Newspapers / Brevard College Student Newspaper / Sept. 10, 2014, edition 1 / Page 4
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Page 4 Opinion The Clarion | September 10, 2014 Apple fest or apple mess? By Ce’Ara Cannon staff Writer A wise woman in my life once told me “that ignorance of a few can have a tremendous impact on the many,” This resonates strongly after a seemingly cheerful fundraising event for breast cancer turned into a brawl. With the recent events of Ferguson and other similar instances, racial tensions and debates are high. So reading another story about hate crimes and the mistreatment of a person of color is probably not at the top of everyone’s list of daily tasks. I can admit to falling into the dangerous trap of desensitization when it comes to these types of stories because we see them in the news so often. I had become so complacent and normalized to the tragedies happening right outside my door. But after twenty short years of life, I was abruptly shaken out of my complacency and charged to take a stance. Saturday, Aug. 23, I began my Saturday like any normal, nocturnal, twenty-something-year- old does, scolding the sun rays peeking through the blinds. But today would be different. Today I would celebrate my newly breast cancer surviving mother at an event raising money for a breast cancer organization that helps people make ends meet, so that they can focus on their health. Today would be good, or at least that’s what I thought as I pulled myself out of bed.Today would be empowering. As my family and I are driving into the little town outside of Greensboro, North Carolina, made mostly of tobacco farms and back dirt roads, it was easy for me to soak up the serenity that such simplicity brings. But what I neglected to survey a little closer were the Confederate flags hung all across the town like Christmas lights on a tall pine tree. Up until that day, I had always defended the Confederate flag with the optimistic thought that the lovely southern state that 1 called home wasn’t still stuck in the radical views of our past. So as my mother spoke her concern about the flags, I calmly reassured her that it was just southern pride and there was nothing to be worried about, but unfortunately that statement doesn’t apply to every flag hanging up. But nonetheless, we drove down the dirt path that opened up into what was once a com field, but was now filled with lifted chevys, motorcycles, food tmcks and country music. Throughout the day 1 had shrugged off the endless glares and thought nothing of it. But the sun had set and I started to feel that maybe my welcome had run out. An extremely inebriated man stumbled by me and gave me a stare that wreaked so strongly of disdain. He walks up to my friend. Jack, whom by the way is white, and offers him a drink. This seemed unusual since Photo by Ce’Ara Cannon Gibsonville's Apple Fest touts itself on Facebook as “Where Good Friends And Good Times Come Together For A Great Cause,” with proceeds from the event going to support breast cancer patients and their families. For one BC student, however, this year’s Apple Fest was anything but “good” when she found herself in the middle of a racially charged brawl. they didn’t know each other, but hey, we were all southern folks. Jack accepted like any southern gentleman would. Without a second guess. Jack turns to my boyfriend and I to include us and immediately our inebriated acquaintance became livid. He began yelling out the ever-so poignant “n-word” along with other white supremacist tinged comments. With shock and complete helplessness written all over my face, 1 was too paralyzed to do anything but watch the brawl break out. Right after the words left the man’s mouth. Jack snatched the man up and with that came the ignition of a full on brawl. Not even knowing the situation, people began jumping into the fight, harming innocent bystanders all because they weren’t willing to let Jack defend someone that wasn’t of his own race. As I finally made my way through all the hateful words and forceful shoves, the police arrived and defused the situation. Who knew that this one man’s comment could spark such a strong flame among the masses. In my opinion, our country has the biggest savior complex I have ever seen, but we don’t make efforts to fix our own issues. I find it quite strange that our country will start a war and sacrifice their own people for conflicts that are not their own, conflicts that parallel injustices in our own backyard. When will the injustices of minorities amount to enough that our government actually takes action. As a country we can not continue to ignore the glaringly obvious injustices happening around us. While racism is deeply intertwined in the history of this country, complacency should not be. So stand up readers, not just for our generation but the generations to come. Stand up for something better. Running back on the law By Arlan Perry staff Writer Two running backs for the Pittsburgh Steelers were arrested last Wednesday for DUI and possession charges. At 1:30 p.m. Le’Veon Bell and Legarrette Blount were pulled over. Bell was arrested on the scene and Blount was told he could call for a ride to come pick him up. The Steelers team said that any punishment dealt out would be handled in house. Both Bell and Blount were scheduled to play their season opener on Sunday. This idea that athletes are able to get away with crimes dates back much further then the DUI charge of these two running backs. We are reminded of the Kobe Bryant rape case, as well as fellow football player Ray Lewis’s suspected murder charges. Has it become common knowledge that if you are a professional athlete in the United States you can get away with any crime? Coach Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been very clear that there will be no public announcement of any punishment for the two running backs. Therefore, the public will never know if the players are being dealt with appropriately. There seems to be a split in opinions of the general public: many members of society feel that the two players should be punished to the full extent of the law. However, it is quite safe to say that any Steelers fans would be more than happy to see the two players not miss any time on the field. One could question whether their athletic ability was more than enough to keep the players running up and down the field, rather than back and forth in a jail cell.
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