Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Jan. 26, 2000, edition 1 / Page 7
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■Excellence Through Truth and Dedication”...S'mcQ 1948 Thomas M. Ruyle - Editor-In-Chief Lyndsey M. Bland - Managing Editor Martin J. Smiley - Advertising Director Heidi Bing - News Editor Megan O’Brien -A&E Editor Hugh Fisher - Sports Editor James Flint - Photo Editor Mai Hamrick - Copy Editor Hank McCauley - Webmaster Kevin Knight - Adviser Bill DiNome - Student Media Coordinator News Staff Writers: Allison Biggar, Paul Blackmore, Somer Stahl, Rachel Healy, Shane McConnel, Anna C. Broome A&E StaffWriters: Jeff Grissett, Tori Boone, Natasha Malinsky, Kristi Singer- The Scene, Rachel Cruz Sports StaffWriters: Kevin Farmer, Jon Page, Wes Melville, Amanda Breedlove, Rosa lysor Photographers; Dana Hurley, Kathryn Schley, Corey Accardo Layout/Production: Lisa Williams, Lindsay LaClair- Graphic Design/ Ads ■ Advertising Staff: Keith “Huck” Huxley, Kim Byrd, Adam Wright Disribution: Jeff Durham ^ (Manager), Angela Bjork, Lex Fennell The Seahawk is published by the students of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, as a source of news for the University and surrounding community. As a forum for free expression, The Seahawk and its staff operate with editorial freedom; the views contained within The Seahav^ are those of its staff and do not represent those of the University. l\/laterial in the paper is produced, selected, and edited by the editorial staff and writers of The Seahawk. Unsigned editorials represent the opinions of the editorial board. Signed edito rials are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of The Seahawk staff. Advertising content does not constitute an endorsement of the service by members of The Seahawk staff. The Seahawk is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press. Individual staff members are affiliated with the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Federation of Press Women. The Seahawk utilizes the Associated Press Newsfinder Service and Tribune Media Sen/ices for portions of content. OPINION/EDITORIAL Januat7 26,2000 • the Seahawk 1 Editorial Viewpoint... “Hurricane” Carter; A lesson in justice The audience that filled Kenan Au ditorium for Rubin “Hurricane” Carter’s lecture came despite the fact that the lecture was poorly publicized. In fact, the lecture was completely sold out. This is a sign that students and commu nity members are more aware and inter ested in university events than many give them credit for, and that they real ize that issues like capital punishment require thought and deliberation. Carter was charged with killing three white people on the flimsiest of evi dence. Initially Carter and John Artis, who was also charged, were released. Police even went as far as to say that they were never suspected. Alfred P. Bello, a local criminal and suspect in the murders gave the police a signed state ment that said he had seen them at the murder scene. On this evidence, and another statement from a dubious source, Carter and Artis were convicted. The prosecutor wanted to give the two the death penalty, but the court sen tenced them to three life sentences. Imagine being in prison for 20 years, completely innocent. Then imagine how many people have been wrongfully im prisoned, living and dying with the knowledge that someone else should have been there. How much worse is it when the so-called criminal was impris oned not just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but just for be ing the wrong color? A white person would probably not have been convicted for the same crime, with the same evi dence, as Carter and Artis. Although the events happened in the late 60’s and Carter was freed 17 years ago, these issues are still important and vital. They illustrate the difficulties in herent in our justice system and offer an object lesson of the dangers of unre servedly supporting the death penalty. It’s very easy to say that criminals are unable to reform, and that if someone is convicted, there was no reasonable doubt in the case, but often that just isn’t true. Carter’s story is the perfect ex ample of that. Students and faculty members at the lecture came even though there was little real publicity about the event. A few posters in the University Union, a notice in the ACE calendar, but not much else. It says something about Carter’s importance as a significant fig ure in recent history that so many people showed up. It was also a sign that stu dents are more concerned about current issues than many people believe and that Activities and Leadership office’s events, even those that are not well pub licized, can attract an audience when they offer something students find in teresting and relevant. Letter To The Editor Dear Editor: I am taking Media Ethics with Mr. Church. My letter is in regard to the tu ition hike that is being discussed at the university. It is understandable to raise the cost of tuition in order to offer com petitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain faculty. In my opinion, the reputation of a university is built upon the knowledge and respect of its faculty. However, I disagree with holding the state responsible for further financial support. I understand that this is a state- supported school, but somehow the uni versity must figure out ways to support itself. There must be a shared vision among the university and students, in which both work together to raise money. SGA President Patrick Gunn stated he is disappointed because edu cation isn’t high on the state agenda. (The Seahawk, January 12, 2000). Edu cation is important to our state govern ment. The problem is that every time there is a financial trouble, everyone looks to the state for help. The state sup ports fifteen other UNC schools. There is only so much help the state can provide. This is a growing university along with growing financial conflict. If we are to grow as a university we must ex pect these kinds of problems. This is a problem within the university that should be solved within the university. Jon Heafner LETTEIIS TO THE EDITOR POLICY TJm Seahawk encoumges all readers to sub- \ mt letters to the editorpr possMe publica-: /few. Please limit all cormspondence to 300 wonis.TheSediawkm(^edUke»rsforspcKe\ IheSe^tawkKserms the right to IkatkmcfcBty letter. Libelous, false, and mis- hadmg material wiling be ccmsideredfor pMice^on AM letters must be signed by 0te audtot letters to Ae editor atv^indivitbid qpimmsofiiweB^ionanddonamtxxsmnly i^^eathei^mkmsfiheSealumkm0or^ ^Umemty cfNor&i Cmolma at WMngkm. LemrseanbemdmuttedinpemmattheSem hawko^e, Umvetsity Ut^nmt205E; by tneilaTfwS&^iawkNem^ie^, 601 S. Coli kgeM mbningmNCimS; orbyetml Mxdim%hmAGm»
University of North Carolina Wilmington Student Newspaper
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Jan. 26, 2000, edition 1
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