2008 Woodie Awards
Letters to the Editor
Issue date: 4/18/07 Section: Editorials and Opinion
To the Editor: Re: "Students complain
of racial profiling at MSA event":
I have serious concerns with the way the
recent MSA "racial profiling" issue has
been portrayed by The TORCH as well as
other members of this university. Being a
minority myself, at first I took great concern
in the issue, but after reading past the
headline was appalled.
First of all, to assume that poor administrative
decisions on the part of Public
Safety can lead to racial profiling is irresponsible.
To accuse an institution of racial
profiling is an extremely serious accusation
that should be approached with caution.
The logic behind such a claim in this case
make very little sense: if The Department of
Public Safety uses metal detectors at an
event that is not in accordance to University
policy, then this accounts for racial profiling.
The most serious claim anyone could
make is that this was poor judgment on the
part of Public Safety and the administrators
should have made sure they apprehended
correct information. I understand that the
Student Life had correct information on
how many students were attending; therefore,
Public Safety is probably at fault for
misinformation.
Secondly, the article highlights three
cases where magnetometers were not used
at events. Spike Lee and Cornell West, to be
specific, are major figures in black and liberal
activism! Therefore, for Public Safety
to avoid metal detecting at those events
shows a lack of responsibility, if anything,
and not racial profiling.
Thirdly, at no point in the article did I
read about any of the MSA members being
improperly or rudely treated while being
scanned. I am lead to believe that the Public
Safety officers did not point out any particular
individual at the event. If there was
such activity, then I would consider looking
into the protocol of the department.
However, this is not the case.
of racial profiling at MSA event":
I have serious concerns with the way the
recent MSA "racial profiling" issue has
been portrayed by The TORCH as well as
other members of this university. Being a
minority myself, at first I took great concern
in the issue, but after reading past the
headline was appalled.
First of all, to assume that poor administrative
decisions on the part of Public
Safety can lead to racial profiling is irresponsible.
To accuse an institution of racial
profiling is an extremely serious accusation
that should be approached with caution.
The logic behind such a claim in this case
make very little sense: if The Department of
Public Safety uses metal detectors at an
event that is not in accordance to University
policy, then this accounts for racial profiling.
The most serious claim anyone could
make is that this was poor judgment on the
part of Public Safety and the administrators
should have made sure they apprehended
correct information. I understand that the
Student Life had correct information on
how many students were attending; therefore,
Public Safety is probably at fault for
misinformation.
Secondly, the article highlights three
cases where magnetometers were not used
at events. Spike Lee and Cornell West, to be
specific, are major figures in black and liberal
activism! Therefore, for Public Safety
to avoid metal detecting at those events
shows a lack of responsibility, if anything,
and not racial profiling.
Thirdly, at no point in the article did I
read about any of the MSA members being
improperly or rudely treated while being
scanned. I am lead to believe that the Public
Safety officers did not point out any particular
individual at the event. If there was
such activity, then I would consider looking
into the protocol of the department.
However, this is not the case.
Be the first to comment on this story