2008 Woodie Awards
Letters to the editor
Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: Editorials
Guidelines for observing student behavior unfair
"Pictures speak a thousand words." That was the image embedded in my head today while I was walking outside of my black world studies class. As I was trying to recall what happened in those few moments in class, my emotions ran wild thinking about the brochure that was passed around
for all of us to see. It was an embarrassing moment-not only for my class but for the whole university. The famous brochure was titled, "Guidelines for faculty and staff in responding to critical student behavior." It shows two African-American boys sitting directly in front of a white man-indicating that they are the ones who cause the problems.
Personally, this hit a very low point since we live in a nation that is not segregated. We live in a nation where all races are accepted and no one should be discriminated against. Our founding fathers fought for democracy and freedom. Now I ask the entire faculty, stuff, students and everyone that is involved in this school: Was that right? Was that picture necessary?
Right now we are in a crucial moment in our society. In a few months, elections will be held and among those who are waiting for our vote is Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)-a black man who has shown us with his words the capabilities he has to offer by his presidency. Our country should be prepared to elect the right person no matter what the color of their skin is. Now here we are flaunting around a brochure that depicts black people as a major problem? Who are we to point fingers at others and show from what race most problems arise? As Americans, we should be proud of our heritage and walk the streets with our head up high knowing that we are all respected by this society. Miami University needs to embrace its cultural diversity rather than bring the black race down. It was the college students 40 years ago during the civil rights movement that stood up against the racist crowd to try and integrate schools. How dare we take their struggle and their win against discrimination and segregation away?
Seeing my teacher today so enraged about the brochure gave me the initiative to write this letter. He was right; we the students have the power to change what is wrong. It is easy for everyone to just look at that brochure and not think of it as anything. This university needs to unite together and speak out about this brochure. It was wrong in so many ways. Pictures such as those should not be accepted anywhere across this campus or in the nation. Someone has to apologize for their actions and understand that what they did really hurt some of us who do not believe in racial discrimination. I hope my words are able to spark some curiosity in this matter and speak out against this wrong doing. This school is where we live and what we stand up for. We need to realize that actions have consequences and if we are the ones to speak out against this now, crimes like this will not take place anymore. Stand up for what you believe, Miami, and take appropriate steps to make this school a better place that looks into the future rather than the past.
Ina Prifti
priftii@muohio.edu
As primary race continues, Obama still sees advantage
This letter isn't about why Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) policies are better or claiming he's more electable-it's about the results and how they don't reflect a shift in the campaign as much as an example of what has already been happening. It is a conversation about cold, hard political tactics.
While there are many reasons for what happened March 4, what I'm going to focus on is the same reason why it's incredible that Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) is being challenged at all. It rests on a simple truth that in the absence of information, voters trend towards familiarity. Everyone knows former President Bill Clinton and Americans remember how nice it was in the 1990s. Large states make it harder for Obama to connect with audiences who don't yet know him. This especially includes the important "lower-income whites" that propelled Clinton to victory March 4.
Knowing he had this disadvantage, Obama focused on volunteers and fundraising. As a result he still has a 100 delegate lead including the super delegates. The Clinton camp will argue that this proves she's back. Well, she was never gone-he was down by 20 points two weeks ago in both states. As he came to those states the numbers became closer and closer as more and more people got to see Obama and hear his views. Over the weekend, the Clinton campaign ran a series of attack ads focusing on who was poised to handle a national crisis. For casual voters who had not heard much about the candidates, the Clinton name was reassurance. By playing on the fear of voters, she was able to cast doubt about the idealistic upstart. These are the same tactics successfully used by a Republican Party whose platform benefits big business, but whose base has been lower-income, middle-aged Americans. I am not claiming that these tactics aren't fair play, but understanding the complexities of American politics is important for assessing results. Obama knew from the first day of the campaign that he would face an uphill battle, especially in large industrial states such as Ohio. Although he outspent her in these states, the fact remains that a large amount of people don't follow politics.
Moving forward, Clinton will have a nearly impossible time of overcoming his lead in the popular vote and in pledged delegates (she would need 70 percent of the remaining delegates). I know that using the details of the system to your own advantage might seem unsavory by the Obama campaign, but I see it like this: This is a man that knows how to use a system. If there is one critique of Clinton that is most prevalent, it is that she is unable to be subtle. This means that she must fight her way through everything. Contrastingly, Obama will be able to use whatever tools he has in order to get his reforms past Republicans that are ideologically opposed to them. Former President Ronald Reagan took an ultra-conservative platform and got Democrats to go along with it. Obama can do the same thing in a reverse manner. Clinton has made an issue of who is ready to be our executive leader the central focus of her campaign. Neither candidate has held an executive position so this campaign is the best clue as to how they will run their administration. Obama has overcome a gigantic deficit in public recognition, a far smaller fundraising base and a tilted media. Clinton's campaign has been characterized by a bunker mentality and reliance on crafty political pollsters like Mark Penn. She recently fired her campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle after it was released that her campaign had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on things like suites at the Bellagio in Nevada-Obama's workers, however, were staying in supporters' homes to save money. The question then becomes, if Clinton can't control the administration of a political campaign, why would we trust her with the nation?
The manner in which Obama has conducted his campaign, using craft and political charm rather than fear and fighting, is the best example of what has made his campaign so special. It gives me confidence to know that hope and inspiration are backed up by knowledge of the political system and clear understanding of the rules. And, after March 4, the numbers are still staggering. He has won 28 states to her 13; he has a majority of the pledged delegates, a majority of the popular vote and is out-fundraising her in every month since January. He has brought more new voters, especially young voters, into the process than any candidate in modern history.
If March 4 proved anything, it's that change does not come easy. It will take hard work and real leadership. The fact that young people were only 16 percent of the vote in Ohio means that we have a lot of work to do. So please, Obama supporters, don't see this as a setback, because it is just one more example of the incredible campaign he has run and the inspirational movement we have a chance to be part of. Let this be a call to action to show that new politics can happen and that the broken system in Washington, D.C. can be fixed. It might be hard, but rather than give into the cynical message of the Clinton campaign, we must stand together and firmly proclaim: Yes we can.
Patrick Frank
frankp@muohio.edu
"Pictures speak a thousand words." That was the image embedded in my head today while I was walking outside of my black world studies class. As I was trying to recall what happened in those few moments in class, my emotions ran wild thinking about the brochure that was passed around
for all of us to see. It was an embarrassing moment-not only for my class but for the whole university. The famous brochure was titled, "Guidelines for faculty and staff in responding to critical student behavior." It shows two African-American boys sitting directly in front of a white man-indicating that they are the ones who cause the problems.
Personally, this hit a very low point since we live in a nation that is not segregated. We live in a nation where all races are accepted and no one should be discriminated against. Our founding fathers fought for democracy and freedom. Now I ask the entire faculty, stuff, students and everyone that is involved in this school: Was that right? Was that picture necessary?
Right now we are in a crucial moment in our society. In a few months, elections will be held and among those who are waiting for our vote is Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)-a black man who has shown us with his words the capabilities he has to offer by his presidency. Our country should be prepared to elect the right person no matter what the color of their skin is. Now here we are flaunting around a brochure that depicts black people as a major problem? Who are we to point fingers at others and show from what race most problems arise? As Americans, we should be proud of our heritage and walk the streets with our head up high knowing that we are all respected by this society. Miami University needs to embrace its cultural diversity rather than bring the black race down. It was the college students 40 years ago during the civil rights movement that stood up against the racist crowd to try and integrate schools. How dare we take their struggle and their win against discrimination and segregation away?
Seeing my teacher today so enraged about the brochure gave me the initiative to write this letter. He was right; we the students have the power to change what is wrong. It is easy for everyone to just look at that brochure and not think of it as anything. This university needs to unite together and speak out about this brochure. It was wrong in so many ways. Pictures such as those should not be accepted anywhere across this campus or in the nation. Someone has to apologize for their actions and understand that what they did really hurt some of us who do not believe in racial discrimination. I hope my words are able to spark some curiosity in this matter and speak out against this wrong doing. This school is where we live and what we stand up for. We need to realize that actions have consequences and if we are the ones to speak out against this now, crimes like this will not take place anymore. Stand up for what you believe, Miami, and take appropriate steps to make this school a better place that looks into the future rather than the past.
Ina Prifti
priftii@muohio.edu
As primary race continues, Obama still sees advantage
This letter isn't about why Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) policies are better or claiming he's more electable-it's about the results and how they don't reflect a shift in the campaign as much as an example of what has already been happening. It is a conversation about cold, hard political tactics.
While there are many reasons for what happened March 4, what I'm going to focus on is the same reason why it's incredible that Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) is being challenged at all. It rests on a simple truth that in the absence of information, voters trend towards familiarity. Everyone knows former President Bill Clinton and Americans remember how nice it was in the 1990s. Large states make it harder for Obama to connect with audiences who don't yet know him. This especially includes the important "lower-income whites" that propelled Clinton to victory March 4.
Knowing he had this disadvantage, Obama focused on volunteers and fundraising. As a result he still has a 100 delegate lead including the super delegates. The Clinton camp will argue that this proves she's back. Well, she was never gone-he was down by 20 points two weeks ago in both states. As he came to those states the numbers became closer and closer as more and more people got to see Obama and hear his views. Over the weekend, the Clinton campaign ran a series of attack ads focusing on who was poised to handle a national crisis. For casual voters who had not heard much about the candidates, the Clinton name was reassurance. By playing on the fear of voters, she was able to cast doubt about the idealistic upstart. These are the same tactics successfully used by a Republican Party whose platform benefits big business, but whose base has been lower-income, middle-aged Americans. I am not claiming that these tactics aren't fair play, but understanding the complexities of American politics is important for assessing results. Obama knew from the first day of the campaign that he would face an uphill battle, especially in large industrial states such as Ohio. Although he outspent her in these states, the fact remains that a large amount of people don't follow politics.
Moving forward, Clinton will have a nearly impossible time of overcoming his lead in the popular vote and in pledged delegates (she would need 70 percent of the remaining delegates). I know that using the details of the system to your own advantage might seem unsavory by the Obama campaign, but I see it like this: This is a man that knows how to use a system. If there is one critique of Clinton that is most prevalent, it is that she is unable to be subtle. This means that she must fight her way through everything. Contrastingly, Obama will be able to use whatever tools he has in order to get his reforms past Republicans that are ideologically opposed to them. Former President Ronald Reagan took an ultra-conservative platform and got Democrats to go along with it. Obama can do the same thing in a reverse manner. Clinton has made an issue of who is ready to be our executive leader the central focus of her campaign. Neither candidate has held an executive position so this campaign is the best clue as to how they will run their administration. Obama has overcome a gigantic deficit in public recognition, a far smaller fundraising base and a tilted media. Clinton's campaign has been characterized by a bunker mentality and reliance on crafty political pollsters like Mark Penn. She recently fired her campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle after it was released that her campaign had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on things like suites at the Bellagio in Nevada-Obama's workers, however, were staying in supporters' homes to save money. The question then becomes, if Clinton can't control the administration of a political campaign, why would we trust her with the nation?
The manner in which Obama has conducted his campaign, using craft and political charm rather than fear and fighting, is the best example of what has made his campaign so special. It gives me confidence to know that hope and inspiration are backed up by knowledge of the political system and clear understanding of the rules. And, after March 4, the numbers are still staggering. He has won 28 states to her 13; he has a majority of the pledged delegates, a majority of the popular vote and is out-fundraising her in every month since January. He has brought more new voters, especially young voters, into the process than any candidate in modern history.
If March 4 proved anything, it's that change does not come easy. It will take hard work and real leadership. The fact that young people were only 16 percent of the vote in Ohio means that we have a lot of work to do. So please, Obama supporters, don't see this as a setback, because it is just one more example of the incredible campaign he has run and the inspirational movement we have a chance to be part of. Let this be a call to action to show that new politics can happen and that the broken system in Washington, D.C. can be fixed. It might be hard, but rather than give into the cynical message of the Clinton campaign, we must stand together and firmly proclaim: Yes we can.
Patrick Frank
frankp@muohio.edu
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