Spring Break
The Daily OrangeOpinion
New TV station must be built quickly, more efficiently
Disbanding HillTV was the best action for Syracuse University to take during these tense times on campus, although the university must ensure that a restructured television studio springs up in HillTV's place as quickly as possible. The HillTV name will forever be synonymous with the insensitive content of its show "Over the Hill," content that offended and scared members of the university community.
Now is the time to take a stand
The recent events at HillTV and "Over the Hill" have exposed a serious problem that exists at our university. Racism and ignorance pervade our community, some of it blatant, most of it hidden explosively just below the surface. Ironically, all students have to write an essay on diversity to get into this institution.
Free speech must be protected
I have been thinking long and hard about the recent outpouring of emotion and outcry against the content of "Over the Hill" and have found myself dismayed about the campus' reaction. While I found the material to be offensive and crass, I was also disheartened to see many students and faculty members calling for the censorship and expulsion of the students responsible.
A lot of good going on at HillTV, too
As a member of HillTV, I would like to start out by saying that I am as shocked and horrified by what the members of "Over the Hill" put into their program. I think it was disgusting and their show was rightfully canceled. With that said, I plead with the members of this campus to no longer demand for HillTV to be disbanded.
Make this controversy bring change
Will anything really change? That's the question that should be asked as the HillTV controversy envelops this university in a haze of anger, hurt and resentment. While the producers of "Over The Hill" offer apologies like petulant children caught with their hands in the cookie jar, while SU officials scramble to conceal whatever blemish this incident has left on the university and while people who aren't directly affected or offended by the situation dismiss the coverage of it as "sensational," those who are new to Syracuse University should wonder if this is what the climate was like after the blackface incident that took place on this very campus a few years back.
Faculty need to consider their power
I am writing this letter as a Latina faculty member on this campus to share my anger and frustration with the most recent examples of racism, sexism and homophobia at Syracuse University. However, I do not only hold the students who produced this hate speech responsible, I also want to question the so-called intellectual climate that permitted it.
Response to yesterday's letter
In response to Tim Waterhouse's comment, I would like to address the following issues. There is a reason why groups are formed for specific audiences and, put simply ... who else is going to do it? Students like you? I think not. There's a reason why there are scholarships for specific races.
