Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The Stony Brook Press - Volume 6, Issue 25
The Stony Brook Press - Volume 6, Issue 25
The Stony Brook Press - Volume 6, Issue 25
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Stop-21 Rally
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- The Fourth Estate: Editorial
Press
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Executive Editor........... Joseph Caponi
OF LAW
A I Managing Director ..........
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Senior Photo Editor..... John Tymczyszyn
News Editor ................ Ron Ostertag
~4 Photo Editor................ Scott Richter
Assistant Editor........... Haluk Soykan
Arts Editor ................. Paul Condzal
Business Manager.......... Pamela Scheer
Phone: 246-6832
Office:
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Stony Brook, New York 11794-2790
page 2 The Stony Brook• ress
No Business As Usual
Students Take SUNY Business Office As Trustees
Vote on Divestment
by Ron Ostertag The media was forced to go the rear Sullivan Principles. The resolution also darned thing." Board of Trustees Chairman
The SUNY Board of Trustees voted last window of the office, taking photographs stands by the Committee statement "that Donald Blinken also questioned "what are
week to maintain most of SUNYs invest- and radio interviews through the windows. issues-presented by South African policies the students really ready to do? Are they
ments in corporations dealing in South Finally, one, and then two guards were of racial segregation extend far beyond the ready to stop riding in GM cars? Are they
Africa, while almost 100 students protested posted outside of the window, cutting off boundaries of University Action and there- ready to stop drinking Coca Cola?" This
and 28 were arrested after an eleven hour any potential for food or more students fore urges that strong and decisive debate took place at Tuesday, April 23rd's
sit in at SUNY Central Administration in entering. A crowd of about 30 students in a measures at the level of national govern- Budget and Investment Committee meet-
Albany. human chain, however, were able to push ment be undertaken in order to achieve ing, attended by most of the Trustees,
The trustees voted last Wednesday, about five more students through the meaningful reform." whether they were members of the com-
April 24, to maitain investments in corpora- windows, past the guards. Most of the Trustees felt that, in the mittee or not. Trustee John Holloman, who
tions which abide by the expanded version Before the Board voted on the expanded words of Budget and Investment is not a committee member, argued "I am
of the so-called Sullivan principles. The Sullivan Principles, Wray read a statement Committee Chairman Arnold Gardner, trying to give some moral leadership to our
Trustees voted in 1979 to invest in corpora- calling for divestment, in which she con- "This (divestment) isn't going to change a students and our country." He also claimed
tions involved in South Africa only when "I think that we should say that we will
those companies had agreed to follow the invest in companies doing business in
South Africa only when apartheid has
corporate code although "...they never
followed through and investigated" accord-
ing to Sue Wray, President of Student
00OHW
DJL~ 0 IIk11JTI•IE
ended." holloman was unable to attend the
next day's Trustees meeting, where the
opposing resolution passed unanimously
Asscocation of State University (SASU).
The Trustees Investment Committee, in a after Wray walked out.
report admits "...while the basic thrust of
the 1979 statement is still germane, the At about 8:00pm the day of the Trustees
University's position in investin in com- meeting. SUNY Public Safety officers,
panies doing business in South Africa must backups of which had been called in from
be strengthened and its efforts in monitor- SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Purchase, and
ing compliance doubled." SUNY Utica/Rome arrested and carried
The Sullivan Principles are a corporate the protesters out to Albany Police Paddy-
code of six employment practices which wagons, to the live reditions of "We Shall
SOvercome." An officer from Utica/Rome.
U.S. corporations doing business in South
badge number 8 seemed particularly
Africa may choose to adhere to. They were
hostile to the demostrators probably be-
drawn up in 1978 by Leon Sullivan a
cause of his long ride to Albany, and
member of the Board of Directors of
according to one protestor his arm was
General Motors. The recently expanded
violently twisted causing him enough injury
principles, which were accepted by the
to miss his Cello final exam. That student
SUNY Trustees as further guidlines in-
pleaded guilty in a plea bargain the next
clude the following four new requirments:
morning in court, from a class D Misde-
1) Use influence and support the un-
meaner crime to a Violation (not a crime)
restricted rights of black business to locate
and a one hundred dollar fine or 15 days in
in urban areas of the nation.
jail. The student opted for the 15 days in
2) Influence other compainies in South
jail, which he will begin to serve Thursday
Africa to follow the standards of equal
May 2. 21 other protesters pleaded "guilty,"
rights principles.
and plan to pay the fine, and six pleaded
3) Support the freedom of mobility of black "not guilty" and will return to Albany court
workers to seek employment opportunities for trial today, Thursday, May 2nd.
whereever they exist, and make possible - .l . - mu. With the expanded Sullivan Principles
provisions for adequate housing for families The SUNY Board of Trustees meets on the top floor of 8 UN Y Central. The
Pubic luturust
The New York Public Interest Research
Group,Inc. (NYPIRG), the state's largest
environmental and consumer organization,
has temporary and permanent openings. To
schedule an interview, call
_~ I I __
No Bones
Cuomo At Student Press Conference
"We're not doing an injustice, we're just investments from corporations dealing in stressed, however, the importance of what
Governor Mario Cuomo's strong stand on
trying to help you," said the Governor. One South Africa, although he stated that the is best for the people ofthe state. and he was
the passage of the 21 year alcohol purchase
student journalist agreed with "21." claim- Sullivan Principles "have helped the black worried about funds which the ('Comproller
age, as well as unsure responses on divest- population in South Africa." He added, predicts that the state would lose. "I would
ing that she would like to see lives saved,
ment and tuition increases in SUNY were however, regarding apartheid, that "we like to be as aggressive as possible.
although she said she would be turning 21
major points of a student press conference don't want to help continue it." Cuomo is whether we could do that without hurting
herself soon. Cuomo agreed, saying"we get
held with him last Monday, April 21. awaiting a task force report from the state's the residents of the state" is another
more and more mail - I'm not saying a
Practicality seemed to be the major force human rights commission on the feasibility question, he said.
majority, from freshmen saying "Thank
behind Cuomo's answer's to questions from
you," for the law. of divestment, which he said will "be getting Cuomo did not forsee a tuition hike or
student journalists, ranging from the back to me before the end of this legislative proposal of one in the next year. "I doubt in
The Gvernor stressed the point that his
practicality of raising the drinking age, to
only reason for 21 is to save lives. He added. session. . . I want to work on this now." an election year that any governor or
the financial practicality of SUNY or New "My own judgement," he stated, "After legislator who is aware of the enormous
"I don't like to see any intrusions on
York State divestment. speaking to Bishop Tutu. .. and before energy and power of the students of the
personal liberty, unless they do more good
The 30 student journalists from across seeing the report, is that I don't think the state would bring it up." He added that, "I
than bad."
the state and from other states did not grill Sullivan Principles go far enough." He
"When I was your age, I would have like my job and my house."
the Governor as much as representatives
from the Student Association of the State
agreed with you... even a few years ago, I
wasn't behind it." (Cuomo claimed that now
University (SASU) did, especially SASUI
Director Eviline it was the only right thing to do. "There's no
Communications
McDougal, who began the question-and-
answer period with a one-on-one with the
political motivation - I don't care about
the federal highway money, that's not my The last issue of The Stony Brook Press
Governor about the 21 issue.
"I don't see it (21) as the answer either."
motivation." (A federal law would go into
effect in a year penalizing states without 21 for this semester will be next Thursday,
replied Cuomo, "I see it as helpful. 21 by
itself isn't enough." While the Governor did
by witholding highway funds. The law is
being challenged by South Dakota and May 9. The deadline for all letters, view-
see 21 as "practical" in this region of the
US. since many states in the area have or are
other states as being unconstitutional.
Cuomo said that he thought that the law was points, and advertisements will be
constitutional "The same way the 55 mile
considering 21, he seemed to suggest that
anything out of sync with the region would
per hour speed limit is constitutional") Monday at 5:00pm.
to The Governor was unsure as to whether it I
prove impractical. or at least difficult
would be feasible to divest State funds and
pass.
May 2, 1985 page 5
- Viewpoint I I, _ ___ _ _ I i L
D)OW[I^™L [IW
propriate and counter-productive to the aim of racial 130 are signatories, can we honestly expect that 'these
justice in South Africa." The committee "strongly recom- corporations will automatically endorse these "new" Sul-
mended" that in future deliberations on investments, con- livan principles and pressure other corporations to do the
sideration be given to the extent to which companies have same?
endorsed or are carrying out the "Sullivan Principles" or Principle 3: Support the freedom of mobility of black
comporable codes of corporate conduct. workers to seek employment opportunities wherever
SUNY has many economic ties to the apartheid system of they exist and make possible adequate housing for
South Africa; this system has been declared by the United families of employees within the proximity of
Nations to be a "crime against humanity." The time has In theory, the Sullivan Principles appear to show an workers' employment: Recent South African history has
come to put an end to this relationship, to divest SUNY of interest in improving lifestyles for blacks in South Africa, exhibited the contrary; increased use and enforcement of
its South African-related investments, and to break all the yet they fail to address the real issues. These six principles pass laws and influx control laws is the Government's
links between SUNY and the regime which enslaves 20 do not challenge the system of apartheid. Instead, they act response. This has created additional unemployment and
million black Africans and over 3 million "colored" and as a set of guidelines for selective institutional reforms in relocation to the bantustans.
Indian peoples. SUNY must contribute to the liberation only one area of society, the workplace. They are based in Principle 4. Support the ending of all apartheid laws:
struggle of this vast majority in South Africa. the apartheid structure and do not demand the abolition of The Sullivan principles only address a token equal rights
As of March 31, 1985, investments by the 'MPP apartheid, but suggest a modernization along similar lines movement in the workplace. Less than one percent of the
Endowment Fund in companies active in South Africa to ensure its perpetuation. workforce employed by U.S. corporations is black U.S.
represented at least $15 million of a total of $84 million in investments have tripled in the last ten years. There has
the account; 19 percent of this fund is in government bonds. been a significant increase in the impoverishment of blacks.
Of the $68 million invested in the private sector, however, The fact that the Sullivan principles are not directed
22.6(; is in 22 or more South African-related enterprises. toward attacking the roots of the Apartheid system is not
surprising. Corporations do not exist to reform society. The
THE SULLIVAN PRINCIPLES role of a corporation in any country is to maximize profits
and historically South Africa has been a very profitable
The "Sullivan Principles" are allegedly "fair" employ- place for U.S. companies to operate. U.S. corporation's
ment principles established for US multinational corpor- position in South Africa are those of guests, a position they
ations in South Africa to lessen political pressure and to do not wish to jeopardize by antagonizing the South African
diffuse criticism from US anti-apartheid groups. Government.
Principle 1. Non-Segregation of the races: This is in- The history of divestment at colleges and university
significant because 78'; of all black workers are employed systems indicates no adverse impact on portfolio perfor-
in job categories which have no white workers. mance. Those educational institutions divesting the largest
Principle 2. Equal and fair employment practices for sums (Michigan State University and the University of
all employees: This principle does not address the fact Wisconsin) realized more profits following divestment.
that although a black may possess credentials far superior Michigan State University divested $7.2 million and
to those of a white, the position will invariably be given to earned an additional $1 million.
the white. University of Wisconsin divested approximately $10
Principle 3: Equal pay for equal work: Eighty four The Sullivan Principles are largely worthless and must million. Their profit ratio on total equity for the "clean"
percent of workers who occupy the lowest job categories are not be supported. They provide a convenient cover which stocks was up 38.8 percent.
black. White workers occupy 98 percent of all highest job US companies can use to shield their continued activities in The UN, Amnesty International, and three leading lib-
categories. This principle signifies lip service. South Africa; they fail to address the issue of the role eration movements in South Africa have called for divest-
Principle 4: Initiation of and development of training corporations play in supporting the racist white minority. ment by universities and all other institutions of their
programs for blacks: American companies pledged to Noble Peace Prize winner Bishop Desmond Tutu, General holdings in South African-related companies. They have
create proghrams that would "advance" blacks into the Secretary of the South African Council of Churches, was called for the complete isolation of South Africa and the
management of their corporations, yet recent studies show quoted: "Foreign investors must not kid themselves, their racist representatives of apartheid, including an "academic
that the percentage increase of blacks into management has investments maintain the apartheid system."
boycott," and the breaking of all professional ties to the
been mere tokenism. Blacks still remain in the lowest system. They have declared these measures a major aspect
paying category jobs. The Expanded Sullivan Principles of the struggle for liberation of the oppressed peoples of
Principle 5: Increasing the number of blacks in super- Azania, or South Africa, and Namibia, or Southwest
visory and management positions: Black supervisors in The expanded Sullivan Principles (recently adopted by Africa.
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PRESENTS
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David Lippman
Activist Singer At Stony Brook
by Lois Geller and that anyone who is serious has a lighter ironies and contradictions of imperialism, other genre.
On Wednesday, April 24th, the Fireside side. His hard hitting music, "is difficult to world capitalism, racism, and exploitation." Earlier in the evening, Lippman had
Lounge crackled with political satire with do, when you're touching someone else's He added that writing politically conscious commented that he distanced himself from
David Lippman and his pro-establishment pain. Political satire... is a service to the music is his way of struggle, and he could the label of "folksinger." "Folksingers,
alter ego, George Schrub, in the second, people - to bring out and to expose the not concieve of being a musician in any firstly, don't like me, in general, because
"Art in Politics" concert sponsored by they don't like my political stuff, despite
HOLA, ISO, and the Red Baloon. The show folk music's long tradition of politics.
was attended by about 100 people, and
included several films about Nicaragua,
Puerto Rico, and El Salvador, in between
On The Schrub Side Secondly, I think folk music in these days of
telecommunications is anachronistic.
Modern people are formed by television
sets of Lippman as Mr. Schrub and Lip- and have very short attention spans, and
pman as his more serious self. by Myra Nibs when that is pitted against history and the
The show was done in two parts. The first George Schrub, director of the CIA (Committee to Intervene Anywhere) shared the 'objective media', folk music as such does
set featured Schrub, the director of the stage with David Lippman on Wednesday, April 24, in a musical debate over Reaganism not capture the general public's interest.
Committee to Intervene Anywhere (CIA), and foreign policy. Mr. Schrub argued for the integrity and honesty of the present Perhaps music videos can, but they, too,
explaining in songs and news flashes the administration, and his arguments provided satiric grist for Lippman's musical mill have little interest in folk music or social
latest in Reagan logic. He explained that the Schrub is not responsible for his arguments, though, as he only repeats the opinions of comment."
reasons for US militarism include that, the White House. David's tour continues with shows in New
"supporting repression will end our depres- I asked Mr. Schrub how he came to be involved with progressive social comedy. He Paltz and Poukepsie, NY, around May day,
sion," and "You can't win a nuclear war if pondered and replied, "I'm not. I do shows with David as a favor to his audiences, and then on to New England and ten days in
you don't fight a nuclear war." As himself, because if I didn't they would become completely confused about the issues he sings Ohio. In addition, he's working on an album,
Lippman sang stories of imperialism, about. For instance, he completely confuses them about Nicaragua - and he even "Straight from the Lipp" which should be
bombings, dishonesty, misguided, inhuman believes there's a war going on down there! David obviously doesn't read the papers, or released this summer. He hopes to
morality, along with honest and light- he'd have a more informed opinion about what's going on." syndicate George Schrub's "News Flash"
hearted dance songs. We drank beer and smoked some cigarettes. Mr. Schrub and I talked about the April radio show, and continues to write columns
Lippman began making music and demonstrations in Washington, D.C., New York City, and San Francisco. What does he for progresive newspapers.
political activism in the mid 1960's. It is think of the internationalistic spirit among many people, as seen in their support for
natural for him to write political satire in his divestment, the blockades all over the country's campuses, and general disruptions?
songs since he says, "Ever since I was a kid
Fve been writing. . . music just makes the
Mr. Schrub replied, "Obviously communist agitators. Just look at their long hair, beads,
and sandals - we should send them into the jungles, teach them some values..." I asked JOIN
Schrub where he had seen a protestor like that. He said he could not remember, but he
poetry work. From the first Beatles song I
could play, I began writing satire... I don't thinks it was in the movies. THE
As the interview ended, I asked Mr. Schrub if he would like to add any comments for
think I could write poetry without music."
He explained that being politically the Press readers. "Yes," he said. "I would like to say how happy I am to be here, and how
happy I am to be everywhere. See y'all at the next limited musical comedy strike!"
PRESS
conscious and active is both fun and painful,
- Album
Cover
Tom Verlai n 's Latest
"programmable" sound I am so naturally
adverse to and combining it with musician-
by Lawrence Daniels ship and musical themes so creative that
As leader of the group "Television", the final product may be quite pleasing. The
Verlaine was one of the most truly inno- singer's vocal nuances during the chorus of
vative guitarists to emerge out of the late "Oh Foolish Heart", for example, reveal an
seventies' "New York school" of New Wave emotional attachment to his music that one
that included such artists as Patti Smith, will never get from The Human League or
Blondie, and the Talking Heads. Perhaps I Madonna.
:an approach this album somewhat objec- On side two, all the cuts seem to blend
tively, not having heard any of Verlaine's together into an "Abbey Road" type con-
three previous solo albums (although, ad- tinuim laced with the distinctive and au-
mittedly, I was for some time addicted to thoritative "other-wordly" sound of
Television's outstanding debut album, Verlaine's guitar work. Highlights include
Marquee Moon). the lyrics to "Miss Emily", whose images
On Cover, the music is airy, light, and full recall the southern, demoralized world of a
of space in stark contrast to the heavier, William Faulkner novel and the incredibly
more condensed sound of Television's early funky "Rotation".
music. The breadth of Verlaine's guitar Perhaps the most interesting aspect of
technique becomes apparent only when one the album is the last cut, "Swim". The
realizes that there are no synthesizers number starts with Verlaine reciting,to
employed on this album. On each of the musical accompanyment, some stream-of-
pieces, the guitar seems to float and inter- consciousness type excerpts from a forth-
mingle amongst the vocals and rythmic in- coming volume of poetry, the words to
strumental background. The album gets off which are also printed on the album jacket.
to a great start with the first three cuts The piece is then transformed into a song
easily the best to this listener's ear. "Five whose archetypical melody could have been
Miles of You" contains a punctuated bar- lifted directly from any one of a number of
rage of guitar runs against a more struc- late-fifties rock& roll hits (in much the same
tured background beat "Travelling" is manner as Led Zeppelin once did with
based on an eerie and recurring guitar "D'yer M'ker").
theme and is followed by "Oh Foolish Not as easily approachable as some of
Heart", whose catchy melody will linger in Verlaine's earlier work with Television,
your head long after the song is over. Cover is, nevertheless, an intriguing col-
Verlain, like Robert Fripp or Brian Eno, lection of music which I, no doubt, will
is one of the few artists capable of taking the frequently return to.