More like gift of garbage
I read the Vanguard because I believe that a middle ground between anarchistic fury and bigoted finger-pointing should exist in the spectrum of college newspaper ideologies. Until recently, I relied on your newspaper as a “call-it-as-it-is” paper that avoids the typical bullshit associated with student-run media. Yet, your Notes From the Underground/Gift of Gab article made me wonder if I have been confusing blatant ignorance with objective reporting this whole time [“The gift of gab,” April 15].
Yes, there exists an underground/mainstream tension in hip-hop, but that is merely a reflection of a larger issue found in punk, emo, techno and other forms of popular music. What is happening in Portland is, say it with me, gen-tri-fi-ca-tion. You know the drill. A bunch of privileged white kids co-opt what they believe to be the next “big thing,” usually a cultural art form foreign to their own Lake Oswego backgrounds, they research the hell out of it’s history, spend lots of money on artifacts (vinyl, Manga, etc.), and then claim to be “part of the culture.” The concerns of the members of the “original” or “true” culture are ignored, the drawbacks are sidestepped in favor of white privilege, and control is given to the new, whiter members. So on and so forth, register for a few relevant courses, take notes, etc…
What happened at Wax was this: Some “local” (*whisper* Black *whisper*) residents show up expecting a rap show, they walk into a gym full of dancing white kids, and they feel as if they were tricked out of five bucks and half of their evening. Period point fucking blank.
This has nothing do to with 808 kickdrums, “progressive hip-hop” or crunk. What it has to do with is lack of representation. White people can and should be allowed to participate in hip-hop culture, but on the other hand, one could argue that they are taking the whole thing over. Although I am not familiar with all of the people interviewed in your article, I do happen to know that two of the DJs, one of the “consultants,” and several of the artists referenced in the story, are white. Further, successful Black artists (i.e. E-40) are inappropriately labeled “mainstream” when they, in fact, worked their way out of crack houses by selling discs on the streets of Oakland.
For every DJ Horn-Rimz from Beaverton working his way into a two-bedroom with space for six turntables, a Black MC who goes by his real name is attempting to fight against a lack of opportunity and a physically visible social label to feed his seven brothers and sisters in a Northeast neighborhood that recently felt a slight increase in “property value” (rent) when the McJohnsons moved in.
I’m sorry there, “Wax,” but you just got served.
R. Matt McMillin
DJ, producer, MC
More to Sodexho
Your piece on the new food services contract between PSU and Sodexho raises more questions than it answers, and seems to be missing large amounts of useful information [“Aramark employees: nothing guaranteed,” April 12, “Students threaten Sodexho boycott,” April 15]. First, the article discusses the fears of current union workers, but it’s unclear from reading the article if the food service workers in the cafeteria are employed by PSU or by Aramark. If the cafeteria workers are employed by Aramark, who lost the contract, then requiring them to “re-apply” for jobs with a completely different company isn’t unfair or wrong. Just the opposite: it’s generous to offer to hire employees of an exiting corporation rather than automatically dismissing them. If PSU has some leverage or stake in who is hired for food service positions, the article makes no clear mention of it.
The article also makes mention of “shady business practices” and ties those allegations to the prison industry. Forgive me if I sound naive, but what, exactly, is ‘shady’ or otherwise undesirable about providing services to prisons, here or overseas? How is “considerable stock in the prison industry” equitable to bad or undesirable business? Perhaps Ms. Blakeslee or Mr. Eckman (who are the source of those remarks) would care to submit an editorial piece justifying that implication, as the piece itself does not address the issue.
Chris Doggett
Portland
Fortmiller long committed to education
I went to high school with Dan Fortmiller, and I can say that as far back as our high school years Dan has been an advocate of education [“Interim dean faced with times of transformation,” April 12]. I commend him for stepping up to the plate so quickly and presenting a calm and professional demeanor. I would like Dan to know that, as a high school comrade from years ago, I still applaud him and support his courageous plans.
Linda Couch Liebert
California
Anti-vegetarian logic flawed
[“Plants have feelings, too,” April 8] is an idiotic editorial. Again, there is no scientific, biological evidence that plants are sentient (i.e. that they have subjective worlds). Even if they did, in order to reduce the total amount of suffering in the world, you would choose a vegetarian diet, because most of the grains grown these days are fed directly to farm animals – a very inefficient use of your “feeling” plants, don’t you think?
David Sudarsky
Arizona
Ed. Note: The column referenced was written by an opinion columnist and does not reflect the opinions of the Vanguard editorial board.
Nick sucks
Nick, in case you haven’t yet been told, you’re a condescending, myopic, smug, and might I add self-righteous idiot [“The Wonderful World of Rock,” April 15]. You live in the grand state of Oregon, free of the stain of hicks and racists. One would think you reside on the East Coast, in light of your ignorant fly-over state view. Do us a favor, Nick. Get your petty degree in “journalism” and go to work for the Thrifty Nickel pitching your uppity wares. Good luck in all you do and follow your heart.
Steve Fox
Utah
Imitate Cedric to lessen his impact
Cedric may be annoying at times, but I have the perfect solution for those who want to see him gone [“Cedric the not so entertaining,” April 5].
This is a college campus, so I’m sure it would be no problem to round up a trombone, accordion, trumpet, flute, a drum or two, and some willing students to play said instruments (It’s not important that they actually know how to play).
All we need is a little impromptu marching band action down by his tree. One annoyance will counteract another, like matter and anti-matter. It may not work exactly as planned, but either way it will be fun to watch.
Aaron O’Donnell
Student