This week, a video of anti-racism demonstrators angrily denouncing journalists surfaced and went viral. Photographer Tim Tai, a Missouri student freelancing for ESPN, was trying to document the happenings on campus when demonstrators and administrators used "some muscle" to prevent Tai from doing his job.
"I have a job to do," Tai told protestors. "We don't care about your job," they replied.
Why? In the middle of a movement, in the middle of making progress for you and your peers, you seek to keep out the people who can relay your story to America and to the world? It makes no sense.
Tai, during the video, was trying to document a small tent city that students had set up on the campus quad - a public space. The group that started the movement for change on campus, Concerned Student 1950, did not want reporters near the encampment. The group went so far as to post signs around that quad that read "No Media."
What good is it to voice your cause as a fight for rights when you deny the rights of others at the same time?
Students reportedly wanted to be left alone, to hide from the media, after placing themselves in the nation's spotlight. They were afraid of being targeted. I've been afraid on Auburn's campus before. Possible shooting threats, students being abducted and raped, bomb threats, I've sat through my fair share.
When you're in a situation like that in Missouri, you should think about what you're engaging in, because it could take a wrong turn. Any situation that involves demonstrating, or protesting, can take a wrong turn.
When it does, will you be there? If you are and you resort to shutting the media out, keeping them from doing their jobs, who will know?
Without the media, whatever progress you're trying to make is halted. It may be noted, but quickly forgotten. Photographers, reporters, writers - they are all there to document what's happening. If no one is there to document, how will the news be spread? If no one is there to document, who will remember?
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.
