Fee shouldn't go to ASUAF

In response to Henry Cole's op-ed on March 6, I agree some things need more funding. However, student government wastes enough money as is, and I don't see any benefit to having it around.

Of course some of you may be turning blue with frustration. However, I only feel the student government's presence when it comes to getting more money. Besides, I heard a former high-level participant of ASUAF in the Pub not to long ago bragging about how he wastes student money, and how hypocrisy is what he does best.

But I whole-heartedly support the Sun Star, KSUA, and especially the Concert Board. If we are going to raise fees, I should have a say about where that money goes. For example, I think 33 percent for the Concert Board, 33 percent for the Sun Star, 33 percent for KSUA and 1 percent for ASUAF.

Maybe now they could write a grant for their travel expenses and stop wasting our money. Basically since they are student fees, we should have a say about how they are spent, especially if they are going to be increased.

So increase them by $5, $10, or even $20, but if I don't get to decide how that money is allocated, what's the point? Unless this is done, I will vote no on any fee increase.

Scott Hillard
Biology, senior

Payday at UA

I was delighted to read the article "University to Review Executive Compensation" by Nate Raymond in the March 6 issue of the Sun Star.

What can one say? Ah yes, hire a consultant to anoint the preferred practices and pass the wine.

Robert Warner
UAS associate professor (retired)
Ketchikan

Continent of Africa

The continent of Africa continues to be a focal point of media coverage throughout the Western world. Unfortunately, the media's dramatic depictions and journalistic coverage has been decidedly slanted in the most extreme and pejorative manner.

The enlightened cannot help but be disturbed by such a myopic view of a land that is enormously rich in culture, history, science, art and humanity. This reality forces us to ask this question: Why does the media not portray a balanced view of African people and civilization?

There are many whose knowledge of the African diaspora is limited to the outrageous belief that the continent is full of poor, starving, savagely self-destructive people.

Others are under the misconception that only by depicting the very worse can they shock the world into action and therefore help pull Africa and its people out of poverty, war, and underdevelopment.

Both of these beliefs are not only odious but erroneous.

Our endeavor is to help balance the image of this majestic and glorious continent by highlighting the errors that are manifest in the media's one-sided coverage.

A group of UAF students, staff, and community members aligned with members of Arctic Aka Dondo and B.A.S.U. clubs have formed to address a pertinent issue on campus and in today's media. We invite everyone interested to join us every Friday at 3 p.m. in the Wood Center or to contact us at fnesa@uaf.edu or 455–6149.

Jonathan Williams
English/theater, junior

Blood Diamond

"Blood Diamond" is the Academy Award-nominated 2006 film directed and produced by Edward Zwick. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou. The title refers to blood diamonds, which are diamonds mined in war zones and sold to finance the conflicts.

Set in the Sierra Leone civil war, the film portrays a country torn apart by a struggle between sides equally vicious and heedless of the suffering of innocent noncombatants.

The movie opens with scene of actor Hounsou's character, Solomon Vandy, walking his son home from school to find out that his village has suddenly come under attack by the Revolutionary United Front.

The rebels enter the village and the first person that jumps out of the vehicle of the wild rebels is an African child with AK-47, with a demonic smile on his face as he opened fire on a crowd of innocent bystanders.

It was very disturbing considering how graphic the scenes were of rebels attacking the village, killing the women, and capturing the men and the little boys.

Alexis Bowman
Political science, junior