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Volume 41, Issue 5
October 28, 2003
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October
28, 2003
Letter to the Editor
Racial segregation? Hardly.
Smokers have it pretty tough.
The Mesa Legend’s most recent opinion piece, “Smokers Segregated,”
by Daniel Raven, really made me feel sorry for the tired, inconvenienced
masses that smoke at MCC.
Since then, every time I’ve walked past those designated smoking
areas, holding my breath, I’ve thought, “I wish there was
a leader, someone who could fight for the equal rights of smokers.”
Possibly a Phillip Morris King, Jr., if you will.
Because yes, the article was right – designated smoking areas and
no-smoking signs are exactly like racial segregation of the ‘50s
and ‘60s.
Forget the fact that men and women have no choice of the color of their
skin, or the country and time period they were born into, yet you have
the choice to buy that pack of Marlboros or American Spirits.
Forget the fact that smokers can vote, can attend any school they want,
can even sit under that nice little cool canopy whenever they want, as
long as they aren’t smoking at the moment.
Forget the fact that this is nothing at all like racial segregation.
But yeah, other than that, this is exactly like racial segregation.
Rules that prohibit smoking under the MCC canopies are not an issue of
discrimination. They’re an issue of public health. The city of Mesa
and MCC have made what they feel is the best, healthiest decision for
students and have provided alternatives for those who don’t like
it.
Smokers are indeed accommodated. Special areas have even been set aside
just for MCC students who want to take a drag.
I would enjoy the exclusivity. Hundreds of students, I’m sure, walk
past the designated smoking areas daily, holding their breath, and wondering
why no one has designated an area just for them. I know I wonder. A designated
writing area sure would be nice.
The problem still remains. Some people want to smoke, and some people
want to stay away from it. MCC needs a solution.
The solution for this oh-so-personal problem? My gift to the smokers of
MCC? Smoke breaks.
It’s not even my own invention; I ripped it off from the dozens
of smokers I see everywhere, stepping outside to take a break and smoke.
So please, use my gift. Take five minutes, endure the heat, have your
fix, and get back to the shade of MCC’s only misted, no-smoking
canopy. Smokers are happy. Nonsmokers are happy. Faculty members who don’t
have to hear the ridiculous “discrimination” complaints are
very happy. And all of us get to share that controversial shade.
Nick Martin
MCC Student
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