Maroon

              THE MAROON Loyola University Neiv Orleans VOL. 81, NO. 18 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2003 "For a greater Loyola" Renfroe: classism is new racism By Peyton Burgess Staff writer Discussion part of BSU events during black history month Before 1950, Rampart Street was a collage of successful, black-owned and operated businesses that catered to the African-Americans living in the neighborhood. In the mid-19505, the integration movement allowed blacks to patronize stores like Maison Blanche and Sears. Since then black-owned businesses have suffered from the loss of their neighborhood patrons. On Wednesday, a discussion panel, sponsored by the Black Student Union, met in Nunemaker Hall to ask what accomplishments were made since the Civil Rights Movement and what still needs to be done. The forum was held in conjunction with other black history month events. "We hit the streets for equality," remarked local activist. Mama D, "not for integration. There are no more neon signs reading 'no niggers."* But after African-Americans won the right to go where the signs had once hung, other obstacles came into existence. "I see the signs on certain jobs," responded Jason Smith visual arts junior and BSU president. He also said America does not offer blacks as many opportunities to operate the businesses that they can now patronize. Their limitation as patrons to white-operated businesses enlarges the socio-economic gap and victimizes the once flourishing black businesses, he said. "There were tailor shops all along Broad Street. After integration, my mother and my aunt went to department stores. They didn't go to their neighborhood stores anymore. And we lost that," lona Renfroe, local criminal defense attorney and Loyola graduate, said. Others at the forum said blacks must now overcome the economic barriers such as money and who has it becomes increasingly more significant than race in America. "That is why we're at Loyola," said Smith, "so that we can compete." "It's about class. It's about rich and poor," said Renfroe. "If you have enough money it doesn't matter what color you are. "But none of us should have to assimilate or change ourselves in order to be accepted by anybody else." The black middle and upper class STAFF PHOTO BY ANN HERMES Melissa Simpson, communications freshman, dances at a Black Student Union event last Wed. celebrating black culture. The event, held in Rousell Auditorium, was just one of several activites sponsored by the BSU during Black History month. SHOWING YOUR SPIRIT STAFF PHOTO BY GILLIAN DICKER Communications freshman Lawson Box runs back into the elevator in the Danna Center lounge after participating in the "What would you do for 100 dollars" contest during homecoming week. Harris named Provost By lan Morrison Staff writer The search for a new provost is over. On Tuesday, the Rev. Bernard Knoth S.J., university president, announced to faculty and staff members that Walter Harris, Jr., University of North Carolina Senior Executive Fellow, will become provost and academic vice president. He will relocate to New Orleans this summer and take over Lydia Voigt's position, interim provost and academicvice president. Voigt also ran for the provost position. Faculty and student reaction on the naming of Harris is mixed. "My strong impression is that the faculty (and staff) are very disappointed, if not outraged, that Lydia Voigt was not selected to be provost, considering she was the consensual choice of the overwhelming number of people 1 heard and talked to in our provost search meetings," Anthony Ladd, associate professor of sociology, said. Mary Blue, associate professor of communications, saw the decision to pick the provost as the president's alone. Sex offenders surround Loyola By Earl Descant Assistant News Editor Not all of the convicted offenders are registered More than 50 sex offenders now live in the neighborhoods surrounding Loyola and Tulane Universities. Since Louisiana law requires that anyone convicted of a sex offense crime must register with the state police, the names and addresses of convicted sex offenders are part of a statewide police data base available on the Internet at www.lasocpr.lsp.org/socpr. However, the offender does not have to register if the judge waives the requirement according to NOPD police Lt. Paul Accardo. Also available on the data base are photographs of the convicted sex offenders and the crimes that brought about their convictions. According to Irma S. Parker, a judge in Maryland, the reason for the registration process is "not to stigmatize or shame sex offenders. Rather, the registration provisions are tailored to protect the public, requiring registrants to supply basic information to apprise law enforcement officials about an offender residing or working in an area." Some Loyola students said the registration requirement is a good idea but some doubted the law's ability to improve safety. Carly St. Romain, freshman English writing major, said "Registration was fine, but they (sex offenders) are still going to be out there. What can you really do?" Althia Picciola, sociology freshman, said that the university should do more in the way of educating people about the dangers of the city. "I know girls who have walked alone through the French Quarter to St. Charles Avenue," she said. "That isn't safe." Picciola also said that the university should make devices such as mace sprays available on campus. Both women agreed that though registration allows people and especially parents to know who is in the neighborhood, and that people have a right to know this. "But sex offenders have rights too," said Picciola. Patty Richards, English junior, recalled an incident about a year ago that occurred on Freret Street in which two women were robbed and sexually assaulted. Richards said that this incident occurred near her home. "Yeah, I think it (registration) is a good idea," she said. Acknowledging the controversy surrounding the registration issue, Audry Herbert, mathematics junior, said, "I don't find it (registration) inappropriate. I think it's within line, considering the conviction." Mathew Smith, sophomore mathematics major, also believes that the registration process is less than perfect. "It's a good idea, but poorly executed," he said. It forces [sex offenders] to go door to door to humiliate themselves in front of all of their future neighbors." WDSU-TV Channel 6 recently aired a story about this same issue. The story aired on the 10 o'clock news on Wed., Feb. 19. See FORUM, Page 3 See PROVOST, Page 3 the country get together forward shows his softer side life and times, pg. 10 '3. SPORTS, pg. 5 The Maroon will not appear next week due to the Mardi Gras holidays. Publication will resume March 14