SPECIAL EDITION
T H E
ROTUNDA MAY 1. 1992
LONGWOOD COLLEGE
VOL. 71, NO. 20
STUDENTS PROTEST KING DECISION By ERIN McCAY Managing Editor "LA., noway, we need Justice today!" was the chant echoing across Longwood's campus April 30 as I almost one hundred Longwood students demonstrated against the acquittal of the police officers Involved In the videotaped beating of Rodney King. In March 1991, Rodney King was beaten by four white Los Angeles police ofTlcers: Sgt. Stacey Koon, Officer Theodore Briseno. Officer Laurence Powell, and Officer Timothy Wind. King sustained nearly a dozen skull fractures. Including a shattered eye socket and destroyed cheekbone. He currently suffers from severe headaches and partial facial paralysis. On the evening of April 29. 1992.elghtLongwoodstudentsfirst heard the trial results In the Rodney King case. Upon learning that all four policemen accused of the brutal beating of Rodney King, a black man. had been acquitted, the students decided to stage a demonstration on campus. They proceeded to contact their friends, as well as all sororities on campus, black and white, requesting their support and asking that all students stand together. The demonstration was motivated almost completely by Ixmgwood's Association of Black Students (ADS). Students bearing signs reading "Wasn't One King Enough?". "Will The Rodney King Trial Set a Precedent?". "Freedom Rang Too Loudly for the Four Policemen", and. "Who are the Real Criminals In the Rodney King Case?" marched through campus and prayed for peace and racial equality.
f,
We are not anti-white, we are projustice Doncella Hampton. President of the Association of Black Students, was angered by the events taking place In Los Angeles. "We really think that we need to take a stand. If It can happen to (King], It can happen to anyone. Something needs to be done about this." Johnall Arrington. Vice
"We agree with them. What happened is nol right, It's nol fall loi anybody to be treated like that.
One highly-placed administrator fell quite strongly about the whole Rodney King episode, "llie reaction to the Rodney King trial decision is merely a response to the urban plight ami racial indifference shown by our government In the past 12 years." i le died some oi the possible causes loi the current unrest. "LA's inner city was already suffering the worst of the recession. 45% unemployment rale. 50% ai
crime record, bankruptcy, and gang violence are all contributing factors The King decision was merely the final catalyst dial has enable people 10 Stand Up say that they are 11<>I fining to and lake this anymore "
Longwood students expressed their feelings at a non-violent demoslralion held around the fountain.
President of ABS agreed "Bla< k student* are standing together to tell everyone about the injustice that was done to Rodney King." Arrington stressed the nonviolent natureof the gathering. "This is not a protest. It is a demonstration."hecommented. "We are only doing this to let everyone at Longwood know about what happened yesterday. This is non violent. We just want people to know how we stand." Arrington also made clear the tone of the demonstration. "We are not anti-white, we are pro-Justice. We are not for any violent acts. Unfortunately, many people don't know anything about the case. It was unfair and justice should be for all people." The racial overtones of recent events are quite apparent, however. The fairness of the trial is considered suspect by many, both black and white. One major lac tor -contributing to this impression is the make up of the jury. There were no black jurors serving, and only one Asian and one Hispanic. "It...says It's O.K. to ... kick the crap out of them and ... you'll walk." remarked Steve Lerman,
attorney for Mr. King. "The system failed us." commented Tom Bradley. Mayor of Los Angeles. "We saw what we saw. arid what we saw was a crime." Expressing an opposing view. President Bush called for "calm and respect for the law." adding "fTlhe court system has worked." Members of ABS were not the only students making a stand, however. Shelly Church, a white student, stated "I think this is something that effects everyone More people should be out here today." SGA President Darrell Wells was contacted Immediately after the demonstration began. "I am not really sure what they are trying to ii i omplish with this," he said. Tin not very Informed on the subject." Upon being asked if he agreed with what they were trying to say, Wells answered "I don't agree with all the violence In I. A., but if this Is a peaceful way of saying what the people in L.A. are trying to do, then yes. 1 agree." Wells went on further to
made." Asked if he stood by what the court said, he replied "I think you pretty much have to if you are going to put any faith lntoour justice system at all."
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The system
failed us
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Some members of the student body disagree. 'We are not going to sit Idly by and let these things happen." said Ricky Grimes arising senior and chemistry/pre med major who participated In the demonstration Many students not I aiin Ipatlng In the protest echoed his opinion "I agree with their slant I because they were wrong In LA staled senior math majoi Michael Olnnelll Three members of Alpha support the court's decision. "I think thai this Is a decision that the court Gamma Delta sorority concurred.
Longwood Raises Tuition 9.9 Percent Longwood College students from the state of Virginia will pay an Increase In tuition of 9.9 percent next \ This decision was reached ai the Board ol Visitors meeting of April 267, 1992. This Increase creates a $656 addition to the present $6,594 tuition Virginia residents pay. raising it to $7,250. Those students who live outof state will see an Increase of 13.5 percent In their tuition rates, raising the 1992-93 fee to $11,576. Accoidiug to Longwood President William F. Dorrill. the calculation of charges was "heavily impacted by ai.eeiher five percent reduction In State
funding, which we are permitted to replace with tuition dollars Dr. Dorrill also noted th.it the state supplied 71.4 percent of the education cost in 1991-92, but with the new cuts, thissupprt dec reasea to 55.00 percent, placing Virginia among the bottom twelve states in per -student stale appropriate.
an Increase In financial aid year, and the numbei "1 required available to students. According high school coui Irom 16 to Kick Hurley, Vice President foi to 1H. Bu itlveAflali A number of faculty membi appropriations iiom he- state 1 '1 at this meeting. the 1982 94 blennlum double the Mark Baldridge (art). Dr. Man: current allocation for linanc lal Maxwell (chemistry), and Dr Sue aid The amounts allocated will be Shaw (economics) were promoted $516,000 the fir ind loPl kBai n $1,023,000 by the er, (finance). Dr. RayBrastow inomlcs), higher tuition will prevent The Board al (the faculty and si.,11 lay..IN This Will ll Operating OHvei enable the college to par tic tpate in Budget ftlls budget totals more 'ire. the 1 location than $31 million Despite this Increase in tuition, a\ Dr. 1 Virginia students il The Longwood College will | r Students and trai 1992-93 than similar sli students* In a natery 50 percent of all hi, n The InV Virginia colleges and univc minimi w770. Itha One bright note loi Students is whit h is 20 points higher than last university in I i
90's Relive The 60's In More Ways Than One By ERIN McCAY Managing Editor The 1990s fashion scene saw a resurgence In clothing styles that were popular In the late 1960s. Known as the "retro sixties" ix)k. apparel designers were again producing baby doll lresses. mini skirts, and wild, psychadelic prints. Models with sixties hair styles grace! the covers of Vogue and
This administrator supported the actions of the students. "Its nice MadsmoiMfls, toseeourstudenis aware oi what's On the music scene. MTV goingon and voicing their concerns. elebrated its own "Summer of Its only when our society as a whole Love." harkenlng back to the does so that we can draw attention lays of flower children and to this problems." l.ilght-Asbury. The original Phyllis Mable. Vice President I. lie ison Airplane produced a for Student Affairs, also showed her hew album, new groups, such support for the students. "I think is Deee lite, emulated the look that our students who are doing the mil sounds of that decade. protest are doing exactly what they Hut the darker side of the should and I feel that they are turbulent sixties is also making expressing appropriate thoughts i reappearance. Similar lo the furor over and appropriate feelings that people all over the United Stales feel." druggie' lyrics of groups such is the Hyrds and the Bob Dylan, Longwood President William ihere Is currently a strong movement by some lo ban F. Dorrill had no comment. The non violent demon obscene" music, such as that stration staged by Longwood's performed by 2 Live Crew. students was nol the only Rodney LSD. the drug of choice King related protest which occurod :luring the late sixties. Is making in die United Slates today. i comeback on college ampuses nationwide. Campuses In Washington. And. tragically, many are D.C.. Minneapolis. Boston, and .i ill lighting battles that began Atlanta were all the scene of protests, thirty years ago. Women face the potential marches, or vigils. Though, like Longwood's. most of the student's jverturnlng of Roe v. Wade, the protesting were peaceful, some Supreme Court decision colleges and universities did making abortion legal, as well is a landmark case In the experience episodes of violenc e urthertng of basic human So far, at least seventeen Ighis, have died and over 480 have been injured in the violence that has And the racial tension and been the aftermath of the King trial /lolence our country 's Experiencing now is similar to decision. hat ol lh<- sixties. Like Los in Los Angeles, a dawn to tageles this evening. Detroit ind other cities experienced dusk CUlfeW has been iinpc-.ee! tating race riots he,m Schools weie c lusecl. and the city iiiv awaits the arrival of the tvhlch they have yet to fully e-i National Guard.
Exam Schedule Exam Date
9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, T/R May 2 11:20
Monday, May 4
T/R 2:30
2:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m.
M/W/F 1:30
M/W/F 4:30
M/W/F 9:30
& Conflict/ Makeup M/W/F 2:30 M/W starting between 5:30 & 7:30 & Monday night
M/W/F 3:30 Tuesday, May 5
M/W/F 8:30
Wednesday. T/R |May 6 8:30
T/R 9:55
M/W/F 11:30
T/R starting between 5:30 &7:30& Tuesday night T/R 3:55 M/W starting 7:30 or later and Wed. night
COMMENTARY
Page 2
Editorial Bravo to those students who took part In yesterday s protest against the trial results of the Rodney King rase!
The apathy which haa .• 111■* ted thto campus In the past seems to be dissipating, but is is appalling that the catalyst fol
this welcome show of student
presented with overwhelming evident e to the contrary (they were on that videotape, weren't they?), all lour of Kings attackers were acquitted And what weie the results? ers working out ol Ihe same San Fernando Valley police station as the accused 11.i'i'>I "high fives," slapped each other on the back, and, Ironh ally, "thrust their fists in the air." a gesture similar to thai employed by blacks during the early days of Ihe civil rights
provoked that attack! ? We hope not. But we also understand, and share, the let hugs of rage and frustration felt this evening by all Americans with a conscience. No one, whatever race, gender. religious denomination, or nomic level they belong to. should become victims of society as a whole. But people of color have In the past and continue to be the scapegoats of society. Many of society's ills, from the drug problem, to poverty, to lower education levels, have been blamed on blacks or Hlspanlcs. Many whites seem unwilling to accept the fact that they are responsible for the situation today, not those whose ancestors were forced from their homes into unwilling bondage. We grieve that Rodney King was made to endure the savagery of the L.AI'.D. We lament those whose lives have been lost in recent episodes of violence. And we hope that those sacrifices were not made in vain. America must be made to see the uselessness of continuing with Its policy of descrlminatlon and racism. E. Randel Osburn. of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, stated "If you were in South Africa, you would expect it. The response of the Jury is barbaric."
n was one of the most Infamous court decisions of recent years. The students were completely correct to demonstrate. It Is the movement. travesty of Justice which has Few others wen pleased by the occurred that should make every verdict Caucasian In America at least Violence has broken out in hang his or her head In shame, II Atlanta, New York. and. not I hey are unwilling to scream in surprisingly. Los Angeles. Both pro'' Atlanta and Los Angeles are How can a country that prides itseli <.ii equality for all of i iinentry abiding by an enforced i HI lew. Schools and businesses Itlzena stand for sin h a have been closed. Fires rage, stores ut misuse of the Justice are looted and injuries, both system? mortal and not. have been Rodney King lost wh.it little chance he had for a fair review of reported At press time, seventeen people the charges against his had died as a direct result of the aggressors when the location of violence, and over lour hundred the trial was moved to Slml had been injured. Valley, California. We do not condone the violence. It was from the voter registration rolls of that area that No one wanted more injuries to occur But Ihe situation in Los a Jury was chosen. Incredibly, Angeles seems to have been not oitrjworcluisen was black! deliberately mishandled by the Los Angeles Police Department. When The only members of the twelve-person Jury who were not reports of rioting began to trickle white were one Hispanic and one in. the police were obviously slow in responding. Asian. Is this going to turn into a Are there no black voters in the South Africa has taken great scenario wherein police chief Daryl entire Slml Valley? strides forward In the abolishment Uut technically. Rodney King's Gales can simply shrug and say of unfair racial discrimination. "See. they are only animals brutallzers did receive a fair trial. When will American follow suit? anyway. Rodney King must have Though the Jurors were
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