Dear Editor,
Respect is not something that is given away freely; you must earn it. If you want to gain the respect of another person, you must first show them the same level of respect that you expect in return. After witnessing Monday afternoon's "rally," (I use the term loosely because it was actually nothing more than an angry mob) I came to the sad realization that students at Ball State will never have the respect of our administration. Why? Because like it or not, the actions of a small group of students reflect on the entire student body. The group of students who gathered to protest the "Police Yourself" campaign showed a complete lack of respect for the administration, the university, the police, their fellow students and themselves. By shouting, screaming, booing and pointing fingers, what did it really accomplish? Nothing more than to further define the battle lines: administration versus students. Nothing more than to prove that the reason students are upset about the campaign is because they are angry that the law is being enforced. Nothing more than to say to the administration "if you want to get students involved, take away their alcohol." The idea to exercise our First Amendment right to assemble was great, and the message behind it might have even been correct. However, because of the way it was executed, it only served as a major setback for the students' case against "Police Yourself."
And to make things worse, the protesters turned on one of their own: Student Government Association President Ben Tietz. Has it been forgotten that the student body elected Tietz to serve as their representative to the administration? It is his duty as SGA president to make sure the voice of the entire student body is heard, and it has been proven over and over that the student body is split on this issue. Tietz cannot take sides; he must represent both sides equally to the administration, which he has been doing. We must also not forget that Tietz does not work alone. There are around 50 Senators who are also in place to serve and represent the student body. Instead of forming an angry mob and shouting insults at administrators and student leaders, utilize your Senators. Or better yet, become one!
Jessica Paxson
Student
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