As the cold wind blows across Raleigh and the yuletide season begins — I find myself writing to you today from my office in beautiful Miami overlooking Biscayne Bay and the city’s downtown skyline. Instead of dealing with the hypocrisy of dead week, I decided to skip classes this week entirely and spend some time in the sun. “Way to stick it to the man Andrew!”
It’s funny, every time I come to Miami I run into someone who was a subject of one of my recent columns. And usually my comments about those individuals are not necessarily positive — call it fate I guess. Last week I spoke about Butch Davis’ exorbitant salary increase. The UNC-Chapel Hill football coach and his giant championship ring sat a few rows in front of me on the plane.
A little less than a year ago I wrote a column predicting Athletics Director Lee Fowler’s pending job termination. Obviously my prediction never came true and Fowler still has his job; but it was interesting confronting Fowler on the plane and him asking me if I was “trying to run him out of town.” A note to both Davis and Fowler or anyone else I write about in this illustrious publication: I’m more than happy to give up my column space to allow you an unfiltered response. And no coach Fowler, I was not trying to run you out of town.
Although I have retreated to warmer climates for a couple of days, preparations are being made back in Raleigh for the greatest party of the year: Naughty Clause. Hope to see you there.
Speaking of being naughty, it’s been almost a month since a 10-inch toilet paper noose was found hanging in a bathroom stall in the remote Sullivan Shops building. In his initial announcement to the campus community, Chancellor James Oblinger said “We want to resist the temptation to overreact to what appears to be an isolated incident. This could be someone’s idea of a prank or it might constitute a crime. In either case, it is inappropriate. This is an act that has become symbolic of racial hatred.”
Although the Chancellor did not want the campus to “overreact” I feel we can easily say there has been plenty of response to the situation. Also, although the “investigation” continues, I think it is safe to say that the incident, either driven by hatred or humor, doesn’t constitute a crime.
I am not sure why the administration doesn’t just come out and say this to the campus community. Perhaps they are unable to handle the fallout of such a revelation. Displaying symbols, however despicable they are, is an expression of free speech. The United States Supreme Court recognizes universities as marketplaces of ideas where speech is given greater protection than it is in the general public. As Oblinger has said, “If you find a topic or manner of speech disturbing, you always have the right to respectfully disagree and walk away.”
If you disagree with me, feel free to toss this paper into the trash –although recycling is preferred. Or use the paper to wrap a present.
Happy Holidays!
Send Andrew holiday wishes about his column by e-mailing [email protected].
