So it's understandable that Mexicans are wary of their good neighbors to the north. With a stoic sense of humor, they sometimes say, "Pobre Mexico, tan lejos del cielo y tan cerca de los Estados Unidos" ("Poor Mexico, so far from heaven; so close to the United States.") Mr. Higginson's review, with its implicit sense of superiority, certainly does nothing for the cause of cultural understanding. I can hear Higginson's reply already: "but I was just giving my opinion about a restaurant ..." While that may have been his intention, I think his article was much more. In fact, I welcome it because it may serve to get us thinking and talking about prejudices that we all have within ourselves, even if we don't acknowledge them. Sincerely, Mark Couture, Assistant Professor of Spanish Raising Concerns over ISIS' Intents Dear Editor, My wife and I first became involved with ISIS when we attended a presentation of theirs on March 3, 1999. The presentation was "Wiccan & Pagan Religious Beliefs from the Bible & Shakespearean Texts" to be presented by an "Ordained Wiccan Chaplain via the United States Military and also a Wiccan High Priest". We were surprised to find out that the speaker was a member of ISIS. The following week we were also surprised to find out a few other things about the speaker, including the fact that he was NOT a Wiccan Chaplain in the US Military. This misrepresentation, along with other statements made by this person regarding ISIS and the development of a local business caused me to question his motives in the group. I took my concerns to Kyle Kissman (co-president of ISIS). Mr. Kissman seemed shocked by the information that I had concerning one of ISIS's more prominent members. Mr. Kissman assured me that this situation would be handled at the next ISIS meeting. It was not. The next ISIS meeting involved the viewing of a video tape called "Halloween: Trick or Treat" which depicted extremist Christian views on Pagan Holidays. This video was shown for a laugh, not exactly to promote "tolerance from one group to the next". Following this video, my wife and I left the meeting. The next day, I received an e-mail message from ISIS stating that my wife was "no longer welcome at ISIS" and that she had "accused another of lack of trust" but was herself "untrustworthy". The message stated that they were "requesting that [she] not attend on grounds of misinformation". According to Mr. Kissman during a later phone call, this message related not to the before mentioned events, but rather a conversation that my wife had with the proprietor of a local shop regarding Mr. Kissman's behavior as co-president of ISIS. Following this incident, I took it upon myself to inform those members of ISIS who were interested about my previously mentioned concerns with the group (which Mr. Kissman had quietly ignored). Upon e-mailing the entire group that I had (what I considered) important information, I received inquisitive responses from a few members, including (surprisingly) ISIS's other co-president. I also spoke with the (now former) Faculty Advisor for the group who had previously stopped attending meetings because of concerns over the direction that the group was taking. Following this conversation, he resigned as their Advisor. The concept and mission of ISIS as stated in their constitution sounds wonderful, however, the actuality of the group has left a little to be desired. ISIS has a new advisor now, as well as the endorsement and support of the SGA. I sincerely hope that ISIS will reflect well upon those newly involved. lames D. Lunsford Student Meal Card Trauma Dear Editor, I am an on-campus student here at Western. I have a problem that I would like to be discussed. This matter has to do with meal cards, and not having the option of getting any money back at the end of the school year. I think that this "rule" is completely unfair. First of all, most of us here on campus are totally broke (myself included). We are here at Western to get a college education, which is fairly expensive for either the parent or the student. Freshmen must buy a meal card even though this might be against their wishes. It would only be fair to let any students with any meal points left, to get a refund. Besides, this is money that had to be paid, with no questions or choice in the matter. So in other words, those that are made to pay for something, and that obey, should have the option of getting a cash refund of the extra money not spent. Every freshman that resides on campus is required to purchase one of several choices of meal plans. This must be a lot of money that Western is receiving. What is this money being used for? I have seen several improvements around the food courts, but nothing dramatic. On some certain days and times during the week, their might be one place open for us "Catcard" people, which doesn't leave much variety for us. If we must purchase a meal card, we should have the option of eating at anyplace on campus within reasonable hours. In other words, between the hours of say, 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. (For those people who do not come home until late because of a job, such as myself.) We paid for this service, therefore it should be available anytime for us students. I am paying for my entire education, and I saved up for two years working throughout high school to come to a decent priced university. I bought a meal card, just because I had too, when I could have saved much more money buying groceries. It is no secret that the food courts are WAY overpriced. (A dollar for a 20-ounce drink, four dollars for a sandwich, and JUST a sandwich, come on!) I ate a couple meals a day throughout the semester, and I still have a good deal of points left. SOME of us are paying our way through college, and we would appreciate any money that is justly ours, and belongs to us, to be paid back. Even if this difference is just a few cents, or a few dollars, Western needs to refund it, this is OUR money, not yours. Thank you, Sarah Durham Food Critic Apologizes I would like to offer my sincere apologies to Amy Ramos. It was unethical of me to place a personal e-mail into the editorial section without asking permission. I am new to the newspaper scene, so I hope that Amy and the rest of my readers will forgive me. Dr. Couture, thank you for the thought that you placed in writting your response to my column. I will try to be more conscience and sensitive to other cultures, while at the same time fairly review restaurants. Sincerely, Todd Higginson mi sin Phone: 227-7267; Fax: 227-7043; e-mail: Carolinian^1 wc u. e d u ferry K. Roberts, Editor Donald Costello, Managing Editor Seth R. Sams, News Editor Phoebe Esmon, Features Editor Daniel Hooker, Sports Editor Crystal Frame, Production Manager Nichole Hardy, Copy Editor Website: http://wcuvaxLwcu.edu/-~caroiinian Open 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Staff meetings are held on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Contributing Writers: Alex Esmon, Jeffrey Sykes, Jeff leatherwood, Todd Higginson, and Mike Poston, John Moore, Advisor The Carolinian welcomes letters from res readers. Letters printed contain the expressions and values of their authors. The Western (larolinian reserves the right to refuse publication of letters containing defamatory statements or obscenities. All entries must be signed and no longer than 250 words.

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1999-04-28
  • Date digitized: 2020-01-29
• Extent
  • Dimension: 14" x 11.25"
  • Pages: 16 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
  • Western Carolina University -- Periodicals
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1999-04-28_Vol63_No29
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library