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To say that the news of racial harassment occurring at Norwich between
members of the student body was shocking would be an understatement. One
of the things we take for granted is that such issues have long since
died at the nation's institutions of higher learning. Certainly at a school
such as Norwich, which professes to uphold the highest ideals of the United
States, it could be expected that students would be respectful, not resentful,
of the diversity that is America's strength.
Educated people should know enough to be respectful of the freedoms of
others earned by the blood of our ancestors in war and protest. The minorities
of this country have always fought for their rights. Whether it was the
black citizens of the 1960s or the Irish immigrant of the 1890s, as far
back as the earliest days of the colonies, when religious pilgrims escaped
persecution in Europe by coming to the new world, this nation has stood
for the right of the individual to be free. Free to achieve whatever success
he can with the toil of his body and the strength of his mind. Never was
this nation meant to be a land where a person was denied their rights
because of the color of their skin, by what name they call God, or from
what land their fathers came.
In the 227 years of America's history, it has fallen short of always
achieving its promise of universal justice for all its citizens. However,
for those 227 years it has been pursuing that goal. We are closer now
than ever before to having a society of universal respect. Those who try
to hold us back with hateful thought, words, and deeds are all that stand
between us today and the goals laid down for us by our founding fathers.
At Norwich, where loyalty to our country is a way of life, it is our
duty not to tolerate these usurpers of freedom. We must ensure that they
do not jeopardize the American dream of freedom and justice for ALL.
Back to Guidon index
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Committee begins search
for new commandant
Racial harassment
persists on campus
New NU attendance policy
poses problems for athletes
Men's basketball
team enriches community's youth
Internet service
upgrade doubles bandwidth on Norwich campus
Criminal justice group
provides educational trip for NU students
Men's hockey team
hits midway season unblemished
NU baseball team gears up
for another season
Young NU wrestling
team strives for excellence
NU women's basketball
improves as season progresses
NU hosts Vermont College Alcohol
Network seminar
Reading Group helps
children enjoy learning
Youth Center offers
place to do homework, enjoy entertainment
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