Music school leader deserves thank you

As two students of the MSU School of Music, we believe one man deserves to be recognized.

If anyone has ever met music Professor Jonathan Reed, he or she knows his caring, understanding and above all enthusiasm is unlike any other. He has a passion for music that is genuine and inspiring.

We just wanted to take the time to thank him for all he has done for the students of this school.

Thank you for motivating us and giving us what we need to push ourselves to levels we never thought possible. Thank you for always having a smile and a positive outlook no matter what the circumstances are. Thank you for your willingness to take the time to know your students and understand who we are.

You truly have inspired so many people at this school in so many ways. Word’s can’t express our gratitude for what you’ve taught us and what you’ve shown us.

You truly are a great educator and mentor.

Marta Bieganski
music therapy junior

Terressa Birchen
vocal performance and
music education sophomore

More people should have heard Jackson

Shame on you, MSU students. Sunday’s address by the Rev. Jesse Jackson should have filled Breslin Center.

But the bleachers were only speckled with people, and floor seats were just barely filled.

For a student-organized event, one would think that more students would have bothered to show up.

For those who objected to on the grounds it was a political event, or Jackson isn’t an admirable person, think again.

The point of the event was to promote peace - nothing political or unadmirable.

Those in attendance were there to share a time of solidarity to reflect upon the peaceful world we aspire to have.

For those that didn’t attend because they didn’t care, I think one of Jackson’s statements fits perfectly -“The opposite of love is indifference, worse than hate.”

If you don’t care about peace, why bother caring about anything?

I am embarrassed by my university’s indifference.

In a world where unity and understanding between religions, ethnicities, races, genders, sexual orientations, etc., is crucial for peace to even stand a chance, the majority of this school’s students have made a statement that peace just isn’t that important.

Even if you weren’t able to get one of the 2,000 free tickets, there were others available for $5, the price one might pay for a drink on Saturday night.

Spartan Stadium was filled with fans Saturday when the Spartans lost to a team against which they should have been able to win.

How sad this university can’t fill a building with fans of peace - something we can’t afford to lose.

Heidi Renee Jury
journalism senior

People care too much about words

In response to Dan Bravender’s letter “Christian society should change name” (SN 9/12), I would like to say that we, in the United States, have become too caught up in being politically correct.

First of all, if you look up the word “crusade” in the dictionary, you will find it to mean “a remedial enterprise undertaken with zeal and enthusiasm” - a fine idea.

Of course, we all do think of the crusades, a specific unsavory event in history, but that is not to say the campus organization implies such violence.

I feel it has the right, as anyone else, to use the word in its original form.

And he argument that a German group would not refer to the Holocaust is a weak comparison.

According to the dictionary, a “holocaust” is “a thorough destruction involving extensive loss of life, especially through fire.” I certainly could not imagine any peaceful organization of any kind taking on a name with such destructive meaning, regardless of the World War II Holocaust.

My point is the nation spends too much time finding the right words - whether to say “black” or “African American,” “white” or “Caucasian,” and not enough time finding the right actions.

Let us take a lesson from the events of Sept. 11, 2001, as we should have from the Holocaust and the crusades, and try to eliminate prejudice and injustice, not just talk about it.

And in the future, will we be able to say the numbers nine and 11 again - or will they have too many destructive connotations?

Elizabeth Andre
art history senior

Group’s name not comparable to jihad

Dan Bravender wrote a letter to the editor (“Christian society should change name” SN 9/12) suggesting Campus Crusade for Christ should change its name because it is “inappropriate.”

A crusade is defined as a vigorous, concerted action for some cause or idea. And that is exactly what Campus Crusade for Christ is about.

The organization’s Web site, www.cccmsu.org, describes its mission as the following: “Campus Crusade for Christ is an interdenominational ministry committed to helping take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations.

“We cooperate with millions of Christians from churches of many denominations and hundreds of other Christian organizations around the world to help Christians grow in their faith and share the Gospel message with their fellow countrymen.”

To compare this message to the word “jihad” - a “holy war” - is an awful misconception.

Granted, the word crusade may have described an unfortunate era some 900 years ago, but the goals of present-day followers of Jesus and the people who Americans have come to associate with those fighting a jihad are in sharp contrast.

I encourage those who might think otherwise to check out Crusade for themselves at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in N100 Business College Complex.

Chris Meagher
journalism sophomore