Newspapers / Methodist University Student Newspaper / April 26, 1999, edition 1 / Page 2
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Letter To The Editor Thank you very much for printing my editorial concerning pubhc education and its problems. However, I do have one concern. The title given to the editorial did not, in any way, reflect the content of the piece. No-where in the editorial did I refer to a student’s intelligence level or abilities. In fact, I did not mention students’ performances until the end of the piece, and that referred to laziness. There is a difference between being dumb and being lazy; never would I refer to a child as dumb. The title assigned to my editorial wfli an editorial within itself, and I want no connection to that train of thought. I am embarrassed that people believe I feel this way. This title undermined the message of the editorial. Perhaps in the future titles need to reflect more appropriately the content of the editorial. Michelle Lourcey English Teacher, Cape Fear High School Evening College Professor, Methodist College Semantics Make A Difference By Cindy Bridges, Editor and Michael C. Molter, Assistant Editor It is all about semantics. People attach various meanings to words. Ms. Lourcey attaches too much meaning to the word “dumb.” The word itself is trite. We feel that the point Ms. Lourcey was trying to make in her editorial (in the April 5 issue of the Pride) was not to blame teachers for poor student performance. Regardless of the reason for the poor performance, the empirical results are still the same—poor performance! Ms. Lourcey made no effort in her previous editorial to clarify who is responsible for the poor performance—only that teachers are not to be blamed. We did not miss the point. We hit the nail on the head. Ms. Lourcey was responding to the editorial (in the February 15 issue of the Pride) about poor student performance and “dumb” kids. She refuted our arguments, and thus, the title given to her editorial was appropriate. The editors of the Pride welcome letters to the editor. We appreciate that people take the time to contribute to the paper and even refute editorials that we have printed. In no way do we want to discourage students, faculty, or staff from writing to us. However, when articles do not have a title, we take the liberty of assigning one to it. We do try to use our best judgement to create a title that captures attention and reflects the mood of the piece. goin^ to be Vvere tliis Want to be the first to meet MC’s newest students? It*s not too late to become a student orientation leader! For more information, please contact Lori Bumgarner at 630-7151, or stop by tbe Academic Development Center. Gossip: Words Can Hurt Letter to the Editor Gossip is a major issue. It is a way of life everywhere, especially at small colleges, and especially at this one. Today I would like to address my concerns with Methodist College students. People make rash judgments on people and situations. Be careful with this. If you don’t know the whole story, which you won’t, and never will, then keep your mouth shut and your mind open. When you open your mouth and put your two cents in, you are indicating how ignorant you are and how much you do not know. If the truth ever does surface, and eventually it will, you will either be mature enough to realize that you were wrong or you won’t have enough guts to admit that you judged too quickly and without knowledge. I do not mean to be rude and sound super superior, however, I am sick of all the lies and gossip going around. Eventually the truth will come out and those who kept their mouth shut I have the utmost respect for. When you do not gossip, you are creating respect for yourself and others. Think back for a moment, when you talk about a person with someone, do they have the question “I wonder what this person says about me behind MY back?” going through their mind. In the end, the trustworthy people are those who do not gossip and talk about their friends, but instead, listen to others without judgment, and keep the information they learn to themselves. For those who judged, gossiped, and created animosity, I hope you learn a lesson when the truth surfaces. Life is an experience, you can leam from or run from it. Nobody knows everything, especially when it comes to gossip. Remember the famous saying Everybody has an opinion ...so, try keeping it to yourself and, instead, “try to learn the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Jennifer Packard Cindy Bridges, Editor Michael C. Molter, Assistant Editor Ana Maria Ayala, Staff Writer Deborah Riley, Staff Writer Scott Galayde, Staff Photographer Brian Sims, Staff Photographer Joseph E. Mullen, Staff Photographer Caroline F. Kearns, Director of Student Media The Pride is the triweekly student newspaper of Methodist College. The ideas and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views and posi tions of the faculty and administration of the college. The Pride welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and must include the author's address and phone number. Address any correspondence to the Director of Student Media, 54(X) Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC, 28311, or to the editor via campus mail. Questions or information concerning stories should be directed to the Director of Student Media at 630-7292.
Methodist University Student Newspaper
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April 26, 1999, edition 1
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