Letter from the Editor
Dear readers,
In the April issue, we published a commentary piece, “The evolution of prejudice” with n***** in it that prompted a variety of responses. Per the newly re-instated editorial board, all responses are being published in this issue. Please see the following pages for the responses.
Additionally, we are choosing to re-print the article to the left from The Spokesman Recorder to provide background information for readers that may not have had the opportunity to read the April issue and participate in events that followed that publication.
"The evolution of prejudice" was placed under the commentary bar, which clearly states, "Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. All other material represents the opinion of the authors... The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of any department or college, the university, the state university system, the student body, or The Metropolitan."
We apologize to those that were hurt and offended by the commentary. We never intended to hurt and offend anyone.
The piece was published NOT as a racist attack but as an honest effort to discuss a person’s own journey toward transformation. There was not malicious intent on behalf of the author or The Metropolitan. The newspaper was simply trying to present a different, albeit unpopular point of view.
As educated people, we can choose to consider, challenge or ignore the author’s viewpoint. How are we honoring the first amendment by publishing only what is comfortable to us? Are we not infringing on others right to free speech?
In hindsight, we would agree that if we had replaced or removed n***** and re-arranged the commentary a bit, it would have been a more thoughtful piece that might have prompted a positive response.
After the April issue was published, our papers were removed from the stands. The Student Senate passed a motion to freeze our funds, however; the funds weren’t actually frozen. The Student Senate provided us a list of demands in order for our funds to be available which included removing "The evolution of prejudice" from our online version due to its sensitive nature, posting an apology and meeting with President Bradshaw and concerned students. The Metropolitan met all of the demands.
Additionally, The Metropolitan re-instated the editorial board, which will provide guidance on troublesome issues, bring more diversity to the paper by helping to get more people involved and suggesting topic ideas.
The Anti-Racism Task Force and the African American Student Association encouraged the Metropolitan to have a greater representation of the diverse Metropolitan State University community in the newspaper. The Metropolitan welcomes articles, commentary and signed letters to the editor from the entire university for the upcoming and future issues.
Additionally, all student groups have benefited from and will continue to enjoy a Carte blanche offer for us to provide news, commentary and/or ad space. The deadline for the July/August issue is Monday, July 3, 2006. We welcome all contributions.
Christina Thury
Editor
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