description:
Page Two THE SKYSCRAPER April 6,1966 H I 11 L ulJTuuililrtn will grip current issues and events and l hold them before the campus in order that members of the Mundelein community may sense and direct history rather than bob in its wake. Challenge SCLC'S 'Peaceful' Tactics Their last target was Selma, their present Chicago. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) has now brought their pro gram to Chicago slums. They are living among the people and teaching them to act for themselves, specifically in the area of reforming welfare laws in Chicago. Then they will move on, leaving no formal extension of their organization. Hopefully, they will leave a strong impression upon the people with whom they live and work. There is no doubt that the SCLC made a strong impression in Selma. Few were unmoved by what occurred there a year ago. Organizing volunteers from all over the U.S., the march alerted the nation's atten tion to the necessity of insuring every citizen's right to vote. Is the problem of restricting voting rights comparable to the sup posedly faulty welfare program in Chicago? Will Chicago residents pay the same price as Selma residents did for an obviously lesser cause? Federal action was necessary in Selma, but if it is prompted in Chicago will it even be plausible or practical? According to Eric Kindbergh, SCLC worker, in a Skyscraper inter view, the SCLC plans to climax their program in June with a massive demonstration to achieve the reforms they are seeking. Close Novak Spans Semantic Chasm Searching for New Philosophy Belief and Unbelief; Micliael Novak; MacMillan, 1965. The question of semantics, the search for an adequate vocabulary to discuss the existence of God, has been a pivotal point of theological- philosophical research for the last two decades. Because of this lack of a sufficient universe of dis course the traditional split be tween the believer and non-believer has widened into an almost un bridgeable chasm leaving the for mer resting on his metaphysical couch and the latter leaning se- cft They hope to literally close the Loop surrounding it with picket lines, cars, trucks. They will even at- i tempt to immobilize public transportation. For certain, LOOp if this demonstration is allowed, the SCLC will succeed in restricting the million or more Chicagoans who work in the Loop from their right of commuting to their jobs and traveling freely about their own city. Yet the SCLC maintains that their program is based on charity and love and working together for the benefit of every individual. This gross, dangerous intrusion upon the rights of others is no demonstration of charity or love or an attempt to benefit every individual. In any mass demonstration such as the SCLC is planning, there is a risk of violence. There are always accusations of brutality and similar misunderstandings that fester the protests into the devastating riots . such as Watts and Harlem have seen. Founder and leader of SCLC, C-leOH-Up Martin Luther King, Jr., said last August in Miami, I deplore the violence. It is absolutely wrong and socially de testable and self-defeating. On the other liand, I equally deplore the ghetto life that millions of Negroes live in. Committee? by Sister Mary Kevin, C.S.S.F. curely on scientific certitude. It is this chasm of language which Michael Novak attempts to span in his book Belief and Un belief by working out an empirical and intellectual approach to be lief which avoids both such ex istential terminology as 1-thou and encounter as well as the purely categorical terms of the schoolmen which discount the subjective ele ment of cognitive experience nec essary for a rational acceptance or rejection of God. A new philoso phy, Novak feels, is essential for believers who wish to enter dia logue satisfactorily with the con temporary non-believing world. Because of the present aliena tion of the believer from the non- believer, Novak begins his study by discussing the problems, doubts, questions and difficulties which both share. The self-imposed dark ness of the aetheist is similar to and as intense as the darkness of the believer who stands before a God consistently silent and whose ways are so foreign to man's that they seem next to meaningless. Both the honest acceptor and the honest rejector realize the ne cessity of working, of doing one's best without being able to alter the consequences or set the limits to one's fate. The chief difference between them, as Novak sees it, rests primarily on the decision of the believer to live between two worlds, not as one in doubt, but as one to whom the usual resources of comfort on both sides have been closed, while the unbeliever Violence The SCLC hopes to begin relieving the ghetto conditions in Chicago by working on the welfare program. Once they p* I have begun their efforts, will they be able to draw KISK the line at their non-violent, educational methods? Or will they, in carrying out their June demonstra tion, engender a similar condition as was exhibited in Watts and Har lem? That is, will the situation become as uncontrollable; and will their followers forget that violence is deplorable and that charity and love is their motivation? Struggle for Nominees Accompanies Elections Every spring there is the same struggle, the struggle to find capable individuals willing to accept the responsibility of MSC and class offices. It is not a question of insufficient ability. The leadership potential is present, though noticeably latent in the Mundelein community. The percentage of students with outstanding records in high school leader ship gives ample testimony to this fact. More impressive is the record of many of the past and current officers and campus leaders. But, it is still a struggle to get the names of these individuals on Y i, 'ne ballot. The behind-the-scenes scouring, I nrCQlCnS cajoling and discussing which preceeds an / gt; . election, and the often unopposed candidates wOVernmenT js a recurrent threat to the student govern ment and the student body. As was indicated by the earlier resignation of three MSC officers and the current resignation of others due to graduation, insufficient com prehension and acceptance of the responsibilities of an office is an acute problem. The catch-all excuse of apathy does not even partially account for this leader inertia. False modesty is not a likely explanation. And, while selfishness is certainly present, no one attitude is completely ac countable. . a Nevertheless, the need for competent and dedicated in- LOCK dividuals remains. Moreover, this need Will probably be X/ *-* partially unmet at the time of elections. But, since less OTC5 than half the students won't even bother to vote, perhaps it doesn't really matter. Perhaps, as was accused in last issue's Sounding Board, this is another coercive editorial, intimidating the student's right to individual thought and development. Perhaps student leadership is turning its efforts to service projects, civil rights groups and other such individual organizations. Perhaps student government is no longer needed. Perhaps. Sounding Board What's all this talk about Civil Rights? Simply, it is not enough. Comments about this is sue range from I'm fed up with it, to The Civil Rights movement has been moved towards its peak by this generation and it's going to keep moving. The point is: Where, in what direction is it go ing to keep moving if people are tired of talking about it? The present age is one of con tradiction: escalation of the war effort is countered by an increas ing non-violence movement; hard ening hatred and prejudice is fac ing an enlarged number of persons devoted to the brotherhood of man. Along with what seems an explo sion of evil in modern times is seen an evolution of the forces of free dom, strength and love. The di chotomy of human nature has never been more dramatic. Whether the future of man is meaningless absurdity or universal brotherhood depends on the outcome of the present straggle. Talk is necessary to enkindle the extravagant hopes that will create a new earth. But unless discussion leads to action, it will be sterile, and there is good rea son for tiring of it. An organiza tion like CSM is the newest of many attempts to take concrete action this one geared basically to students' cramped schedules and varied interests. Response is an alternative to boredom. There is hardly an excuse for standing aloof from this struggle. How is it that students of Catholic campuses, being not only human but Christian, have been conspicu ously absent from the scene? In difference, inconvenience, even ig norance afford no alibi: the effort is for the meaning of humanity and failure to take a side would be to abdicate the freedom by which man is fashioning his destiny. This year will chisel the shape of man kind. Therefore, we hereby take our stand for freedom, justice and per- sonhood all those words that many people today denounce as trite and shallow. Instead of ac knowledging the emptiness of these words, we determine to deepen their meaning and make them a living reality. We wish as indi vidual Christian students to work with other students on construc tive projects, so that the force of our unity may influence events in such a way that history will be foi-med by our freedom to respond to present needs. This is a time for each of us to re-evaluate our place in this- here-mess. We wish to be in the avant-garde of social change, here (i.e. Mundelein) and now (i.e. to day) . Mary Barmes Kathleen Harrington Pat Dillon Cathy Daly and 45 others chooses secular. to attend solely to the To reach some form of mutual agreement and make serious con versation about the divine possible the believer must abandon the tra ditional conception of a middle class God which offends present- day intellectuals. Faith, Novak insists, has to be founded on a new concept of human reality and self- knowledge which the author terms intelligent subjectivity. Once a person can see himself as an alert subject, Novak con tinues, he can proceed to under stand the drive to understand which is the basis of belief. Stated simply, Novak's contention is what we mean by understanding deter mines what we mean by man, and what we mean by man determines what we mean by God. The drive to understand is that unstructured, unlimited urge to discover why which is innate in man, and will never be satisfied as long as there is a question unan swered. This drive is the source of man's restlessness, the power urging him to action. It is the desire for an objective explanation for life based on reality. As Novak defines it, the real is that which is perceived as intel ligible. The real is not known by seeing, touching or hearing, but by understanding and verifying; the real is that which is true to man's experience. Translating the argument for the existence of God into an effec tive humanism which will be un derstood by contemporary society, Novak feels, demands a rejection of medieval conservatism which has characterized the Christian of the past. The religious man must be both secular and religious. His religion, based on the drive to un derstand, cannot be resigned to accept the world as it is nor can it compromise man's intelligence or honesty. A religion which de mands surrender of critical judg ment is one which worships false gods. The true believer as Novak sees him is one who looks around, ob serves, inquires, critically reflects and continues to trust without con solation or feeling, who believes with naked faith and finds this be lief difficult. Without seeing God the believer says yes to under standing, creativity and love. Michael Novak perceives belief or unbelief as the radical decision of life, grounded on fidelity to awareness and understanding. Despite its unanswered ques tions the book is unusually stimu lating and satisfying. For anyone who has ever sincerely asked him self Who am I? and Who is God if there be a God? this book is the first step toward under standing. DL Si a 5c rat lt;er Vol. XXXVI April 6, 1966 No. 12 Newspaper of Distinction The Skyscraper is published semi-monthly, October to June inclusive except during exam and vacation periods, by the students of Mundelein College. 6363 Sheridan Rd., Chicago. 111.. 60626. Subscription rate is 12 per year. Entered as second-class matter Nov. 30. 1932. at the U.S. Post Office. Chicago. III., under the act of March 3. 1897. The Skyscraper is a member of the Catholic School Press Association. Letters to the editor must be signed. The Skyscraper reserves the right to cut letters in ense of limited space. Co-Editors Jean Durall, Diane Sargol Photographers - Margy Rediger, Nancy Vandenberg Cartoonist .. Mary Fran Campbell Staff Caryl Jean Cinclli, Pat Csapar, Patti Devine, Brenda Dinneen, Margie Field, Vickl Germann. Marilyn Gibbs, Joyce Griffin. Jennifer Joyce. Ann Katt, S.M. Kevin. C.S.S.F.. Lynn McKeever, Mary McMorrow, Mariellen O'Brien, Ceol Reechke, Kathy Riley, Patricia Toussalnt, Mary beth Wagner, Judy Wardwell
title:
1966-04-06 (2)
publisher:
Women and Leadership Archives http://www.luc.edu/wla
creator:
Mundelein College
description:
Student newspaper for Mundelein College
subject:
Newspapers
subject:
Religious communities--Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
subject:
Students
subject:
Universities and colleges
subject:
Women's education
relation:
Mundelein College Records
type:
Text
language:
English
rights:
This image is issued by the Women and Leadership Archives. Use of the image requires written permission from the Director of the Women and Leadership Archives. It may not be sold or redistributed, copied or distributed as a photograph, electronic file, or any other media. The image should not be significantly altered through conventional or electronic means. Images altered beyond standard cropping and resizing require further negotiation with the Director. The user is responsible for all issues of copyright. Please Credit: Women and Leadership Archives, Loyola University Chicago. wlarchives@luc.edu
coverage:
Chicago, Illinois
coverage:
Mundelein College