NU needs cultural houses
To anyone who has questioned (in The Daily or elsewhere) the necessity of cultural Greek organizations:
In 1917, when the first black Greek letter organization was founded at Northwestern, its members (all black) were not permitted to live on campus. In 1956, when freshman Sherman Wu was admitted to Psi Upsilon fraternity, white students became enraged and he was immediately de-pledged. In 2005, Aretha Chakraborti wrote a Chronicle article titled "Black people drive me nuts," arguing that blacks complained too much and needed to work harder. In 2006, Chakraborti became Panhel's president-elect.
So last Friday, when the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek Council held a "protest rally" at Deering Field in response to a letter The Daily printed Nov. 3 attacking the premise of cultural Greek organizations, I didn't attend.
Why should I feel inclined to defend the principles of my organization to people who have never taken the time to understand our mission or our history? For 100 years, we have formed persistent bonds of brotherhood that transcend college years and are truly lifelong relationships. For 100 years, we have proudly served America, and specifically black America, of which we were born and to which we have committed ourselves.
The fact that Panhel just elected a President who, at any time, was "driven crazy" by black people is a testament to the strained race relations on this campus and in this country, and furthermore to the continuing necessity of organizations such as ours. And to anyone who wants to question our presence on this campus after this recent election, I challenge you to question the history and premise of your own organization, the actions of your governing body and the qualities of your elected leaders.
- Mark Crain Weinberg sophomore member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Goldbeck: Don't point fingers
In Janessa Goldbeck's Nov. 16 column on affordable housing in Evanston, she wrongly blames Northwestern and the city government for the decrease in affordable housing. As an intern for Evanston City Planning, I can proudly say that the city's housing planner dedicates herself to affordable housing and diversity.
New luxury units and development projects are not being constructed on existing affordable housing; rather, developers are finding abandoned sites and new land to develop. If the inclusionary housing bill is passed, these developments will have to set aside units for affordable housing or provide money for construction of new affordable housing. Thus, Evanston City Planning is doing its part to make sure that even as prices go up, there will be affordable housing for city residents.
Also, NU students should not be blamed if their parents make an investment. But places like Optima Towers are not swarmed with Wildcats. Developers are not making these units for the benefit of NU students; many Evanston residents live in these condominiums, as well. In order to get more accurate information on these issues, it would be best to consult Evanston City Planning or an Evanston non-profit housing corporation, rather than relying on a Chicago housing corporation.
- Jillian Nameth Weinberg junior
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