Spring Break
Letters To The Editor
Issue date: 10/2/07 Section: Commentary
Jena Six Column Displays Latent Racism
Bryan Murphy has written one of the largest displays of social and racial ignorance I have ever seen ("Examine Both Sides Of The Jena Six Story," Sept. 28). His statement that "the white students should not be charged with hate crime charges for high school ignorance" in the Jena Six incident is not only suspiciously racist but completely ridiculous and overwhelmingly ignorant.
Since when does being in high school excuse participating in an action that is meant to target, intimidate and ultimately degrade someone of a particular gender, sexual orientation and most importantly race? Murphy seems to think that hanging nooses from trees is some kind of common and acceptable event, therefore suggesting he maintains a somewhat racist perspective which is not acceptable in any media. I suppose if white students at the University of Connecticut began hanging nooses outside of the African-American Cultural Center, Murphy would then write an article advocating what I consider to be a tragedy.
Murphy continues his argument with, "I can't escape the feeling that this entire controversy is backwards." However, what is backwards is white kids not being charged for an exponentially more socially and racially-charged crime while black kids had been initially charged with attempted murder for beating a kid up at school. It is extremely troubling that a young, intelligent man such as Murphy is ignorant and naive enough to assert that hanging nooses from a "white tree" is "being a high school idiot, but is not a crime." Frankly he is completely out of line.
- Kyle Hayes,
3rd-semester,
communications major.
Iranian Leader
Deserved Cold Reception
I strongly disagree with George Maynard's commentary ("Ahmadinejad Deserved Better Treatment," Sept. 27). Though I understand his point of view about respecting the head of the state and representative of another country when inviting him or her to an event here, we should note that Ahmadinejad is not the true representative of the Iranian people. He is their oppressor and their tyrant.
Bryan Murphy has written one of the largest displays of social and racial ignorance I have ever seen ("Examine Both Sides Of The Jena Six Story," Sept. 28). His statement that "the white students should not be charged with hate crime charges for high school ignorance" in the Jena Six incident is not only suspiciously racist but completely ridiculous and overwhelmingly ignorant.
Since when does being in high school excuse participating in an action that is meant to target, intimidate and ultimately degrade someone of a particular gender, sexual orientation and most importantly race? Murphy seems to think that hanging nooses from trees is some kind of common and acceptable event, therefore suggesting he maintains a somewhat racist perspective which is not acceptable in any media. I suppose if white students at the University of Connecticut began hanging nooses outside of the African-American Cultural Center, Murphy would then write an article advocating what I consider to be a tragedy.
Murphy continues his argument with, "I can't escape the feeling that this entire controversy is backwards." However, what is backwards is white kids not being charged for an exponentially more socially and racially-charged crime while black kids had been initially charged with attempted murder for beating a kid up at school. It is extremely troubling that a young, intelligent man such as Murphy is ignorant and naive enough to assert that hanging nooses from a "white tree" is "being a high school idiot, but is not a crime." Frankly he is completely out of line.
- Kyle Hayes,
3rd-semester,
communications major.
Iranian Leader
Deserved Cold Reception
I strongly disagree with George Maynard's commentary ("Ahmadinejad Deserved Better Treatment," Sept. 27). Though I understand his point of view about respecting the head of the state and representative of another country when inviting him or her to an event here, we should note that Ahmadinejad is not the true representative of the Iranian people. He is their oppressor and their tyrant.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
erinn2374
Erin
posted 10/02/07 @ 9:34 AM EST
After reading Kyle Hayes' letter to the editor, one main issue disturbed me. He argues, "Since when does being in high school excuse participating in an action that is meant to target, intimidate and ultimately degrade someone of a particular gender, sexual orientation and most importantly race?" The main problem with this question he poses is the fact that he emphasizes the idea that being discriminated against based upon race is the most "important" issue. (Continued…)
Brian
posted 10/02/07 @ 2:27 PM EST
This country has a long way to go in race equality. It seems to me that alot of people slept through the civil rights movement. It is time to wake up. (Continued…)
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