Student calls for ‘revamp’ed Reveille
Sensationalism went out more than 100 years ago with newspapers which made such claims as dinosaurs “roaming the range” when the New West was described to American East Coast readers. Newspapers that make such claims and others that make either equally preposterous claims or those that produce mostly tabloid, are usually called “rags.” I call LSU’s Reveille, to my great dismay, a rag.
During the last five years I have attended LSU, the newspaper has gone from pretty good, to ok, to just plain bad. I am greatly disappointed by this and am only finally speaking out because I can be quiet no longer. I know a lot of work and dedication is put into it but just because that effort is made, doesn’t make it a good paper. The paper has had many stories that are usually of only relative interest to a select few and has consistently overly biased its stories covered. I know that it is virtually impossible to erase all bias, especially if a lot of care is put into something; however is that not what being professional means?
A good example of The Reveille’s inadequate reporting is a recent story about racism in Tigerland. The reporter’s point of view is immediately weakened by the reporter’s initial approach to the story, something I feel happens regularly with The Reveille’s stories. Among other negative aspects such as a general lack of creative thought and insufficient investigating, there is no true sense of impartiality — a most key element.
The paper is routinely and exhaustively riddled with bad stories and/or bad reporting. Perhaps it is not the fault of the reporters. Blame should more likely fall onto the shoulders of the editors [those who gave us the cartoon strip “Nerts”]. Hopefully those editors are strong enough or are established well enough to be able to resist the agendas of their faculty advisors, peer’s feelings or personal sentiments when reporting a story.
As a graduating senior, I am calling for a revamping of our school newspaper. Somebody please do something about this. I only wish I had.
Jeremy Pearce Cinman
Senior — History and Sociology
Bar dress codes are ‘shameful’
While reading some responses from Reveille readers, I admit a bar reserves the right to enforce a dress code. However, I also agree explicitly targeting an African-American brand or all-white sneakers is a step too far in a dress code. A printed sign that advocates this policy is blatantly racist, something that is horrendous, despicable and shameful. Why not say “No athletic wear; no jeans; no hats”? That’s a respectable dress code.
Being a resident of the Washington, D.C. area, when I first came to Baton Rouge I was shocked to see the nonchalant attitude toward such policies. I was also appalled at the fact that many individuals do not think twice about using racist terminologies, stating “That’s how it is down here; you’re in the South now.” Let me propose a drastic thought: We are all the same race, we are all human. It’s the 21st century, so let’s start acting like we learned something from the past 100 years.
If the Reggie’s dress code sign were to be put up in a D.C. or New York bar, I guarantee that establishment would be slapped with a lawsuit that very same day.
So let’s not kid ourselves; acknowledge that bigotry does still exist and must be eliminated. I realize this geographic area is very conservative and stoutly G.O.P., but one also must realize not everything that is conservative is good. Being a “liberal” (which is another term I find highly misconstrued) is not a bad idea sometimes.
To Mr. Person: I respect your opinion about fashion, but try to be a bit more open-minded about the issue. Polos and khakis are not the only items of clothing for going out, and all-white shoes are not solely part of a nurse’s uniform. Different people have different clothing in which they look fashionable yet presentable.
My hope is that people will begin to think differently and more open-mindedly about cultural issues. It is a necessity for the future of our global community. With the nation’s founding principles in mind, remember change is necessary for progress.
Albert Ardon
Senior — Biological Sciences
Entrance rules are blatant discrimination
My blood boiled as I read the article titled “Prejudiced Policies?” I questioned myself as to why students at a University as “liberal” as LSU would be subjected to such ridiculous regulations. The LSU community is full of businesses which cater to students needs. The money we spend is what keeps these businesses running. We should ALL be receiving the same treatment when we go to these establishments. So why does a BAR feel that it needs to have a dress code that’s obviously stereotypical?
Let me play devil’s advocate and suggest why some of these rules MIGHT have been put into effect.
NO JERSEYS: Wearing of jerseys might imply that you’re a famous athlete and therefore cause a commotion due to people flocking to your side for your autograph and a photo.
NO FLIP FLOPS: We just threw this one in to keep from stepping on anyone’s toes.
NO FUBU SHIRTS: Patrons of the bar may spend too much time trying to figure out what the letters FUBU mean and therefore spend less time buying drinks and dancing.
NO VISORS: Who really feels comfortable in a cap without a top?
NO SUNGLASSES: Someone may mistake you for a visually impaired person and we don’t carry Braille drink menus and there are no Braille signs to direct you to the bathrooms, dance floor, pool tables, and emergency exits.
NO VISIBLE BEEPERS: We will, however, allow INVISIBLE beepers, etc.
So you see, these rules could have very well have been established with just cause, but that would be looking at the situation through rose-colored glasses.
The rules are blatant attacks on the urban community and within that the African-American community. In 2003, when it is obvious that other cultures have embraced the style and fashion of African Americans and vice versa, the dividing line between what’s black and what’s white is becoming thinner. The line needs to be erased completely because this will continue to be “a race issue” until WE stop making it one.
Kristen R. Carter
Junior — Psychology
Racial issues not a reality in Tigerland
Let me start by saying I’m white, and I have multiple white friends who have been denied entrance to Dublin’s and Tiger Bar because they were not dressed according to the dress code. For this reason, it is clear to me that the NAACP is basing their boycott on racial issues that in reality do not exist.
Second, let’s assume hypothetically that these bars were discriminating against minorities. How would a boycott affect anything at all? You are still going to have tons of students who will meet the standards of the dress code, and who will be going to these bars while you are boycotting.
Third, I’m pretty sure a privately owned business can set whatever dress standards they want to, seeing as how they do own it. I mean, if I owned a bar and decided that only people wearing suits could get in, well then by God, only people wearing suits will be allowed in, even though it may hurt my business. And do you know why I could do that? Because it would be my bar, and I should be able to do what ever the hell I wanted to do with it! If you really want to go to Tigerland that bad, there’s a GAP right outside of LSU where you can purchase clothes that meet the standards.
When it’s all said and done, I don’t see how these boycotts can affect the bars of Tigerland. I also honestly hope that any level-headed man or woman, no matter if they are black or white, will realize that a private establishment has the right to set up any dress code it wants to. That’s why Americans have the freedom of choice, and if people don’t want to change the way they dress for a couple of hours, two or three times a week, to meet these regulations, then just don’t go to Tigerland.
Blair Edrington
Freshman — Political Science
Racism in dress codes undeniable
In response to Mr. Arnold’s “pity party” accusation referring to The Reveille article about discrimination in Tigerland: Mr. Arnold, I believe you and I both know that if you showed up Friday night in all-white shoes to any bar in Tigerland, you would be admitted without any questions.
Yes, private establishments should be able to regulate the dress and conduct of their patrons if they wish, however, it is undeniable that some of the policies enacted by local bars are targeted at a specific population, and they are backwards and descriminatory.
If you truly found racial discrimination despicable, I think you would be able to see the irony in the dress code policies at these local bars. I hardly think all-white shoes pose any danger to the patrons of these establishments.
Jacob Landry
Junior — Mass Communication and Poultry Science
Rebel against Res Life rules
This is a call for civil disobedience to all copyright haters, privacy advocates, and independent musician supporters alike. Together, we can fight Residential Life’s scare tactics on innocent, hard-working students.
I urge all of you to look into copyright-free media. Find artists that interest you and start downloading their work off of peer-to-peer networks. United, we can defeat Computing Services and ResLife by creating too many file transfers for their dictatorial monitoring system to work effectively. Big Brother shall not find the proverbial needle in the haystack.
We must do this in the masses for it to work against the capitalist pigs. To concentrate our efforts sevenfold, only download on Sundays. If you leave on the weekends, keep your computer running while downloading. Do this religiously, and the gods will smile upon you! The people united shall never be divided!
Disclaimer: For entertainment purposes only. Please do not break the law.
Joseph Morel
Junior — Political Science and International Studies