UNM students questioned the government's role in the war on terrorism and the campaign's cost during a discussion sponsored by African American Student Services Wednesday.
The group of about 10 students was asked to read headlines aloud from newspapers around the world. The headlines were then used for the students to begin discussion, held in the African American Student Services meeting room.
Jamaal Martin, a UNM instructor, and Jocelyn Gamble-Mims, Senior Student Program Advisor to African American Student Services, began the debate by stressing the importance of having an open mind and listening to all the student's opinions.
"I may disagree with what you have to say, but I will always defend your right to say it," Martin said. "We are here to have an open discussion about the issues that are effecting us everyday."
One student at the meeting said he was discouraged with the amount of money that was being spent to fight the war in Afghanistan.
"We are spending $1.8 billion a month to fight this war and that is a lot of money and energy that we are pouring into something that we know little about," he said, after seeing the dollar amount in one of the headlines.
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Another student asked if the money could be better spent helping the poor and reforming the educational system.
"Where is the money coming from to support this war?" he asked. "Our government tells us that there is no money to make better schools and I see poor people on the streets everyday and I don't see us rushing to help them."
Another student said the Ku Klux Klan is no different than the Taliban and that they both are organizations of hate and evil.
Meghan Lennox, a senior at UNM, said she is bullied and criticized for speaking out against the war. She said she has carried a sign protesting the war and has received hate e-mails for doing so.
"It is my opinion that the war is wrong, but if I speak out against it I am criticized and made to look like I am un-American," she said.
Gary Hills, a student who attended the discussion, said oppression has changed. Although tyranny may not keep black people from drinking out of certain water fountains, he said it chastises people for questioning the government's role in the war on terrorism.
Jacinda Holden, a sophomore, said she doesn't understand what the government means when it says buying drugs supports terrorism.
"I've heard opium is what is produced in Afghanistan, and I don't know too many Americans who use that drug," she said.
Latoya Taylor, a student who attended the debate, also voiced her concern with Bush's performance and encouraged students to write letters to officials and make their opinions heard by decision makers.
Martin ended the debate by encouraging students to keep the conversation going in their homes and communities. The African American Student Services is planning another terrorism discussion later this year.
