|
Volume CXXXIII, Number 16 |
 |
Let's get the facts first
To the Editors:
I have been frustrated with the manner in which the "racial incidents" on campus have been dealt with by the administration and the Orient.
The student body has been sent two emails about the event, one from Craig Bradley and one from President Mills, neither of which described what happened in the Pub. Instead, these emails focused on how to react to these incidents and encouraged students to talk with one another. In the meantime, the Orient published an article that focused on reactions instead of reporting what actually happened. For example, Iyabo Mandengo was described by one student as "speaking very condescendingly of 'white America,'" but what the poet actually said is left to the reader's imagination. Since a large number of students did not witness the incident in the Pub, the article, as well as the emails, simply fueled confusion.
Many people in the student body as well as the administration desire a "dialogue" on campus. If this is to happen, it is critical that the student body is properly informed. It is impossible to have a constructive debate without facts. How are we, as students, supposed to engage in a productive dialogue if a vast majority of students have gossip and hearsay as their only sources of information?
In the future, I hope that the administration and the Orient deliver the facts first, and then provide their analysis. With this change, the campus will be able to stride forward instead of wallowing in rumors.
Sincerely,
Ben Peisch '05
For information on sending a letter to the editor, please click here.
|
FastCounter by bCentral |