Well, my internet is FINALLY back. It's been out for almost 3 days--as many days as it rained like hell in Mt. Pleasant. A lot has happened over the past 3 days, so I'd like to start out by talking about the seeds of hate. We all know what the end result of hate is. But the question that people rarely ask is where does it start. Hate does not begin at hate crimes, of course, so it must have a source somewhere. Does it begin at the KKK? No, that is also about mid-teir on the chronology of hate. No, ladies and gentlemen, hate begins here, with stereotypes and the ALLOWANCE of its perpetuation. CMU is allowing the continuance of stereotypes and bigotry by its non-action in the case of Jared Parko, the West Bloomfield freshman who dressed in a rediculous Native American mocking outfit at the homecomming game and the game after. Because CMU is chosing not to punish him, this opens the door up for more shows of ignorant pagentry. I don't advocate making an example of Parko--I am VERY against that school of thought that everything needs something to have an example made out of it to deter others from it--but I do believe it's time for CMU to sit down, make a Decisive move and set up a precedent for this kind of terrible racism and implement it consistently whenever it is breeched.
However, this does not mean I'm against free speech. In fact, I vehemently defend the first amendment right for everyone everywhere. However, I also know that stereotypes--though seemingly innocent--have terrible tragic results. I support the right of the KKK to march down Main Street, and the right of Jerry Falwell to tell me I'm goin to hell on TV--but I can also turn the TV off and avoid Main Street. But if I'm at a football game, I don't want to have to put up with that. I think that CMU should decree that, though this type of mindset is legal and can't be stopped; and their oppinions--as offensive as they are--are wlecome, this type of behavior is not. Because while it may just seem like "boys being boys" or "just innocent fun," but what it leads to is scary as hell. If CMU won't do anything about this, we should--as a student body--stand up and say "No, we won't put up with these attitudes and these actions. Your bigotry and ignorance is unwelcome here. And if noone will join me, then I guess I stand alone, but I promise I will not back down--I will fight for the side of right. I can't do otherwise.