The University has its fair share of game day traditions, from the guy who shows up in a hearse to munching on grass to girls that don’t wear boots wearing boots. Of all of the traditions, there is one that is more embarrassing and uncalled for than any others: fighting on the parade ground.
Almost every event involving alcohol carries a risk for physical violence, but the prevalence of fighting on game day is an embarrassment to the school and our state. As students at the flagship university of Louisiana, we proudly represent our state. On game days, however, we don’t do so hot.
Louisiana, and Baton Rouge in particular, is known as a place people love to hate. While a college kid tailgating can’t do much about the syphilis epidemic, crumbling infrastructure or budget crisis, they can represent the University in the way it deserves. Presenting ourselves as civilized sports fans who can handle our liquor and have a good time, is an easy start.
Growing up I was always told to remember who I am and whose I am. It was my grandma’s friendly reminder that I don’t just represent myself, I represent every group I am a member of whether that be family, school or church. As students of LSU, we need to remember that we carry responsibility for the image of our school and state.
Getting rowdy is all a part of Louisiana and the University’s charm. I love a good smack-talking session with a rival, yelling “tiger bait” at opposing fans and drinking more beer than is necessary just as much as the next Tiger fan.
What I don’t love is waking up to a flooded newsfeed about the latest fight that happened on the parade ground. It doesn’t take much looking to find videos of drunken fools knocking each other around while others emblazoned in purple and gold laugh, cheer and point their phones.
Students need to be vigilant in our disdain for this behavior, and then the behavior will stop. While it is impossible to stop all physical violence and be ahead of every situation, it is very much possible to frown upon this behavior as a whole. Stop sharing the posts. Stop telling the guy who broke someone’s face that it was “so sick.” Stop letting Greek letters separate you from others within the school community. We all go to the University, and we all love purple and live gold.
As college students, we are working toward being a part of a mere 6.7 percent of the world that has a college degree. Let’s make it look like we’re working hard to advance society, not like we still belong to a primitive one.
Breanna Smith is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
