Reveille content not ‘anti-male’
To address “anti-male content”:
Writing about women’s issues does not constitute anti-male content. Nowhere did you cite an example of “male-bashing;” you interpreted the discussion of gender equity by women as anti-male.
You mentioned “three articles pertaining to gender equality in the sports world.” Ms. Waldon has written on other topics since she has been sports editor, so your request for her to “pick another topic” is not justified. You actually are suggesting that she avoid the topic. This does not follow your purported agreement that “gender discrimination is bad,” and given the amount of money and resources poured into sports, this is an important context in which to consider the issue.
You said you wish to read about sports in the sports section. Is discussing gender equity in sports not about sports? Suppose a woman wrote in saying she was “tired” of reading sports articles about men. I imagine you would attribute her being upset with overrepresentation of men to her being a whiny “feminazi.” Perhaps you mean to say you wish not to have your paradigm of sports challenged when you read the newspaper.
Regarding The Reveille staff, I find the phrase “it’s time you ladies found another topic to rant about” condescending; you again are implying that gender issues are unimportant and their discussion of them is incoherent “ranting.” You attribute the editors being women to reverse sex discrimination. Women employed by LSU as a whole are disproportionately underpaid and not in positions of great power at the University. The fact that the Reveille has women editors in no way “even[s] the score” of gender inequity at this University, much less in the larger context of sexism.
Finally, as a white man and a feminist, I implore you not to use your sex and race to excuse yourself from addressing social ills intelligently and responsibly. Being white and male does not make your opinion automatically wrong. What makes your argument ignorant and misguided is your narrow, privileged perspective and reluctance to deal with the reality of others.
George E. Juge
Senior — Psychology
Media’s war images are too graphic
I am writing in response to the article on the images that are shown of the war. I agree journalists should be more considerate of their audience.
I have seen more images of dead people recently than I have seen my whole life. I also agree there are people who do need to understand the reality, but we as a people should not be exposed to these images every day of our lives.
There are too many photos that are not needed in order to show the horror of war. I completely agree with Adrienne about the right of reporters, but we are right to say looking into the eyes of a dead soldier will not make us sleep any better at night. It only makes me feel worse about what is going on overseas.
Lindsay Quebedeaux
Freshman — Mass Communication
Media should limit graphic images
I am writing in response to the “Images of Death” column. I agree with the writer when she said “the truth of this war, and any other violent event, can be told without putting the blank stares of the dead all over newspapers and televisions.” Imagine if the picture of a dead person was your very own friend or family member. It makes the whole aspect of war even more sick and gruesome. I’m not saying hide what is really going on over there, but the pictures do not have to be plastered all over the media. We also have to consider if these photos are actually real. I was told in one of my mass comm classes that a journalist was fired because he altered two pictures to create a fake one. Even though they were slight alterations, the published photo was misleading to what was actually photographed. Pictures of the war and the violence that are published should definitely have some restrictions and should be looked into further for accuracy.
Leslie Habeney
Junior — Mass Communication
Column pointed out ‘small things’
I just wanted to thank you for your column “The Small Things” by columnist Peter Ragusa. Your article was a breath of fresh air among talk of war, destruction, serial killers and the SARS virus. It is not too often that we take a moment to reflect on all God has blessed us with. Yes, there are many crazy things going on in the world at the moment, but God is good. I like to reflect on the wonders of God’s creation by remembering how the author Max Lucado encouraged his readers to look at the world as if God were speaking to them. When you capture a glimpse of a captivating sunset or marvel at the beauty of a breathtaking mountain range, imagine the God of the universe saying to you, “I made this just for you.” God could have left the sky without stars or the grass without flowers. But instead, He carefully blanketed the black sky with brilliant stars and clothed the field with intricate flowers.
Katie Friday
Sophomore — Elementary Education
Downtown should recruit students
I am writing in regard to the article in Tuesday’s paper titled “Upping Downtown.” I truly back the Downtown Development District’s efforts. My friends and I go to the bars in Tigerland frequently, but lately, I have found the whole scene just getting old.
Being a New Orleans native, I am used to variety when it comes to bars, and that is an area Baton Rouge seems to be struggling with. I have heard the names of these bars before, but everyone just keeps going back to Tigerland because it is so convenient.
The Downtown Development District needs to find ways to attract more people to the bars and make it more convenient for students to go there.
For example, develop some sort of transportation system like the buses Tigerland has or have popular bands play there. Once these downtown bars get people out there, and they can see what the downtown scene is all about, people will be more likely to come back. As said in the article, people will go where they think everyone else will be.
Bridget Conrad
Sophomore — Mass Communication
Profiles gave insight into candidates
In a time when a student is considered to be in depth just for actually looking at a candidate’s issues, I was very impressed with your coverage of the Student Government elections.
What better way to endear the candidates to us than to compare them to our favorite superheros? I was pleased to be able to step back and remember that the candidates were real students who actually lived lives just like I did.
In the hectic time of push-cards and tickets, it is easy to think that these people are merely disconnected students who do not take class but merely spend all their time campaigning and planning for the presidency. Students often wander aimlessly to the polls, voting without a purpose for a candidate they know nothing about, except perhaps if their ticket is affiliated with a specific organization or a friend.
With detailed coverage that lets us know about the candidates actual intentions, perhaps more students will vote with real intent.
It was a nice breath of fresh air to remember our future president is a real person with class, with girlfriends, and without socks.
Thanks.
Kim Moreau
Freshman — Mass Communication