Varsity shooting story insensitive
I am writing in reference to the article concerning the shooting at The Varsity early Friday morning. It is a great tragedy to see such a young man murdered because of conflict. The article states despite the incident happening so close to campus, students did not seem “fazed,” and it was only considered to be a “personal” matter.
Upon reading such statements, I became greatly offended. I personally thought the wording of the article and its interviews were highly disrespectful to James Allen’s family and those affected by the shooting. Being that some believe the shooting was only a “personal” matter, shows how inconsiderate someone can be!
If it were just a “personal” matter, why is the article published in a public newspaper? Once the gunman was allowed on public grounds in front of the public hangout, it became a public concern. If one views the concern as simply a “personal” matter, does he/she also view the past serial killings as a personal matter? I mean the serial killer has his personal, inner conflict to explain why he is on such a killing spree! Why should we look at the area shooting any differently?
Of course the shooting could have happened at any location and at any time, but [Markelle] Palambo’s interview conveys an inconsiderate attitude. Palambo’s interview shows how unconcerned she is about her surroundings. “There’s only so much you can do,” Palambo said. Would she view the shooting differently if it would have occurred again on the night she attended the Varsity? I imagine so!
What if Allen’s family and friends read the article in The Reveille? I can not imagine how they would feel upon reading the inconsiderate, not to mention disrespectful, article.
Christin Young
Freshman — Psychology
Near-campus death should faze students
When you think of violence and Baton Rouge, the first thing people tend to associate this with is the serial killer. After this mass murderer strike we, as LSU students and citizens of the Baton Rouge area, were bombarded with safety tips and assured this area is the safest it’s been in years.
Yet, another college student is killed in Baton Rouge minutes off campus. I was shocked and disappointed to read the front-page article titled “Shooting mars local landmark” in the Jan. 27 issue of The Reveille and somewhat concerned to think this person may have been able to bring a gun into The Varsity.
Where is all that heightened security we’ve been hearing about when you really need it? Like the article said, it did not seem to faze the students at all. Are they crazy? The article described a student as not worried because everyone there seemed “nice and easygoing,” but as we’ve learned from the serial killer, who has been described as what seemed to be a nice guy, you never should trust someone you don’t know. My sincere condolences go out to James Allen’s family.
Carrie DeVries
Freshman — Mass Communication
Promised safety measures missing
I have been living in Baton Rouge cautiously for the past six months, but due to the realistic threat of a wicked serial killer roaming and striking throughout the surrounding region. Now, with four innocent women victimized, tension and frustration rises to new levels. It is even more disappointing not to see any of the safety changes promised by the University to be evident.
At the height of the serial killer madness, more policemen were vowed to be patrolling around campus. Not once have I see this to be true, and in fact, the only rare sighting I have of a uniformed official is that of the traffic officer. Landscaping was changed, true, but lighting at night is still nothing to be bragged upon.
LSU is the biggest university in the state with a substantial enrollment. Considering two of the four murders happened just minutes from the Student Union, it would be comforting to think more in the way of safety precaution for all students and faculty would have been done other than a few bushes snipped. By making self-defense classes too expensive for many young women living paycheck to paycheck, the most important purpose is defeated — saving innocent individuals from a crazed murderer.
Instead of treating an already overpaid chancellor like a king, LSU should put its money and efforts into fulfilling promises for the complete safety for all at LSU.
Rhonda Hollen
Freshman — Mass Communication
Highlight all campus minorities
This letter is in regard to the minority article in the Jan. 23 paper. As a minority myself, Hispanic, I’m glad to see The Reveille is concerned with representing all of LSU’s student body. For too long, many groups have been neglected. There are many minorities who people do not know about or understand.
But to represent all minority groups fairly, “the minority spotlight” cannot just be placed on one group. I liked Travis Detillier’s response in Friday’s paper about the “Minority Report,” be it weekly or monthly. Having a section or column to explain more about minorities would work well. Along with traditional Anglo celebrations, minorities also celebrate different holidays, customs and celebrations. Having a section devoted to minorities would better explain the customs that might seem strange to others and also educate the entire LSU campus, students and teachers.
It’s important when covering the topics to cover the real message, which is why the event or custom is important to the community. I commend The Reveille for taking action and realizing the need to represent everyone.
Nicole Rios
Freshman — Mass Communication
Crosses represented lost lives, not faith
First of all, I am Catholic, not that this should have ANY weight on the subject. Mr. Broussard made an assumption Friday. Personally, I don’t care for his opinion of my faith or other denominations; the crosses are inconclusive to religion. This memorial isn’t about “damnation.” It’s a motion to LSU to wake up to the reality that with every cross, there is a child dead and a mother wounded. Abortion is a double-edged sword.
Crosses line highways to commemorate lost lives. Should we apply Mr. Broussard’s comments here, the idea this symbol is being used to spread a message of “hellfire and brimstone” is an absurd assertion. The cross is, if not universal, a national symbol for a grave. If we had placed 1.2 million whips in the ground in 1860 with a sign reading “Everyday … X2” to represent slaves in the lower South, we would have gotten a similar response. Today, it would be seen as a harsh but honest, moving display.
If Mr. Broussard truly is concerned about pro-life groups, he would help SFL instead of insulting them and would find out more about THIS pro-life group instead of generalizing. The pro-life agenda has been tainted by some very wrong people. We look to correct that by concentrating on the problem, not the abortion. Women need a place to feel safe and accepted that can help her through her pregnancy and give her REAL choices, not a sales pitch. Society needs to change the stigma placed upon young unwed mothers.
I think if the crosses WERE being used as a symbol of Christianity, the assumption is right that we should include all symbols. Perhaps next year we could put out thousands of infant coffins instead, and then no one’s faith would be offended.
Emily Clancy
Students For Life
Senior — Landscape Architecture