Shame on You

If you haven't heard of the fiasco that happened at Fairfield University this past semester, click here. Catch up, read up, then come back. And we'll chat (if you can still formulate coherent thoughts after your brain eeks out your ears from the utter stupidity of what you're about to read).

Finished? Good. Let's get into it.

Coming from the perspective of a high school newspaper editor-turned college newspaper reporter-turned college newspaper copy editor, I would have never, ever in a million years published this piece. First of all, it's revolting. The language used to describe a "one-night stand" is so degrading, so offensive to women, I can hardly formulate words. Second of all, the topic is inane. The "She Said" sister column was so bland and poorly written that no one bothered to pay it any attention. This topic has no business in a college newspaper. Where's the news? The journalism? It's fluff, pure and simple. Not that there's anything wrong with a little fluff, but this was mind-numbing. Whose idea was it?

It goes without saying that the campus, and the surrounding community, burst a blood vessel when this article made print. All of a sudden, harassment claims were being filed, protests were accruing all over campus, and damage-control hit an all-time high. The editorial staff apologized for the lewdness of the article, but stood on their right to free speech.

Here's my personal opinion. Free speech is extremely important. It's what drives every print/media/news organization here in America and is, without a doubt, one of the most beloved and treasured rights we have as citizens.

It's also a scapegoat.

For me, freedom of speech does not cover Chris Surette's offensive and horrific article. I can see where some students felt harassed by the content. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, and if this is his, I can't tell him he's wrong. But when you print that opinion, using that kind of language, in a Catholic, private university's newspaper--now I can tell you that you're wrong. That was the wrong avenue for such a column. You want to run your mouth, brag about your conquests--go right ahead...somewhere else. Get a LiveJournal, a Blogspot, whatever floats your boat. Keep that nastiness out of the student paper.

However grossed out I am by Surette's piece, I'm more disappointed in The Mirror's editors; that column never should have left the cutting-room. As a copy editor, I never would have edited that piece for publication. I would have informed my editor of how offended I was, and discouraged her/him from publishing it. I'm baffled by the thought-process of the staff. They messed up, big time.

The issue was eventually settled, and the He Said/She Said columns were disbanded. While this was an appropriate and smart move, I think it came a little too late. Shame on you.