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Volume 41, Issue 4
October 14, 2003
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October
14, 2003
Smokers segregated
Daniel
Raven
Legend Staff
Student smokers on the MCC campus are segregated second-class
citizens, with rights and facilities unequal to that of their nonsmoking
peers.
As a smoker drifting aimlessly through school grounds between classes,
I find it impossible to avoid mental comparisons which I see with the
ignorant mid-century segregation of African Americans in this country.
Every sign which says “Designated Smoking Area” reminds me
of a water fountain set aside for use by African Americans 50 years ago.
Each adorably cute, politically correct little logo of a crossed out cigarette
conjures the image of some sloppily-scrawled fascist warning, bellowing
out “Whites Only.”
It seems impossible to know the definition of segregation and to be simultaneously
blind to the fact that it is an affliction shared by both minority races
of the past and by minority classes of the present.
Realizing that this modern brand of segregation occurs as a result of
health concerns, the discrimination perpetrated against smokers could
be accepted if only it utilized some equality.
What I perceived as inequality, led me to Ronald Etter.
When I entered the office of MCC’s friendly and accommodating Dean
of Administrative Services, I had hoped to come away from exposure to
his insight with some newfound faith in my school and the society whose
views it reflects.
Sadly, I am blisteringly naive to seek faith, and I extracted merely disgust
from Etter’s answers to my questions regarding the contrast between
the conditions of smoking and nonsmoking areas on campus.
When asked why the only area on campus which contains an awning and a
mist spraying apparatus to keep students cool during the hot months is
plastered with “no smoking” signs, and designated as an official
nonsmoking area, Etter said it was designated as such because the city
of Mesa prohibits smoking in covered areas which nonsmokers must share.
When a designated smoking section with an awning was proposed, Etter said,
“That is something I suppose we could do, but where do you put it?”
Such a comment gives the appearance that the Dean of Administrative Services
had never considered the wants or needs of smoking students.
“Everything is about money,” Etter said, and reminded me that
a covered area for student smokers would have to go through student government.
Etter did predict that the money which would have gone toward a covered
smoking section will probably be tied up in the purchase of furniture.
My experience led me to believe that MCC seems more interested in courting
new and potential students than fairly accommodating the students that
are already enrolled.
The discrimination seemed even more apparent when Etter defended the lack
of mist apparatus inside a smoking section by compassionately informing
me that mister systems lead to the West Nile virus because of the puddles
of stagnant water they potentially create.
I find it sickening that I am segregated for the sake of somebody else’s
health, and that I am then treated unfairly for the sake of my own.
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