Letter only emphasizes student ‘categorization’

[In response to David Williams' Tuesday letter submission]

Dear Mr. David Williams,

Everyone places people into categories that we either create ourselves or society creates. Unfortunately for you, many college students everywhere are stereotyped to be drunks and have those one-night stands. It isn’t “The Red & Black.” It isn’t even UGA. It stems from a great majority that happens to override your view of good morals.

Already you have removed yourself from others and stuck a label on your forehead reading “I have great morals.” What you consider good morals other people may not. You’re only reinforcing categorization by referring to some students as having “peanut brains” and being “biased self-consumed writers.” In case you haven’t noticed, bias is present everywhere. No one can be truly objective, and most all journalists strive to be as neutral as possible. You, Mr. Williams, have biases. You’re human.

Furthermore, the so-called “population that goes downtown” and the fewer students that “actually go home with someone for an episode of wild sex” are newsworthy. Those activities could affect students’ health and education. Maybe you haven’t noticed, but there are also many stories in “The Red & Black” depicting students’ lives, whether they are about a worthy accomplishment or merely some interesting vignette to share to the university. The paper does-and to use your word, gasp-run plenty of articles about admirable students. Perhaps you don’t like that you, free of all “moral filth,” have not been written about by some reporter.

I, and most likely “The Red & Black,” know that a) there are virgin students and b) there are students who abstain from alcohol. There are articles about those students too. I don’t understand where all of your hated categorizations are coming from. When I read the paper, as I have for almost four years now, I never get the sense that all of “The Red & Black” reporters classify college students as horrible sleazy drunkards.

I hope that, Mr. Williams, the next time you open up the paper that you approach it with an open mind, and that you read it to its entirety. Upon the inky surface, next to advertisements and pictures, the blocked text covers more than just students who drink or sleep around.

There lies crucial or interesting information about UGA and its students that you may have not known until you read the paper, or checked “The Red & Black’s” Web site. Why must you call other students oblivious? Do you even know if they are? I don’t know about how other students feel, but I know that if we shared a class, I wouldn’t want to sit next to you.

Jessica Burghaus
Senior, Snellville
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