Unrest in Missouri

[South Bender]

University protests are probably as old as universities themselves, so I don't have an issue with student protests in general which disrupt the functions of a university. It happens. I don't think it's the best avenue for the student-athletes involved to voice their concerns, if only because it affects their teammates. Provided they have their teammates' backing, then I don't have a big issue with it.

Even if the university would have a right to pull the student-athletes' financial aid, they'd be idiots to do so - again, they'd get killed on the perception front.

I think it's misguided to blame things on the Obama administration. Sports-related protests are nothing new. It has little to do with the administration currently in charge.

Gary Pinkel has addressed this issue with the statement "We are a team, and we stand together". So it seems the entire team is going to jump off this ledge together.

I see no way that the University President is going to resign his position in order to get
the football team back on the field. I don't see the players backing down either. Will
be interesting to see how this plays out.

 

[NDSMC78]

Gary Pinkel has addressed this issue with the statement "We are a team, and we stand together". So it seems the entire team is going to jump off this ledge together.

I see no way that the University President is going to resign his position in order to get
the football team back on the field. I don't see the players backing down either. Will
be interesting to see how this plays out.

The Missouri president has resigned.


Edited to include link.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/univers...-tim-wolfe-resigns-amid-protests-over-racism/

 

[South Bender]

If the university wants to lose this battle, then yes, that's what they should do.

Lose the battle in the eyes of who??

 

[South Bender]

The Missouri president has resigned.


Edited to include link.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/univers...-tim-wolfe-resigns-amid-protests-over-racism/

This is utterly amazing. Unbelievable.

 

[IowaIrish1]

They requested that the President write a hand written apology and acknowledge his "white privilege" among other demands.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

That demand came after he was recorded telling students(and I am paraphrasing) that Systemic racism wasn't real but rather a construct of minorities disagreeing with this position in society.

 

[NDSMC78]

This is utterly amazing. Unbelievable.

I don't think it was unbelievable at all. Considering the realities of the situation, I don't think he had much of a choice.

 

[NDEwing18]

Lose the battle in the eyes of who??

In the realm of public opinion. Not sure why some people complain about the "liberal" media but would be surprised when that same media may shape or reflect opinions of a certain group.

 

[topdecktiger]

I think the anecdotal evidence speaks for itself in that racism is present on campus, whether systemic racism exists is up for debate I suppose. This issue is if there wasn't enough validity to the position that systemic racism exists on campus I don't think you would see the amount of support from the faculty you did.

No, the anecdotal evidence doesn't speak for itself. Again, some guy making a racial slur on the phone is not anywhere close to "systemic racism." There is simply no practical way to prevent things like that. The faculty support means absolutely nothing. Remember all the "faculty support" in the Duke lacrosse case? Many professors have a preconceived opinion about racial issues, based on their worldview. If often times leads them to overestimate the credibility of racism claims.

Does entering into a dialogue with the students requesting action be taken automatically mean you are bowing down to their desires? The President got himself into this because he ignored multiple reports of racism that occurred on campus and then refused to talk to campus leaders about the events.

Yes, it automatically means you are bowing to their desires. I will restate my point. The students are not interested in "dialogue." All they want is for the president to sit there and let them yell at him, and then accede to their demands.
They have no interest in hearing any dissenting opinions, or reexamining any of their beliefs.

I'm waiting, then, for the 911 dispatcher who gets a call from a person who says that their spouse threatened to kill her, to respond "Well, there's no documented evidence that that happened - just your claim - so let us know if something more concrete occurs and maybe we'll take a look at it."

That is such a ridiculous analogy, and I use the term "analogy" loosely. There were no accusations that even remotely, remotely, come close to a crime. I'll go over the accusations again. Someone drew a swastika on a wall. That's being investigated. Some people yelled at a pedestrian while passing by in a care. That's not evidence of any racism at the school. Like I said, it's not even known if those people were students. There is no reasonable way for the president to stop every person driving around campus from yelling out the window, particularly if they aren't students. The third incident was a person who used a racial slur during a private phone conversation, while walking away from a group. Yet again, there is no practical way to stop this.

If this was George Wallace in 1963, then I would agree with you. For this stuff, no way. You have a few random acts (and again, two of them are not confirmed). That's not sufficient, in any way, shape, or form, to rise to the level of systematic racism. It's also in no way, shape, or form, a basis to hurl accusations at a person or institution. Sorry, but minorities do not get to be the exclusive judges of what is racism or not. There is simply not enough here to justify their protests, or warrant any action to be taken against the president or university.

 

[Nocalirish]

Are they going to burn down the college now?

 

[SALittleGiant513]

1. There are more then just these two incidents being complained about.

2. The demands from the students didn't come until the President ignored the request for a dialogue.

3. What would be enough to justify their protests?

 

[Toby Smart]

I thought Missouri was the toast of the town with the way they handled the Michael Sams thing. Now they are the scourge of the Earth? I wish these protesters would make up their mind. The team unified is maybe not so much. Word out of anonymous team members is that if the players are unified, Da Coach had to do some arm twisting. The Mizzou basketball team isn't all in either. They had no plans to follow any protest. At least that was the word this afternoon.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

Sam situation and this are completely different, not sure how or why this is brought up.

 

[topdecktiger]

1. There are more then just these two incidents being complained about.

2. The demands from the students didn't come until the President ignored the request for a dialogue.

3. What would be enough to justify their protests?

1) No, the three incidents I have been describing are all that have been reported. Also, there are no specific incidents listed in the demands of the students. They only have a very generalized list of demands, including the asinine insistence that the president acknowledge his "white male privilege."

2) What the president "ignored" was a group of 20-30 students trying to have a "dialogue" by accosting him while he was in his car. That man has absolutely no, absolutely no, obligation to get out of his car to be accosted by mob, and yes, it was a mob. He is also under no obligation to jump whenever some aggrieved students demand a "dialogue." The world does not revolve around these kids. Everybody doesn't have to jump whenever they complain. No one has an obligation to listen to them.

3) If a professor refused to let them into class because of their race, that would be a legitimate reason to protest. If they were refused service in the cafeteria because of their race, that would be a legitimate reason to protest. If they were assaulted because their race, that would be a legitimate reason to protest. If they were given lesser grades because of their race, that would be a legitimate reason to protest.

Let me give you some things that are NOT legitimate reasons to protest.

-The president won't admit he has "white male privilege."
-One individual using a racial slur in a private phone conversation.
-A random person yelling a racial slur while driving in a car.
-They don't think the number of minority staff is sufficient. (They are not the ones who get to pronounce what is "sufficient" minority representation.)
-The university doesn't have enough "social justice centers" on campus.

You are being taken for a sucker on this issue. These kids aren't complaining about real racism. They are just a bunch of college kids looking to throw around their weight. There are real instances of racism and discrimination in the country. This isn't one of them.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

I think that the assumption that racism only exists if it overt is problematic on a number of levels. Also, I think limiting this to 3 incidents ignores full history of this issue. The requests for dialogue with the president began before the homecoming parade protest

 

[Toby Smart]

Sam situation and this are completely different, not sure how or why this is brought up.

Nope. It has everything to do with tolerance vs intolerance in both cases. There might be a few more layers today but the meat of it is the same for both situations. It was brought up because I brought it up.

 

[Toby Smart]

Sam situation and this are completely different, not sure how or why this is brought up.

Nope. It has everything to do with tolerance vs intolerance in both cases. There might be a few more layers in the current dilemma today, but the meat of it is the same for both situations. It was brought up because I brought it up and I brought it up because it was important.

 

[DieHard_Irish]

I really don't know any of the facts of the situation, other then the commentary of the news media. That said, I don't believe resignation is the best result long term. Seems to me an discussion should have been scheduled with representatives from both sides and the issue(s) should have been discussed. I believe succumbing to demands in this manner really opens Pandora's box.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

How does the football team accepting a teammate coming out to them relate to the football team's decision 2 years later protesting the schools treatment of issues affecting minority students. If anything in both cases the team seems to be one that promotes tolerance.

 

[NDEwing18]

How does the football team accepting a teammate coming out to them relate to the football team's decision 2 years later protesting the schools treatment of issues affecting minority students. If anything in both cases the team seems to be one that promotes tolerance.

It relates because it gives him another reason to bitch about gay people.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

Got it... you better be careful NDE we are going to get accused of being the same person.

 

[deadirishpoet]

Got it... you better be careful NDE we are going to get accused of being the same person.

It's official. The inmates are running the asylum. They stated they will be challenging the University on White privilege.

What a clown show

 

[deadirishpoet]

Got it... you better be careful NDE we are going to get accused of being the same person.

Well I like both of you.......,or you and you........or you and him........or him and you........., or him and him (that's if you are both him's)

 

[dannydionne1983]

I grew up poor in a neighborhood that is 95 percent black and latino and I have a million stories I can tell you that I have witnessed with police brutality and racism I would be harassed for no reason by police questioning me why I was walking in a black neighborhood that's where I lived I love it when Neoconservatives interject their ancient views in these in these conversations and call you a Liberal for having an open mind about Racial Issues It is funny because I'm not a liberal I am a Libertarian I Witnessed and lived through racism my whole life growing up racism is not always vocal it lives in the shadows

 

[SALittleGiant513]

Well I like both of you.......,or you and you........or you and him........or him and you........., or him and him (that's if you are both him's)

DIP I appreciate it. I can also assure you NDE is not me.

 

[deadirishpoet]

I grew up poor in a neighborhood that is 95 percent black and latino and I have a million stories I can tell you that I have witnessed with police brutality and racism I would be harassed for no reason by police questioning me why I was walking in a black neighborhood that's where I lived I love it when Neoconservatives interject their ancient views in these in these conversations and call you a Liberal for having an open mind about Racial Issues It is funny because I'm not a liberal I am a Libertarian I Witnessed and lived through racism my whole life growing up racism is not always vocal it lives in the shadows

In all races

 

[artemis gordon]

The Left is eating itself now. It is all based on feelings and not empirical investigation.It is collapsing but it will bring down much that is good.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

If the left is eating itself what is the right doing?

 

[WhySeperateKnob]

I grew up poor in a neighborhood that is 95 percent black and latino and I have a million stories I can tell you that I have witnessed with police brutality and racism I would be harassed for no reason by police questioning me why I was walking in a black neighborhood that's where I lived I love it when Neoconservatives interject their ancient views in these in these conversations and call you a Liberal for having an open mind about Racial Issues It is funny because I'm not a liberal I am a Libertarian I Witnessed and lived through racism my whole life growing up racism is not always vocal it lives in the shadows

Well, I know one thing you were apparently never exposed to, punctuation.

 

[deadirishpoet]

If the left is eating itself what is the right doing?

Dividing itself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[graceh90]

Interesting video perspective from on the ground protest at Mizz today. Watch the female professor of mass media from the esteemed UM school of journalism bully a minority student photographic reporter at 6:27 "who wants to help me get rid of this reporter, I need some muscle over here! "

 

[deadirishpoet]

Interesting video perspective from on the ground protest at Mizz today. Watch the female professor of mass media from the esteemed UM school of journalism bully a minority student photographic reporter at 6:27 "who wants to help me get rid of this reporter, I need some muscle over here! "

View embedded media

LMAO

They really DON"T want their story told.
What CLOWNS!!!! I just hope they pay their student loans

 

[graceh90]

LMAO

They really DON"T want their story told.
What CLOWNS!!!! I just hope they pay their student loans

They are there to defend the rights of the downtrodden minority. Oh wait....nevermind.

PS: this stout group of freedom riders is led by a professor who's research interests "center on popular culture texts and audiences, particularly texts and audiences disdained in mainstream culture. Her work in this area is guided by audience studies, theories of gender and sexuality, and media literacy. Current research projects involve 50 Shades of Grey readers, the impact of social media in fans’ relationship with Lady Gaga, masculinity and male fans, messages about class and food in reality television"

Yeah that will certainly help them pay off their student loans

 

[deadirishpoet]

They are there to defend the rights of the downtrodden minority. Oh wait....nevermind.

PS: this stout group of freedom riders is led by a professor who's research interests "center on popular culture texts and audiences, particularly texts and audiences disdained in mainstream culture. Her work in this area is guided by audience studies, theories of gender and sexuality, and media literacy. Current research projects involve 50 Shades of Grey readers, the impact of social media in fans’ relationship with Lady Gaga, masculinity and male fans, messages about class and food in reality television"

Yeah that will certainly help them pay off their student loans

Hum real higher learning stuff.

 

[francade]

1) No, the three incidents I have been describing are all that have been reported. Also, there are no specific incidents listed in the demands of the students. They only have a very generalized list of demands, including the asinine insistence that the president acknowledge his "white male privilege."

2) What the president "ignored" was a group of 20-30 students trying to have a "dialogue" by accosting him while he was in his car. That man has absolutely no, absolutely no, obligation to get out of his car to be accosted by mob, and yes, it was a mob. He is also under no obligation to jump whenever some aggrieved students demand a "dialogue." The world does not revolve around these kids. Everybody doesn't have to jump whenever they complain. No one has an obligation to listen to them.

3) If a professor refused to let them into class because of their race, that would be a legitimate reason to protest. If they were refused service in the cafeteria because of their race, that would be a legitimate reason to protest. If they were assaulted because their race, that would be a legitimate reason to protest. If they were given lesser grades because of their race, that would be a legitimate reason to protest.

Let me give you some things that are NOT legitimate reasons to protest.

-The president won't admit he has "white male privilege."
-One individual using a racial slur in a private phone conversation.
-A random person yelling a racial slur while driving in a car.
-They don't think the number of minority staff is sufficient. (They are not the ones who get to pronounce what is "sufficient" minority representation.)
-The university doesn't have enough "social justice centers" on campus.

You are being taken for a sucker on this issue. These kids aren't complaining about real racism. They are just a bunch of college kids looking to throw around their weight. There are real instances of racism and discrimination in the country. This isn't one of them.

Excellent post, topdeck. Spot on.

 

[Toby Smart]

Not to be out done, just a few weeks ago, protesters at Yale complained about Halloween costumes. They demanded a "safe" zone" from these costumes. And at Valparaiso University, students protested because Chick-fil-A wanted to operate on campus. The 60s are alive and well. Somebody cue Joan Baez.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

Why is that a bad thing?

 

[Pennick4]

What a disgrace the President is for resigning.

 

[Toby Smart]

Why is that a bad thing?

It's not a bad thing. It gives us comedy relief. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Like the sitcom at Mizzou. You can trace many of the agitators and organizers at the campus protest directly to the agitators in Ferguson. Those are their words. Not mine. Way too funny.

 

[Toby Smart]

Why is that a bad thing?

It's not a bad thing. It gives us comedy relief. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Like the sitcom at Mizzou. You can trace many of the agitators and organizers at the campus protest directly to the agitators in Ferguson. Those are their words. Not mine. Way too funny.