The Griffon News

by Luke Herrington 

 The media has always been an integral part of the democratic process, especially on college campuses across this great nation.  A wise historian once told me that the media was especially important, because it is the first obligation of a responsible citizen or group of citizens to question authority—especially the authority of government. 

 With the recent issues faced by the Student Government Association, I can honestly say that I have been proud of our student newspaper.  The Griffon News has done a fairly good job, tracking major issues, and ensuring that our student body has been well informed.

However, after reading last week’s issue, I dare say that I am deeply concerned, and very disappointed with the staff editorial, “Have some respect, this isn’t High School.”

The issues addressed by Tay Triggs in the October 22nd meeting of the Student Senate, were not minority issues.  I feel as if the authors missed the point.  This is a serious problem, as I, and a huge number of students were extremely offended by last week’s newspaper.

First and foremost, the articles published in last weeks paper, are being viewed as an attack on black students.  The paper singled out an ethnic group, and charged those students with being disruptive, rude, vulgar, and even lazy.  Furthermore, the over use of the terms such as, “you,” “they,” “their,” etc, do nothing but offend minority students.  What’s worse is that such language propagates stereotypes, and breeds disunity.

The real issues at hand are far different than a few students, with “high school” mentalities, hanging out with their friends.  College isn’t the place for having fun?  I beg to differ.  Everyone has the right to mess around with their friends, and college is supposed to offer invaluable social experiences.  Not to mention the fact that we have several hundred freshmen attending this University.  I’m sorry to point out this reality, but students do not instantly get a “college mentality,” just because they walk across the stage after their senior year, and get a high school diploma.  To insinuate, for one moment, that the students in question are not here to learn, is absolutely absurd.

Furthermore, I can’t believe that someone would single out minority students for sleeping at convocation!  Does anyone remember Elijah Haahr, and the controversy it caused when he fell asleep ON STAGE at a convocation address?  He was the SGA President for crying out loud!  And I’m pretty sure that he was white.  In regards to the student on her phone… yes, she engaged in an act of disrespect, but considering the fact that students all over that auditorium sit through the address, chatting with their friends, no one has the right to single out black students for their behavior.

It seems apparent that the authors of these articles have not spent much time in the cafeteria, the residence halls, the second floor of the Blum Union, the Non-Traditional Student Office, or any other popular hangout on this campus.  If they had, they would have heard students of all walks of life:  residents, Greeks, non-trads, etc, act in a manner, which isn’t always befitting or professional.

The fact of the matter is that we are all human.  We all talk our own way, and we want to do what we want, when we want.  We are all guilty of disrespecting someone else.  The authors of that editorial didn’t have the right to cast the first stone.  I know from experience, that The Griffon News staff is not above this mess.  After a meeting with the editorial board, I recall the dismay of a major university administrator, because she walked into The Griffon News office, when an editor was dropping the “f-bomb” left and right.  Again, I dare say, that none of us are above this mess.

The Griffon News had a great opportunity to do something positive with this situation.  Instead, the editorial singled out a group of students, based on their race, and published an appalling issue, criticizing minority students.  This is not the role of a responsible journalistic venue, which exists to spread ideas.  Just because you have the right to publish an article, does not make you exempt from displaying common decency.

I know I speak for many students across campus, when I say that this situation is unacceptable, and that The Griffon News should immediately issue an apology.
-Luke Herrington