OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR
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Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - Page 5
Opinions Contact — Bill Rix, staropinion@txstate.edu
THE MAIN POINT
Stand up, speak up
T
he 1950s is often referred to as the “wonderful years.”
The amazement of this decade is detailed in venerable books like The Catcher in the Rye and is heard through musicians like Perry Como and Frank Sinatra. The glamour of this time shines in glossies of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. A cursory glance reveals it was a spendthrift, golden time for the U.S., but the pain of these years — with the truth hiding behind the records and Hollywood blockbusters — is revealed in texts like Malcolm X and heard through voices similar to Martin Luther King’s. The reality of this time in American history is one seldom talked about. The big cars, houses in verdant neighborhoods and “I Love Lucy”-style living conditions were available only to the privileged class, those upper crust white families who had the means to afford the sought after living conditions. For blacks, however, these wonderful years meant something else entirely. Whites used the blood and sweat of black Americans to build economic empires. Many black citizens languished in poverty shackled in the South by brutal, unceasing racism. It is nothing short of astounding such overt racism seen in the ’50s still exists — thrives — even in the South. The events leading up to the Jena 6 controversy showcase the unbelievable hatred still alive and well in an era seemingly stuck in a perpetual era of bigotry and unbridled, unchecked hatred. To civilized, conscious citizens of the world, the incidents in Louisiana are deplorable. In a time when man is busy sending spacecraft to observe Mars and endeavoring to erase cancer, one must stand back in sheer awe when a group of white students hangs nooses from a tree to intimidate their black classmates. Is this really, in 2007, indicative of the progress being made? Has nothing changed since the colonists first shipped millions of blacks from the Dark Continent? Roy Breithaupt, LaSalle Parish school system superintendent, dismissed the nooses as an “adolescent prank,” a phrase showing the fantastic depth of the psychological and mental environment of unadulterated hate some in the South embody. The University Star views these actions and statements with a sort of numb sadness. The surrealism of the events is almost too unbelievable. To those dedicated and embroiled in the struggle of taking out the systems of hate in the South, whose tireless efforts bent on tearing down the centuries-old institutions of hatred leave them dumbstruck after events like the Jena 6, The Star encourages you not to lose sight in the human rights struggle. Make no mistake — human rights are at stake here. Civil rights are still a dream to those who have yet to achieve basic human respect.
MEAGAN SINGLETARY Star Columnist
Meagan Singletary Star Columnist
Jena 6 controversy highlights society’s dark side
The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University-San Marcos.
Julie Sheah/Star illustration
Intersection of justice, journalism causes hazy representation of news By Kia Makarechi Daily Bruin (UCLA) LOS ANGELES — When “Dateline NBC” reporter Chris Hansen confronted pedophiles on “To Catch a Predator,” viewers watched as 23 men gave pathetic excuses for their behavior before being cast as society’s “bad guys” and being put behind bars. Or so they thought. ABC’s “20/20” news magazine recently featured a biting expose on “Dateline’s” biggest failure: They filmed a Murphy, Texas, sting in such a negligent manner none of the men featured on the show could be convicted. The show’s final suspect, a local district attorney, committed suicide when the show’s producers directed police to take their hunt to his house. “Predator” had been hailed as the new face of investigative reporting — pushing journalism into new frontiers of modern, aggressive and honest programming. But this incident highlights some major problems in the still-emerging relationship between investigative journalism and criminal justice. Police should make all efforts to ensure 100 percent of the work they do on film is necessary. In this particular case, the men had already committed the crime of soliciting a minor for sex when they engaged in lewd instant message conversations. All the tackling
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suspects, pointing guns not only at suspects but at other officers acting in confusion and all of the Chris Hansen segments were for show, for entertainment. Additionally, the police must control the handling of any suspects no matter the cost. “Dateline” signed a contract with Perverted Justice, an organization supplying the decoys who became the would-be victims. It was the organization that identified the suspects and kept records (many of which were incomplete) of the online conversations. Since the evidence was spotty, entrapment could not be ruled out and the men were freed. Finally, reporters must adhere to the ethical codes governing journalism. The Washington Post’s Standards and Ethics maintain its reporters will “not misrepresent their identity” while “gathering news.” In the “Predator” series, Hansen often waited to identify himself as a reporter until the end of his “interviews.” As the cameras were all hidden, these men could have thought they were talking to the child’s father or any other man in the household. As such, their confessions and comments are not admissible in court. These self-incriminations were violations of the Fifth Amendment, and theoretically, the pedophiles could sue for the damages their reputations have incurred. Pedophilia is certainly a pressing issue — not only in America, but specifically in West Los Angeles. Selfproclaimed pedophile Jack McClellan was arrested
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on the University of California, Los Angeles campus just weeks ago. According to the Megan’s Law sex offender registry, there are at least four other convicted pedophiles living in Westwood. And in Beverly Hills, two pedophiles live one block away from Beverly Vista Middle School, in the immediate vicinity of both a church and a temple. No matter the value of the cause or the possible efficiency coming with having a media giant finance an operation, there must be concrete boundaries between what NBC claims to be “cutting-edge journalism” and cut-and-dry police work. There are many laudable journalistic endeavors merging media and government forces. Most notably, the viewpoint of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan has been brought to TV and newspapers around America, resulting in fresh, more candid reporting. Interestingly, it seems absurd to even think of reporters in war zones doing the job of military commanders. So “Predator” is not only engaging television, but also a sad comment on what it takes to capture America’s attention. The show has taken the formula “Cops” created years ago and not only added a disturbing, sexual twist, but distorted the reality of law enforcement. To undermine the legal foundations regarding both criminal and media law in order to make 23 men register as sex offenders is ultimately a regression. Justice cannot come at the cost of democratic law.
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Bitch. Virtually every woman has been called this nasty word at one time or another. Whether it is because you’ve done something that might warrant it or you just said things people didn’t particularly care to hear, being called something other than your name can be hurtful and often shows a lack of maturity on the part of the person doing the name calling. Before you begin to agree too strongly that men’s use of this word to refer to women is despicable, please realize you aren’t innocent victims in this matter. We have all used this charming little euphemism to refer to other females. Everyone knows this word has a negative connotation, but my question is: Why is it used so frequently to describe headstrong women? Why is a woman who speaks her mind automatically the b-word while a man who does the same is praised for “having balls?” I have had first-hand experience with this dilemma. I have never been one to be afraid to say what I’m thinking and it’s often given people the wrong idea about me. (It’s gotten me in some trouble, too). Instead of crying about it, I wonder about it. I came to a conclusion upon examining instances in which someone called me a bitch. I’m either an awful, mean-spirited person who lives for the satisfaction of angering people, which is doubtful, or I think saying what needs to be said, even when it’s not the popular thing to do, is worth it. If it’s important, poignant and relevant I think it deserves to be heard. Why is this such a bad thing? If I were a man, would people react the same way when I said something they didn’t agree with, or would they politely disagree and yet think me brave and fearless for holding fast to my convictions? Sadly, I think more often than not it’s the latter. There is a cruel double standard at work here. Qualities men are encouraged to possess — being outspoken, bold and refusing to back down — women are ridiculed for. Women possessing these qualities are thought to be arrogant and to not know their place. They are told they should stop behaving like men. For some reason, there are people who like their women like they like their doormats: timid, meek and readily available for walking over. What is it about a strong woman that scares people so much? There probably is not much one can do to change people’s perspectives on this matter. No matter how many articles are written on this topic, the fact will remain not many are capable or willing to deal with a powerful woman. My advice, though, is to never back down. Don’t let what some people say or think about you keep you from expressing what’s on your mind. No, I’m not advocating speaking without thinking first or saying whatever stupid thing pops into your head. Words are far more powerful than they are given credit for and they can cut to the quick. However, holding back something that needs to be heard is censoring yourself and believe me, there are plenty of people paid to do that for you, so don’t waste your time. So ladies — next time someone calls you a bitch for being out-spoken and standing up for what you believe, simply smile and say, “Why, thank you.” The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a distribution of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright September 26, 2007. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.