Bicycle theft exposes public safety troubles
I like to think that I live on a safe campus, but I still take the usual precautions: I lock my apartment, I lock my car and I lock my bike.
On Halloween, though, my bike was stolen and it seems that getting it back is a feat I’ll have to tackle myself.
Getting a hold of Public Safety by phone was a process in itself. I had to leave a message and it was four hours before someone returned my call.
Even then, the only help they could offer was that they would, “Keep an eye out in their travels.”
I called the city police in case someone turned my bike into them. Since my bike was stolen on campus, they could not file a report.
I tried to post “Stolen” flyers around campus. When I tried to get them stamped for posting, though, I was informed that I could only post them on two boards on campus: one in the University Center and one in Jamrich.
Local bike shops told me that I was the fourth person last week who reported a stolen bike to them.
I hope that the other victims’ thefts occurred in a more ‘convenient’ off-campus location so that they may freely advertise their losses and receive help from city officials.
Thefts are displayed almost weekly on the Campus Crime Map followed by, “The case is still open.” With the lack of support offered for victims of theft, I wonder how many of those cases ever close.
Emily Strazzinski
senior, music education

Muslim faith discussions should continue
I was very glad to be a part of a large and welcoming audience for the Muslim Imam who spoke at Northern in October.
It was heartening to see that he was open to a dialogue about Islam in the United States, and that so many people here were interested.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend any of the smaller group discussions that week, hence many questions remain for me about the perspectives of Muslim faith based on the Quran.
From the reading I have done, it seems the message is clear: women are born to serve men. If they waiver, they are beaten.
This is acceptable and unquestioned. Children who disobey may also be beaten, especially girls.
These human rights abuses remain a vital issue that needs to be addressed.
Another concern is the idea that it is acceptable to kill non- Muslim people, as they do not serve Allah.
If there is one who has been a Muslim, but chose to leave the faith, it’s acceptable that this person should be killed.
I don’t believe these things can be overlooked or tolerated. Moving forward in our understanding of the Muslim faith and religious tolerance, I would like to keep this discussion going.

A. McMahon