Vincent Ferrer/The Mirror
Although you probably have numerous complaints about Barone, I bet extortion isn’t one of them.
Until “MMMBop” starts playing, that is.
Normally in the past when something affects my overall living conditions, I find myself doing my best to ignore it. However, this becomes difficult when I am forced to listen to Hanson on repeat.
While the practice of disparagement against another’s individual musical inclinations is in bad taste, it is not okay to have a single song played on repeat at the place where I eat. When I inquired as to why this was happening with a random sample of my fellow student body, I discovered that it was a form of extortion.
As I understand it, the song was being played in order to induce members of the student body to pay $1,500 towards a LEAF service trip to New Orleans to help rebuild houses. While I agree that it is a worthy trip, I do not believe this particular means of acquiring this money is okay.
My first problem is that they intended to receive the money needed from the student body. This is a group who has just either spent their own money, their parents money or loaned money as an investment toward their own future – a future which will not pay dividends until they graduate and no longer plan to eat at the cafeteria.
“Stop the Bop” would have been better served by trying to obtain money from any of the hedge funds in Greenwich, international banks in Stamford or insurance firms in Hartford. Any of these present a better option for supplying the money. This is for two reasons: they have the capital to divest in the cause; they would also be more willing as they have all found themselves objects of public scorn and would rather be ‘occupied’ by photos of successful ‘service trips.’
Secondly, this is a methodology which makes two very ugly assumptions about our student body. The first is that we are somehow uncharitable or disinterested in the plights of others. The next assumption is that we lack the dignity and self-respect of resisting extortion.
As I understand it, the Jesuit tradition highlights charity towards others, especially those in need. I do not believe that charity in response to extortion is in fact charity, but is rather merely extortion. It would be futile to highlight the needs of charity through a means that negates it.
Finally, this is a college campus. While this may for some invite thoughts of drinking and partying, I believe that our focus should be placed upon education in the interests of all. The only reason why I should have donated money was to ‘Stop the Bop.’ In my opinion, there was not sufficient information I saw as to what else the money would be for.
If people were instead enlightened to the suffering which happens elsewhere in the world and how much can be done for relatively small amounts of money, I’m sure that students would be more willing to engage in the concept of charity.
I’m afraid that people will be no more interested in this suffering if the means by which they are taught is something which gathers attention by attempting to annoy those who pass by.
For now, let’s just be thankful that the bop finally stopped.
Let’s hope it’s permanent.
Leave a Reply