UBC Reports | Vol. 48 | No. 11 | Sep. 5 , 2002

Letters

Editor's note: In the last issue of UBC Reports we ran a Time Piece photo asking whether anyone knew what happened to the UBC bowling alley.

Dear Editor:

The Bowling Alley was relocated from the War Memorial Gym to the SUB.

At the time the building opened (in 1968 I think) the Bowling Alley was located in the east side of the lower floor. I think it was removed sometime in the 70's due to a decline in the popularity of bowling and the pressure for space in SUB. I believe the pin setting machines and the lanes were subsequently sold.

Byron Hender, Executive Coordinator (retired), VP Students

Dear Editors:

The reaction of Nancy M. Forhan (August 1) to the article "Our Favourite Spots" (July 4) is sadly typical. Such sexist stereotypes of men, especially white men, are now extremely common and widely tolerated. Forhan's claim to be "overly sensitive" is especially interesting, seeing as Forhan seems not to have read the article, which writes not of four middle-aged, caucasian males, as Forhan claims, but of eight persons, two of which we may assume (but not take for granted) are women, and all of which are wholly human. How are we to presume which ethnic group persons in photos belong to, or even what exact age or sex they are?

If one must cynically analyze the text, it is possible that the article writer, or UBC Reports editors, are guilty of political incorrect demographics. However, the only direct proof we have of callous racism, sexism, and ageism is from Forhan's hand. Such snap political judgements are the rule in today's academia, and I applaud the rare independence of mind and courage of women and men who, by standing up indiscriminately for all persons, struggle to avoid such hypocritical traps in the face of overwhelming societal pressure to submit to its current dogma, and in the charge of violating the very justice they defend that is sure to follow.

Clearly equal ascription of human dignity to all persons of any outward appearance, until someone proves herself or himself undeserving on an individual basis, still has a long way to go. I welcome any opportunity to discuss the issue further with Nancy N. Forhan.

Allen Haaheim, UBC student