The Red and Black

Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: Opinions

Blackout title insensitive, rude

The headline in Nov. 12's Red & Black, "Black Power," was very inappropriate. It would never be accepted if it were the other way around.

This double standard encourages racism toward non-blacks and in a world so sensitive to racial slurs I would have to ask why putting a phrase commonly related to anti-white sentiments is allowed.


CHRIS MARLATT
Sophomore,
Powder Springs
Pre-Business

Football players aren't children

Maggie Taylor's Nov. 12 letter, "Hurt player? Get on bent knee" is all well and good in sentiment, but she seems to forget that these are college athletes we're talking about.

There was a time, many years ago, that my teammates and I would drop to one knee when a player on the field was injured, too. We stayed down until Mommy hurried onto the field, shoving the coach out of her way, all in an effort to make sure little Johnny's skinned knee wasn't worthy of a hospital visit. The game would go on, and afterward we'd have orange slices and juice and drive home in a minivan.

And then I grew up. Our Bulldogs are grown up, too. They're fierce, they're tough and, yes, they are going to knock some opponents on their butts when they get the opportunity.

Should they throw themselves prone on the field to demonstrate their sorrow for the monstrous hit they just imposed? No. Because I'll bet they love the feel of that big hit - they live for it.

If the downed player is truly injured, the best thing to do is back away and let the trained medical professionals do their job.

Be respectful and be a good sport. Even help the dude up if you feel like it. But there's no need to revert to the mentality of a 10-year-old.


ALEX SZALWINSKI
Sophomore, Marietta
Risk Management

In drought, let's work, not pray

Let's face the facts here. We're in a serious drought. Now, we could do something about it - we could find ways to conserve water, especially by not washing cars or watering lawns.

Or, if we're not willing to do anything useful, we could try our governor's plan - we can pray for more rain.

That's right, Gov. Sonny Perdue held a prayer service Tuesday for rain. Setting aside the fact that our state constitution forbids promoting any religion or another, the governor wasted taxpayer dollars - on cameras, set- up and basic support for the event - and it wasted time. Time that could be used on something constructive.

Of course, it's forecast to rain on Wednesday as it is - but I'm sure Perdue will claim credit for God and for himself if it does.

Two hands hard at work do more than two thousand in prayer clasped. Let's be serious here and actually do something helpful by using less water.


NICK CHURCH
Sophomore,
Peachtree City
History

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