The Daily Reveille
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WEB COMMENTS
As usual, our website, lsureveille.com, has been absolutely buzzing with reader comments. Check it out today, and let your voice be heard. Regarding Rob Landry’s sports column, “Tiger fans should pull for Auburn in Saturday’s Iron Bowl,” readers had this to say: “Except, Bama doesn’t realize it got it’s tooth knocked out in the first game. C’mon.. you know it felt good in that game... just think what it’ll feel like in the National Championship? Fun whipping on people you
know!.. You know?” -Anonymous
Opinion
“Wow!! I can’t believe you all just admit you’re scared to play Bama again. That’s a little pathetic.” -Anonymous Regarding Phil Sweeney’s opinion column, “‘No Shave November’ lauds masculinity, not for women,” readers had this to say: “To PB, I personally believe that there is no correlation to the amount a chick shaves to the amount she gets laid. I haven’t
shaved in about a year and before then I shaved very seldom and it hasn’t changed a thing for my dating career. Sure most guys prefer smooth skin to stubbles, and probably all guys, but I really really doubt that a dude is going refuse to seal the deal over some stubbles. Honestly the only reason the you never hear about girls complaining about their dudes gorilla backs or man bush is because if we were honest, we would hurt your poor little bro feelings because the way things really are is that men take minute criticism to the level that affects their entire feeling of
self worth. I’ve held my tongue many a time knowing that if I were to be honest it would result in me having to coddle an adult man, stroking his ego all night, until he felt better when there are many other worthwhile activities to be had. And who are you to single someone out to say that they have nothing better to do than to comment on an article when you just did the same thing. Also the world is definitely not some Lifetime movie but it is also not an episode of ‘Blue Mountain State.’” -Anonymous
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
“‘Sadly, my facial hair is patchy and my whiskers could only ever amount to something more akin to “pork chops.”’ Coming from someone who can actually grow a full beard I’d like to say you sir are a disgrace to No Shave November. If women want to not shave for a month I say let them go for it. It’s not our place to say what women can and can’t do.” -Anonymous
Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com
A BETTER PILL TO SWALLOW
Sorority’s portrayal of Huxtables should not be punished I’ve always conceded that laughter is the best medicine. By taking happenstance in stride, I usually place myself in a proverbial lawn chair to musingly observe my neighbors. Life is too short and brutal to make mountains out of molehills. Yet there are times when matters become too serious to simply remain a careless observer. Sobering words must be disseminated. Last Monday, it was reported that six University of Southern Mississippi sorority members were severely disciplined for attending a party as the Huxtables, the African-American sitcom family made famous by comedian Bill Cosby. According to USM dean of students Eddie Holloway, these six Phi Mu girls dressed in “blackface.” In a news release, Holloway stated, “Though it is clear that these women had no ill intent, it was also clear that they had little cultural awareness or competency, and did not understand the historical implication of costuming in blackface.” To compensate for their actions, these girls have been instructed to attend various cultural competency lectures and also meet with a group of USM’s AfricanAmerican student leaders. After a cursory glance, the girls’ actions may seem reprehensible. But if considered for more than a moment, the upper management of USM, including Holloway, has proven itself to be unforgivably incompetent. Not only did the girls not dress in blackface by representing the Huxtables, but insisting that they did so indicates that those in
charge of investigating the incidence have no idea what blackface is. Blackface is characterized by a very specific denotation, and the girls’ portrayal of Bill Cosby and the Huxtable family does not fit the definition. Historically, blackface was a Chris Freyder form of makeup Columnist used for minstrel show performances. This definition could definitely be expanded to include any costume that is used to mock and denigrate AfricanAmericans outside the context of a minstrel show. However, the six sorority members in question were not simply dressing as stereotypical African-Americans. They were masquerading as six individuals who happen to be African-Americans. The importance of the difference between these two concepts cannot be emphasized enough and has warranted similar depictions in mainstream media. Impressionist Frank Caliendo is known for his recurring impersonation of Charles Barkley on Fox NFL Sunday, and comedian Jimmy Kimmel periodically assumes his famous role as Karl Malone. These performances may be crass at times, but they do not fit the definition of blackface. As with these two comedians, the Phi Mu sorority girls were not attempting to characterize the entire African-American race, but were representing individual human beings, albeit fictional. If this idea is lost on
The Daily Reveille Editorial Board
Matthew Jacobs Chris Branch Ryan Buxton Marissa Barrow Sydni Dunn Devin Graham
Editor-in-Chief Associate Managing Editor Associate Managing Editor Managing Editor, External Media News Editor Opinion Editor
Holloway, then perhaps his failure to see past the Huxtables’ race is a form of racism greater than any enacted by the students he is punishing. The actions of USM’s disciplinary staff were deplorable and will possibly permanently besmirch the reputation of these six Phi Mu women. Even if these students are exonerated of the accusations against them, a shameful reputation will always cloud aspects of their lives. In any matter in which such allegations are made, thorough
investigations must be undertaken in order to ensure each involved party is given the correct discipline or recompense. I usually don’t find it my place to make such grave requests, but if matters are to be reconciled, Holloway should be relieved of his position as dean of students. USM’s handling of the situation was far too reactionary and reveals that its leaders are not competent enough to understand incidents that involve racial allegations. It is infuriating that the dynamics of race relationships in America are
still lost on such officials who hold so much power over the lives of the students they influence. Such ignorance only serves to propagate fear and misunderstanding in areas of the country that are still struggling with racial tension. Chris Freyder is a 21-year-old biological sciences senior from New Orleans. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_Cfreyder. Contact Chris Freyder at cfreyder@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
Editorial Policies & Procedures
The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, paper or University. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-26 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must have a contact phone number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing the original intent. The Daily Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor-in-chief, hired every semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
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Quote of the Day “Adversity is the first path to truth.” Lord Byron British poet Jan. 22, 1788 - April 19, 1824