2008 Woodie Awards
Letters to the Editor Articles
Explanation of Jena Six
In September 2006, sat under a tree unoffically reserved for the high school's white students in Jena, La. The administrators advised the student to sit where he wanted. The next day, two nooses were hanging from the "white" tree. Although three white students were implicated and the principal advised expulsion, the white superintendent overruled him dismissing the event as a non-racially motivated "boyish prank.
Jena Six commentary ignores injustice
I did not care much for the article, "Media ignore other side of Jena Six controversy." When I first began to read it, the author made it sound like there was a whole other side to the Jena Six story that was left untold. After reading the complete article, I felt a little upset because I feel what was written could not be entirely true.
Commentary could have used more unbiased research
I have some problems with the article, "Media ignore other side of Jena Six controversy," that was published in The Journal. I appreciate the idea of trying to understand all sides of the controversy. However, I feel like the authors overlooked very important issues pertaining to the Jena Six story in their attempt to disprove the supposed existence of a "bad white man, black victim" scenario in Jena, La.
Media fueled fire to Jena Six
I do agree with the journalists about the editorial, about how they are trying to tear open old wounds left over from the not-too-distant past. Some of the fines that the judge handed out were a little harsh. Something that caught my eye was that they were charging Bailey with theft of a firearm, second-degree robbery and disturbing the peace.
There is no way to defend town's racist attitudes
This article was meant to persuade people that this incredibly serious case is being blown out of proportion; ironically, it did just the opposite to me. The description of the case alone is enough to depict this article as worthless. I would first point out that the article claims that the media is portraying the town of Jena as racist when it is not.
Justice is the main issue of Jena Six
After reading the article, "Media Ignores the other side of Jena 6 controversy" by Kirk Watkins and Anthony Sodd, I felt as if this article ignored the heart of the controversy, which is justice for all. I appreciate the fact that both sides of the story were heard.
Bañes lived sheltered life in lala-land
First and foremost, I would like to commend and congratulate Bañes on the naive life he lived prior to his move to St. Louis. Bañes wrote that the first time he became aware of racism against himself was when he was 18, his freshman year. This is an incredible feat.
An open letter to Lanz Bañes
Bañes, In regards to Saint Louis still sucking: You were standing at the MetroLink station waiting for someone, with a camera around your neck. I assume you were looking around, seemingly confused. You are also from the Philippines. If I were to inquire from someone that looks like a tourist, as you did - a person of a somewhat-Asian descent, holding a camera, looking around - I would probably second-guess his fluency also.
Focus on more important issues in commentary
Dear Bañes, On behalf of St. Louis, and most people that your rantings annoy, no one asked your opinion (again), and no one cares (again). Perhaps you should stick with what you are good at, and write more riveting stories about soil quality or where Danceline has to frolic this week.
Bias should be left out of Bañes commentary
I appreciated the (unintentional, I'm guessing) irony in Bañes commentary in the most recent Journal. In it, he describes an encounter he had at a MetroLink station with a woman and her children. Bañes reports that the woman asked him a question about train schedules and, when he hesitated before responding, asked him if he spoke English.
President Meyers is closed-minded
President Meyers, I have something to say about your smoke-free campus proposal. Back off. First of all, your proposal is unenforceable. You don't have enough manpower to enforce it. You don't have enough student cooperation to enforce it. I won't cooperate.
President Meyers ignores health of all students
Recent articles regarding the behavior of President Meyers have been nothing short of enraging! As your readers know, he is formulating an edict to make our campus smoke free citing the health benefits and recent movements of hospital campuses as support for his decision.