It’s not really a smallworld

Dear Editor,

I was displeased when I read Coleman G. Anglin’scommentary, “It’s not a small world; quit calling itthat.”  It seemed that this piece would oppose my work,which was titled “It’s a small world.”

In my commentary, I described an experience in which I ran intoa guy named Michael, a fellow SMU freshman. We had a two-minuteconversation on a subway in Paris, France.

Then I explained that many times people are rude to others whentraveling. But, I also stated I was fortunate that Michael andothers were happy to talk to my friends and myself on our trip.

In Mr. Anglin’s article, he described how he got out ofhis shell and learned about the languages and cultures of theworld.

I found his commentary on the importance of understanding howpeople view the world to be very interesting.  For the mostpart, the content of his commentary is not argumentative towardthat of mine.

However, he does try to suggest, both in his article’stitle and in the 17th paragraph, that people should not use thephrase, “It’s a small world.”

Mr. Anglin: I don’t actually think it’s literally asmall world.

I titled the article, “It’s a small world,”because that phrase is a hyperbole and a paradoxical statement usedto describe a situation when one finds something that he can relateto when far away from home.

For instance, when you meet some guy in France who will beattending the same small university, you say: “Wow!It’s a small world.”

The world isn’t actually small; the statement is anexaggeration.  It’s a paradoxical statement in thatwhile the world is so large in actual size, so much of it can berelated.

The size of the world is daunting.  The plethora ofcultures is awesome.

I admire your taking on languages and cultures, Mr. Anglin.

Sincerely,

Jack Britton

First -year business major

Rotunda and stereotypes

Dear Editor,

The problem of stereotypes lies with us.

As an active and proud SMU undergraduate, I was outraged withthe condoning of stereotypes and the SMU “bubble” bythe Rotunda yearbook.

The yearbook is beautifully done. Granted, there can’t bea page for everything. But I feel its emphasis was directed thewrong way.

Yearbooks are supposed to act like scrapbooks, highlightingmoments of the year, both good and bad.  Where were the restof the good things?

There are 35 pages dedicated to greek organizations in thecenter.  Greeks are great and they represent a huge part ofour school.

But I know I’m not the only non-greek who is very involvedin outside things that were not even touched on in the book whowonders, “what happened?”

There are awesome programs in the arts, Tate lectures, residencelife, volunteer opportunities and more that could have gotten alittle more attention.

What I am mostly disappointed about the newlyreleased yearbook, is the lack of representation of studentlife. I am equally bothered by the focus on obscure, demeaningareas.

There were areas of the campus missing from the pages. However,Sing-Song, Gucci designers and breast implants had two-pagespreads.

On the other hand, there wasn’t a single word about theyears students put into residence life.

These students give each and every night (sometimes hours) tomaking a difference in the lives of our first-years and thereforeour student body as a whole.

Yearbooks are supposed to remind people of things in their fouryears (or more) of college.

I was hoping, along with tid-bits of information about society,I could take my yearbook home and remember (by any allusion) theyear I spent at Boaz. That year I would wake up 3:30 a.m. in Boazand deal with kids who I learned to love.

Maybe I should’ve gotten breast implants instead, but Ilike to think I have more self-confidence than that.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Schroder

Junior business major