Farewell to the careless student body
There has been a space in this newspaper set aside for my thoughts and beliefs for the past three years now. I’ve been writing columns that no one seems to agree with.
I’ve received more letters and complaints than I care to remember. I’ve gotten angry looks while walking across campus. I’ve alienated myself from my fellow students I used to call friends.
I’ve written more than 80 opinion pieces for this fine publication and I don’t regret a single one. My main goal through writing was to encourage debate and get people on campus talking.
Sometimes it’s been late on production night and the paper needed a column. I’d fill it with lighthearted topics like my take on the cats vs. dogs debate or what my favorite state is (it’s Florida).
Maybe something I wrote really made you reconsider something. Maybe it changed your life. Or maybe you just got upset and talked with your friends about how stupid the newspaper was. Either way, hardly anyone ever wrote in to the paper, so it was tough to gauge how much people cared about what I had to say or the problems facing this campus.
And it’s sad, but you all disappoint me.
I’ve written about several hard-hitting issues on campus, such as tuition hikes and legislative action, while also writing harmless pieces later blown out of proportion (see “Blasting your music isn’t cool to do” or “Politicians have duty to keep campaign promises”).
And it’s the latter pieces that have caught the most flack, not tuition hikes or what exactly is going on in the government.
Students on this campus seem to be stuck in their own little bubble. Unless it’s happening within five feet of them, they don’t care. Frankly, it seems there’s an attitude that says, “Everyone sucks but me.”
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not perfect. I’ve made my share of mistakes. In fact, I actually quit the journalism program during my freshman year. I’ve been in four car accidents, coupled with a speeding ticket and another ticket for an expired registration.
I took a funny picture of a high school teacher who was napping because he felt sick. He died later in the month. Believe me. I’m far from perfect.
But it’s not hard to write in. I’ve written about topics that students should care about. But that chance is over. Those who did write in wrote about meaningless things that were blown out of proportion.
And now, with this being my final column of my collegiate career, I have one thing left to say to all those people. To anyone who ever wrote in to the paper to complain. To anyone who ever tore me apart in a comment post on the website. To anyone who muttered to a friend about what a terrible person I was. All I have to say is this.
Thank you.
In the world of journalism, columnists get ripped every time they write something. It doesn’t matter the point that is trying to be made; someone will still disagree with it. People will stick to their guns through thick and thin.
Maybe you were one of the few who wrote in and tried to tear me down. Maybe you said something to make me feel bad. Unfortunately, you failed. Every person who tried to pierce my skin with vulgar words or harsh stares only made me tougher. You helped me become a better writer.
And so I leave with this: I hate the Colts more than anything. The pessimistic entourage rules. And Dave Matthews Band still sucks.
I, like most of the student body, am always enthusiastic about reading what is being discussed in the opinion pages of The Franklin. Whether its such controversial issues as students running for congress care about FC (nay!) or that Governor Daniels is campaigning for a potential presidential bid (shenanigans!), it is always refreshing to hear what is on the minds of our award-winning staff. Evan has been a particularly engaging read, over the past year especially. This headline certainly grabbed my attention, as I was suprised that Evan was aware of the people he passed from Shirk to Saga and back. The passion of response coming from fluff articles came because they were written with passion, and a style that is bound to attract controversy. Of this, I am not in the least critical. An editorial should at least draw the attention of a reader, even if it needs to attack some of the audience. Perhaps other articles, such as tuition hikes or other legislative action, (issues, I may add, where A) a student consensus was lacking and B)nothing was to be done about what had been done), would have been responded to with more enthusiasm if they were presented in a way that was meant to provoke thought instead of infantile complaining. As for the "little bubbles" of the students of Franklin College, I agree only in that Evan would know the most about little bubbles. Congratulations on graduation, Mr. Shields. I hope the real world doesn't pop your bubble as well.