Recognize our rights
I was very disappointed by Lt. Nero’s knee-jerk reaction to The Mirror’s (entirely balanced) coverage of the peace march in New York City.
As a student who attended the march, I’m offended at the way Nero makes assumptions, such as “the participants lack factual information and a credible position” and that we are “simply followers of a cause.”
Lt. Nero knows absolutely nothing about me or any of the other students who participated in the march. He is the one who lacks factual information. We came out that Saturday morning to bring attention to the fact that a vast majority of the American people no longer support President Bush’s failed policies in Iraq.
With over 3,000 American troops and over 100,000 Iraqis dead, hundreds of billions of dollars spent (and several billion more that just disappeared) and America’s reputation in the international community shattered, it is imperative that the American people show President Bush and our lawmakers that enough is enough.
I have nothing but respect for Lt. Nero’s service to our country. Given the sacrifices he made to protect the freedoms we enjoy, I’m disappointed that he seems to miss the importance of the freedom to peaceably assemble, which we exercised that day.
Sincerely,
Ben Donovan ’11
Student outraged about racial slur in 3×5
While reading the Nov. 8 edition of The Mirror, I was offended. Not offended by Stanczyk’s “He Said” column, which I am a big fan of, but by Assistant Commentary Editor Chris Haliskoe’s answer to one of the Mirror Sports 3×5 questions. The question: Better Joe: Torre or Girardi? Haliskoe’s ignorant answer: “If you have to pick a guinea from the city, you pick Giuliani.” ‘Guinea’ is a racial slur referring to Italians and Italian-Americans, which is on par with the ‘N-Word’ when speaking of the black community. I am appalled not only as an Italian-American, but as a reader looking for some humor in the commentary section, expecting the contributors and editors to be smart enough to take the high road. I wonder if Chris Haliskoe is man enough to call me a guinea to my face. He owes the University community an apology.
Charlie Antinori ’11
The offensive material has been taken off of the online version of the story
Stanczyk not all bad?
I am writing in response to the “He Said” column (insert complaint about insulting women and degradation here).
I wear Uggs religiously, I attended an all-girls high school, and I am a female student-athlete. I enjoy wearing huge sunglasses at night, and I love pink hats. In fact, I could definitely beat Dan in a sprint. The problem is, he would not know that because I have never challenged him. And, Stanczyk-bashers, neither have you.
Ladies, I am all for girl power. In fact, I am an advocate of women’s rights. I feel, however, that the type of response the “He Said” column has generated directly relates to the stereotypes Stanczyk has perpetuated weekly. Facebook groups entitled
“He Said Shit” essentially mean nothing without follow-through. We, the gorgeous women we are, love to talk and all of your talk with lack of action shows the extent to which we have tried to affect change. If you want an apology from him, demand one. I am sure he would love to talk to you; in fact, I believe he said in this week’s Mirror that he would be “more than happy” to speak with the offended parties.
“He Said” is not journalism. It is, however, a thought-provoking, public outlet for guy with a strong writer’s voice. He has the right to make a statement. Editorials should encourage discussion or recognition of stereotypes.
Did anyone ever stop and think that maybe that is Stanczyk’s purpose?
Props to Mirror Editor in Chief Stephanie Lauto. I think it is pretty cool that a female editor can handle Stanczyk’s brutal opinions with the grace she portrayed in her recent column. It would be a shame to see freedom of speech silenced at the college level. I think that “He Said” has a great comedic sense. Some comments are offensive, sure, yet almost too ridiculous to be taken as truth. I think that is his point. The column provides entertainment, and that should be the extent of it. My friends and I continue to read The Mirror every week. In fact, I hear of more people reading The Mirror now. People actually care about a hot topic on campus – wait, what?
Most people, including me, usually get pissed off when another person points out what they do not like to see in themselves. Wear your Uggs proudly and give Stanczyk a “swift kick in the shins” in person. I’m sure he would laugh. He might even start to think a little differently. Think about it.
Sincerely,
Kristen McManus ’09
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