IF THIS University is subjected to yet another Cavalier Daily column that points out the "unfairness" of some of the fliers posted around Grounds, I may just be sick. It is far from necessary for multiple columnists to state how unfair the fliers hung around Grounds were to opinion writers. The fliers have been down for over a week, so get over it. The purpose of the fliers was greater than bashing opinion columnists, and many opinion writers clearly missed the point.
Granted, no one really wants brightly colored fliers concerning their character posted around some of the most prominent areas on Grounds, and no, this may not seem like a "fair" instance at all. But what really isn't fair is the ridiculous misrepresentation of minority viewpoints in The Cavalier Daily. What isn't fair is that one of the few minority writers in the opinion section of The Cavalier Daily - 15 of the 18 writers are white - made many claims about the sentiment of black students at this school without precedence or experience. What isn't fair is the belittling of concerned students' efforts to reveal covert racism by comparing them to wannabe Julian Bonds. What is and isn't fair could be discussed for an entire column.
But in all fairness to the people who posted those fliers, did anyone consider their purpose or intent? Perhaps it is "fair" to make assumptions about the fliers based on feeling and not fact. Do people really feel that angry black students at the University have nothing better to do with their time than attempt to embarrass opinion columnists? Apparently this is the case. However, if you wrote a column and you got it published, you had better be prepared to see your words quoted elsewhere. There is no justification to be upset when comments you may no longer be proud of are reprinted for all to see.
Indeed, the fliers posted on Grounds were conspicuous, bold and forthright. But this is what was needed to catch people's attention and recognize that, indeed, racism still is an important topic of discussion. The fact that this was done anonymously has no bearing on the significance of the fliers. Opinion writers have contact information listed with their columns, pictures and e-mail addresses. But that does not make a bigger statement than anonymity. It is the columnist's responsibility to be associated with his or her work, but it is no one else's obligation.
Even still, columnists don't have to respond to their e-mail. Then what is a person to do? No one should be expected to badger columnists on the way to class, look up their phone numbers to call or show up at their houses. Sounds just a tad bit stalker-ish, but these are the measures some columnists apparently suggest.
Besides, the fliers were purposely faceless. A face would distract from the objective of the fliers. For whatever reason, columnists have latched on to the fact that there was no face to the fliers and are using this as a distraction from the fliers' message.
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The fact is that it makes no difference who was responsible for putting up those fliers. "Who?" is of no importance to the issues at hand. Stop being so concerned with finding out who has purchased flourescent paper in the recent weeks. Stop fussing incessantly about "unsigned fliers attacking columnists" ("Fair play," April 3).
The constant criticism of the fliers on campus only further ruins attempts to get to true dialogue. The context and implication of the criticism just points the finger back at black students, even though the fliering was not some collective endeavor on behalf of all blacks at the University. Truly, the content of the fliers was a bit harsh, but in all honesty, it sparked some very needed discussion. They were clearly successful when, though many did not see the fliers that were up for two or three days, members of The Cavalier Daily have continued to regurgitate the same tired complaints about them.
Clearly, more than one opinion columnist had their feelings hurt over the fliers, but that is just too bad. My feelings get hurt each time I open up my University paper and read columns claiming that I am not truly a part of this community because of an affirmative action policy. My feelings get hurt each time I have to put up with racist comments that people across Grounds and beyond read as the word-for-word truth. Buck up and handle it - black students have to deal with it on a regular basis.
Face the music, guys. Those fliers were provocative for a reason. So many of you have laid claim to their obstruction of true dialogue, but get over it - they were put up, they were taken down and we still have not resolved these issues. Stop trying to find a way to place a finger of shame upon the black community. If you truly want to help race relations progress at the University, stop using the fliers as an excuse to share the blame.
(Amey Adkins is a Cavalier Daily viewpoint writer.)
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