Due to its relative moderation during the Civil Rights Movement, The Auburn Plainsman has been judged more kindly by history than many other publications. I was pleased to see it adopt a similarly enlightened viewpoint recently about contemporary events.
The official student paper of my alma mater was so stricken by the senseless death of an unarmed teenager, the shocking inability of the local police force to prosecute the crime and the insanely irresponsible law which was the product of political pandering that it reached back to an old reliable when it chose who to vilify. The paper's editorial board and one of its columnists blamed outside agitators!
Never mind that the Rev. Al Sharpton was invited to speak at a rally by the victim's family several weeks after the tragedy and subsequent disturbing inaction by law enforcement, the strongest sentiment the paper felt was that someone who hasn't run for office in years shouldn't exploit tragedy for political gain.
Good to see journalists at such a young age learn the way to engage senseless tragedy. Shooting the messenger is something that should be taught right after the effective use of sarcasm.
John Varner
Class of '87
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
