Overall, the biggest drawback I had on my lastest story, over Wittileaks, was who to talk to.
Of course, I spoke with the site's founders, and several of its members. But would interviewing faculty and staff really have much of an effect on the story. They can't join the group without invitation, and most probably don't even know the site exists.
So I kept my story at 3 sources for now. If there is some sort of faculty uproar after they discover the site via the Torch, then I'll write a piece on that.
One more note... the most interesting thing that I learned trhough this story was the prospect of a secret society or Greek "outing" of sorts with respect to their secrets. Could Wittileaks really put the Shifters in their place? Will the world finally know the truth? Doubtful, but there's still a chance.
Monday, January 31, 2011
2 Degrees from John Lennon?
It's interesting, the things you are exposed to in college.
No, I'm not talking about sex and drugs, those pretty much go without saying. I'm talking about the people.
Growing up in the places you and your friends inevitably called the middle of nowhere during your formative years, you don't meet many people that seem to make an impact on the "real world." The world of politics, entertainment, big house, five cars, etc.
And then you come to college, and you find yourself shaking hands with Joe Strummer's art teacher.
I had the chance to record guest speaker Derek Boshier's radio interview with Professor Fitz Smith the other day on WUSO. As I listened to him speak about hanging out with David Bowie, teaching Joe Strummer, and selling John Lennon his car (!), I couldn't help but sit back and listen with amazement. These were the people I worshipped as a teen (OK let's face it, I still do), and he's casually throwing around stories about bumping into them on the street.
The experience with Boshier really opened my eyes to the value of my college experience. Above all, it's made me realize that fame isn't so unattainable and pristine. Great things can come from people we lived next door to in Firesitne freshman year.
So, in closing, maybe Wittenberg is located in the middle-of-nowhere Ohio. Maybe it's not a Metropolitan city. But great things and great people can still stop through from time to time. So don't completely write it off.
No, I'm not talking about sex and drugs, those pretty much go without saying. I'm talking about the people.
Growing up in the places you and your friends inevitably called the middle of nowhere during your formative years, you don't meet many people that seem to make an impact on the "real world." The world of politics, entertainment, big house, five cars, etc.
And then you come to college, and you find yourself shaking hands with Joe Strummer's art teacher.
I had the chance to record guest speaker Derek Boshier's radio interview with Professor Fitz Smith the other day on WUSO. As I listened to him speak about hanging out with David Bowie, teaching Joe Strummer, and selling John Lennon his car (!), I couldn't help but sit back and listen with amazement. These were the people I worshipped as a teen (OK let's face it, I still do), and he's casually throwing around stories about bumping into them on the street.
The experience with Boshier really opened my eyes to the value of my college experience. Above all, it's made me realize that fame isn't so unattainable and pristine. Great things can come from people we lived next door to in Firesitne freshman year.
So, in closing, maybe Wittenberg is located in the middle-of-nowhere Ohio. Maybe it's not a Metropolitan city. But great things and great people can still stop through from time to time. So don't completely write it off.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Wittenberg's Tolerance (or Rather, Lack Thereof)
Anyone who doesn't think Wittenberg has a tolerance problem clearly doesn't get out much.
In fact, I often don't even have to leave my house to face these issues. Within my own groups of friends, I constantly find hints of homophobia, sexism, and, racism. Comments like "nobody likes him; let's face it, it's because he's the black guy" and "that's why we shouldn't vote for a black president" have been uttered in my presence, and, unfortunately, I did nothing to correct this ignorance. In my efforts to preserve a stable atmosphere, I bit my tongue and looked the other way.
In my 5 semesters at Wittenberg, diversity is the one thing that I've noticed that Witt doesn't do so well. African-American and international students on campus seem to band together, without much notice from other sections of the Witt community.
Moreover, Wittenberg has a negative view of the Springfield community, creating animosity between the city and the university. Why should Witt students have the right to complain about so-called "townies" at the bar? They were here in Springfield long before most students, and I'm sure many local residents will remain here long after any student's four- or five-year tenure at Witt.
So when I first heard about the racial message that was left on an African-American student's door last Monday, I can't say I was surprised. The general message that Witt students seem to promote is that being different from the majority (which somehow always amounts to upper- and middle-class heterosexual Caucasian people, even in the middle of Springfield, OH), you aren't welcome at Witt. And I'm willing to bet the "townies" weren't surprised, either. Most were probably upset, but I feel that this behavior is what the Springfield community has come to expect from Wittenberg.
So, in closing, I'm not happy with this reputation that Wittenberg has as an intolerant community. And from now on, biting my tongue won't be an option.
In fact, I often don't even have to leave my house to face these issues. Within my own groups of friends, I constantly find hints of homophobia, sexism, and, racism. Comments like "nobody likes him; let's face it, it's because he's the black guy" and "that's why we shouldn't vote for a black president" have been uttered in my presence, and, unfortunately, I did nothing to correct this ignorance. In my efforts to preserve a stable atmosphere, I bit my tongue and looked the other way.
In my 5 semesters at Wittenberg, diversity is the one thing that I've noticed that Witt doesn't do so well. African-American and international students on campus seem to band together, without much notice from other sections of the Witt community.
Moreover, Wittenberg has a negative view of the Springfield community, creating animosity between the city and the university. Why should Witt students have the right to complain about so-called "townies" at the bar? They were here in Springfield long before most students, and I'm sure many local residents will remain here long after any student's four- or five-year tenure at Witt.
So when I first heard about the racial message that was left on an African-American student's door last Monday, I can't say I was surprised. The general message that Witt students seem to promote is that being different from the majority (which somehow always amounts to upper- and middle-class heterosexual Caucasian people, even in the middle of Springfield, OH), you aren't welcome at Witt. And I'm willing to bet the "townies" weren't surprised, either. Most were probably upset, but I feel that this behavior is what the Springfield community has come to expect from Wittenberg.
So, in closing, I'm not happy with this reputation that Wittenberg has as an intolerant community. And from now on, biting my tongue won't be an option.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Drugs are inevitable on a college campus. That's no great insight or revelation, but I feel (as most of us probably do) that it needs to be said in order to move forward with the topic. College is traditionally the point in a person's life when he breaks free from the shackles of independent life and immediately begins making bad decisions.
And drugs are out there. And not just marijuana (is that even considered a drug anymore?). Harder drugs (generally defined as the ones that can actually kill you) are accessible on most college campuses if you look hard enough (I would assume Cedarville would probably be an exception, but who knows?).
The problem is not the will to experiment with these drugs. Curiosity is natural, especially for people in their late teens/early -20s. Drug abuse comes down to one problem: self-control. When people don't have any, they tend to develop dependencies. It's true for alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, etc. When students lose focus on their required tasks and replace duties with chemicals, problems arise.
Drugs are reasonable when managed. But the levels of self-control vary from person-to-person, and from drug-to-drug. I feel like I know my personal limits. I feel that there are people who can handle harder drugs than I can. And I know that there are people who can't meet my personal drug plateau. It's all a matter of will. Bottom line: if someone can manage his life while maintaining a steady drug routine, I say more power to him. But I certainly can't.
And drugs are out there. And not just marijuana (is that even considered a drug anymore?). Harder drugs (generally defined as the ones that can actually kill you) are accessible on most college campuses if you look hard enough (I would assume Cedarville would probably be an exception, but who knows?).
The problem is not the will to experiment with these drugs. Curiosity is natural, especially for people in their late teens/early -20s. Drug abuse comes down to one problem: self-control. When people don't have any, they tend to develop dependencies. It's true for alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, etc. When students lose focus on their required tasks and replace duties with chemicals, problems arise.
Drugs are reasonable when managed. But the levels of self-control vary from person-to-person, and from drug-to-drug. I feel like I know my personal limits. I feel that there are people who can handle harder drugs than I can. And I know that there are people who can't meet my personal drug plateau. It's all a matter of will. Bottom line: if someone can manage his life while maintaining a steady drug routine, I say more power to him. But I certainly can't.
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