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_ 2 The Polemic Editorial Is o/afentine's <Dq,y a Jennifer Webb News Editor It seems to have become a tradition that every February 14th is a nati?nal day of romance. But where did this day originate, and why is it so widely recognized? So it appears everyone tries to cash in on this dayof'Love'. Everyone from small town mom and pop businesses to nation- ally recognized corporations. What exactly is the appeal of a day that originally came from a Saint named Valentine? Who is this mysterious saint, and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history ofValentine's Day, and its patron saint, is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been a month ofromance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains relics ofboth Christian and an- cient Roman tradition. Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three differ- ent saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were TINA WILLIAMS Features Editor I was embarrassed to say I was an ACC student on January 15, 2001. It was Martin Luther King Day and the college I am usually proud of attending did not acknowledge the FEDERAL holiday. There is no legitimate reason for skipping over the commemoration of a national ,~ ,...._..;::;, ·- ............ ,....._,-1~ ,..._,F' ,-,. - :5..... ::,,,._\~> -... ............ -,_,_ _. .....,._._.,... _,,__/ V,,._,-,,_,_- ·.._,.· ........ .....,-...,--. .._r - · ..,,... ._,...-_ ---- = .. _ ........... _...,. _..,_ ...... ,_ - .-- ·::: ..... ::c..-,_.._ ... ~..:-----: ,_:-,,,,,,_.., -.,,._:- ........ - -- -- __ ...,...,.._,~:-:;: ·"' -,... ....., ...... ,.., -----.. · . - ~ - - .J' ✓ ....,....-_ --- ._, ...... - ~::: Cegitimate liofiday? martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young, single men - his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the de- cree, defied Claudius and con- tinued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were dis- covered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. According another legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'Valentine' greeting. While in prison, it is believed that Val- entine fell in love with a young girl, who may have been his jailer's daughter. She·visitedhim during his confinement, before his death. It is alleged that he ~ote her a letter, which he signed 'from your Valentine,' an expression that still is used today. Although the truth be- hind the Valentine legend is murky, the stories emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, he- roic, and romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints m England and France. The question now seems to be not why do we celebrate this holiday, but has it become too commercialized? In Great Brit- ain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth and eighteenth century; it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small to- kens of affection or handwrit- ten notes. By the end of the cen- tury, printed cards began to re- place written letters due to im- provements in printing technol- ogy. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to ex- press their emotions in a time when direct manifestation of one's feelings were discour- aged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to the ease of communicating one's feelings. Today, direct expression is no longer discouraged by society; in fact, it is quite the opposite. It is becoming more accept- able. People have gone so far . as to 9profess their love on na- tional television Just look at all the "talk shows" or contests the media encourages. People are competing to get that 30-sec- ond spot or longer to express their devotions or opinions, and essay contests to declare their undying love. Has this holiday lost its mean- ing, or has it naturally evolved with the times? As a big sup- porter of Valentines Day and profession of love pu9licly, I believe that there is nothing wrong with the wide spread commercialization ofValentine~ How could we forget a King? hero. The American people decided Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. made an important enough impact on their country to be honored every January. Who is ACC to devalue that? King was an internationally known Nobel prizewinning advocate of nonviolence for social change. His eloquent speeches rallied thousands of people together to improve civil rights in America. His mo st famous speech, the March on Washington Address, reached millions as they viewed its delivery on live TV. "I have a dream . . . " they were words that shook the nation. His commitment to better society led Congress to adopt the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The bill ended segregation in public places and outlawed discrimination in employment by - --- .......... _......, - ..... .;.; ;-- ... ~ .... ,. ...,, ►· " ....... ~ .. ,...,_ ,-.. ..... ~ ........... ,.,,,.... ' :. - . I! ~ ,,. .-; - ,., _____ ;,.. <T-- ,..,.. ,,_,· ...,, ._/-_,..,.; --- ,,_,.. ~ - --,,..._......-::.,...,, ....... r., -. -..-y-,..,-...,.,-,,..._ r~,,..,.,...,,.,._ .... V - J::_ Jo' _, :) '-1':_ '-'~~ :. ~.,_.-. J • ,_ --.-..:;:: -'r"".a.~-_, ;:, ....... .-;;.--'-. -- __ _.a.;:i--:,. - ~ --,r t, ....,...<T - .... ------ _,;....., - ....,...=--- _.,,_- ~ .g. ..... ;:,:. .-·~:. ~;:, 'l~ -- - ~_,._-- ....,..._. ..,, ,.. race, color, sex, religion or national origin King didn't stop after the bill was passed. Before his assassination, he began a "Poor People's Carnpaign"to deal with economic problems and he spoke out against American involvement in the Vietnam War. After his untimely death, it was the memory of his .endless dedication that prompted a new national holiday-Martin Luther ·King Day. You can't mail a letter. You can't stop at the bank. But you must attend classes at ACC, as we did on January 15th. I understand Alpena's population may not be as diverse as Detroit, but what kind of message is ACC sending to students and the com- munity by holding school on MLKDay? The act tells me "we" don't care about equality, culture, or history. "We" would rather ........ - ........ ::-::---:, ,_., ... ,..Q.. ..... .,. ~--- """-._.g.,... .... _ ........ :;:_ ~ - ,,r ~ ~,,r ....... =- ..,,...._--,,,:y--.._ ....... ,.,....._ ,,,...,,-.::.-~- ';:, -.,,.. ...... Day. Because of this, we have more options available for communicating our feelings. Valentines Day has not only become a day oflove expres- sion, but a day just to say "your · special". We have everything from homemade valentine cards to little stuffed characters that sing and dance. Hallmark, one nationally recognized corpora- tion, has every kind of card imaginable. Everything from "I love you from the depths of my soul," to "It's Valentines Day, take your clothes ofl:1" And I know you've all seen the nu- merous teddy bears, candy hearts, and flower arrange- ments that can express any emotion you may think of. We can all remember mak- ing bags to collect the valentines you got at your parties in 3rd and 4th grade, and getting the class list so you wouldn't forget any- one. I remember making cup- cakes with my mom the night before Valentine's Day, and quietly slipping the candy hearts with "I Love You", printed on them to my crush. Just what can we get from allofthis?Love issimplysome- thing to be celebrated. So this Valentines Day, take advantage of the opportunity to let that special someone know how you feel about him or her. Did You Know ? • February is :Natioral Black History Month celebrate the first day of deer season ( which we had oft) than the legacy ofa man who dedi- cated himself to civil rights and nonviolence inAmerica. King's work has affected every American's life, even the student's and staff of ACC. I have a dream ... one day ACC will recognize the sig- nificance ofMartin Luther King Day and will celebrate diversity and the fight for peace in America! - ........ ~ .,...'-'_.,...f~7 ~ ~::i::-: r"- s:-;::::, = ~ ~· -~ --...:::1__._................ ........... \.~· vvV_._ ~ ..... ... I"'$,~ .-... ~ ......... '...,..\..,-- .......... ::.;: ~- ~,,,. .,.___// ....,.. ............ .._ ...... ,,..,.,,..,,,... .,__·-..::,,,_.,~~._,...J-.J' f ebruary 2001 HE POLEMIC EDITORS Managing Editor: Jocelyn Haske News Editor: Jennifer Webb Feature Editor: Tina Williams Sports Editor: Tristram Coffin Photo Editor: Megan Fletcher STAFF WRITERS Sarah Ashford Cheryl Behnke Eric Benac Joshua Brege Jennifer Cordes Melissa Cramer Erin Fleming Marc Gauze Angela Kirschner Leslie Klann Roxanne Lafleche Joann Landry Kerrie Miller Laura Moore Amy Navarra Stephanie Nehring Christopher Oposno Heather Pines Micheal Purgiel RyanRuby Robin Sauve Judith Skrine Roxane Snyder Ryan Spaulding Lance Spencer John Staniski Shawna Thompson Alicia Wells Wendy Williams ADVISOR Shawn Sexton The Polemic is published on the first Tuesday of October, November, Decem- ber, February, March, April and May. As an independent student publication, opinions expressed are strictly those of the writer and not endorsed by Alpena Community College or the entire Polemic staff. Signed contributions can br dropped off at the Polemic Office, BCT 106 or call us at 517-356-9021 ext. 264. Mail correspondence to: The Polemic, Alpena Community College, 666 Johnson Street, Alpena, Mi. 49707. Contact us via e-mail: polemic8@netscape.net .. , w \fl .. I t- , Cl , ....... I( rl 1"-tf \ r 1J,JU ,...,.... ,.1 1-,111 1 0 I . l ..... J HJIJ rrv, ' -ll lJ ..., I\,. The Polemic greatly appreciates input. ~·~ If you have an opinion about any stu- dent related topic, please .submit them to us in editorial form. - ...-- ..... _ .... --.-n.--. ..... , . ...-_p.-..,...,,,,.. ~ ... .., -- ......_ -,.. .,.. ·-., - - ,,r :::. - . ...,...,,.._..,, - ....... ~ -------!, ~--- ·- ....,.._ ........ ,::._- ,-.,-.... .,g.,,... ___ ...... t"" . ... ·"'. <'9 • - - I ,,r ""i" . ...,..._ -....,.-~ .,_, ....... ~---,,_,..=- - ......... ~ ...... _...,.. ""' >-., ... -.,:-,. ... ,.. T ,, . "'2.--::..,.. ;- ... "'-~ - .,.._ .... _ ..... __ ;.,.. ..,,_- -...,. ,,,__ ~ ·-- ..,, -- ........ .... I"'--,"-:_;; ~- ,.., .... ,: T~ ... ~ .-.,.'2_::-, ~..,. ,._. ---~..,,.::} .,;_-. ·,._,.. .......... __ ,,..., ...... ...,..~ - . - !, ............. ___ ..,,....., I • I I ' -' l I If I '\IVII I p,-'I I I _..,