University of Virginia Library

Gay Justified

By defeating the motion to take
action against Phi Alpha Delta
the Student Council missed its
opportunity to show that its rule
against segregated facilities is not
a hollow facade. Rather, the Council
did prove that it only wanted
to go down in history as a group
of enlightened gentlemen, understanding
enough to make a rule
against a social absurdity, but not
so fanatic as to actually enforce
it.

Of course, Mr Gay's remark
about the racist policy of this
Council was fully justified. The
passive attitude, i.e. tolerating discrimination,
is the most common
form of racism these days. Mr.
Ford considers it "beneath the
dignity of a Council member to
call the Student Council racist."
He states that the Council was
"not unwilling to enforce the rule,
but deemed it wise not to at this
time."

The only way the Student Council
can prove its integrity, is by
acting according to the principles
it allegedly stands for. Until there
are reports of the Council's actions
beyond just hollow talk,
there is hardly anything which is
beneath the dignity of a Council
member, and the most dignified
thing he can do, is lock himself
up in a dark room and stay
there.