Ohio University should do away with designated free speech zones so that students may meet more freely and effectively on campus. Nineteen locations currently are designated as free speech zones, where any organization may meet and demonstrate if the organization has filed necessary paperwork with the university to reserve the area. Most of these sites carry restrictions regarding amplification and when demonstrations may take place. By placing and upholding these limitations, OU prevents organizations from being efficient.
According to Terry Hogan, dean of students, the term free speech zones is loaded, implying that these zones are the only areas in which students and organizations can gather. The free speech zones are only an organizational tool put in place by the university to keep the campus orderly and to keep walkways free and clear. The Web site, http://www.ohiou.edu/policy/24-016.html, outlines the policies regarding the use of campus locations such as West Portico and the Howard Hall Site.
Hogan said organizations can have a demonstration anywhere on campus, as long as it is appropriate in its time, place and manner. But, by not reserving a zone, the university has the right to ask the organization to disband or move to a different location. Protests on non-designated free speech zones should not be a disturbance or block traffic, and the location of the protest must be pertinent to the cause. The vagueness of these rules allows the university to have the ultimate say on what issues can and should be heard.
But the purpose of a protest or demonstration is not to be docile or unobtrusive. Protests aim to draw attention to a cause, raise awareness and gain support. This cannot be achieved by gathering quietly at an out-of-the-way site. Demonstrators should be able to spread their message wherever they deem necessary, whether it is by using amplification or mobilizing across campus. By encouraging the reservation of free speech zones and restricting the activities allowed on certain campus sites, OU inhibits students' rights to peacefully gather in protest.
NAACP should use consistent views
Friday, Kweisi Mfume, President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, wrote a letter condemning the creator of Ghettopoly, a Monopoly spin-off set in an urban ghetto, for promoting negative stereotypes of African Americans. But the NAACP supports rap artists like Nelly and Ja Rule by rewarding them with Image Award nominations, even though both rappers are notorious for their hard-core images. This is a contradiction regarding what should be congratulated and what should be denounced. The NAACP should strive to achieve consistency regarding acceptable and unacceptable images of African Americans.
Creator David Chang said that Ghettopoly is purely satirical and is meant to exploit the ridiculousness of stereotypes. The NAACP does not agree. In an Oct. 10 news release, the NAACP said that Ghettopoly promotes discrimination and hate crimes and encouraged the boycott of retailers who carried the game. Meanwhile, the NAACP nominated Nelly, a popular rapper whose lyrics have glorified guns, marijuana use and the mistreatment of women, for one of its esteemed Image Awards. Last year, rapper Ja Rule, signed to the Murder Inc label, was an Image Award recipient. His song titles include Smokin and Ridin and Kill 'Em All and his lyrics also contain graphic depictions of gunplay, drugs and promiscuous women.
Ghettopoly, the brainchild of David Chang, was inspired by rappers glorified in music videos and television shows such as MTV's Cribs. It has the same concept as the Hasbro family favorite, Monopoly, except Ghettopoly's playa pieces include an Uzi, a pimp, a prostitute, a marijuana leaf, a 40oz bottle of malt liquor and a rock of crack cocaine. Ghettopoly players strive to buy stolen properties like Westside Liquor and build crack houses and projects in black neighborhoods, all the while avoiding being shot or robbed.
By honoring artists such as Ja Rule and Nelly, the NAACP promotes the very stereotype that inspires games such as Ghettopoly. While Ghettopoly is considered over the top and offensive, Ja Rule is given an award. If the NAACP wants to rid America of degrading stereotypes, it should more carefully examine the celebrities that it endorses. By accepting and rewarding the ghetto-playa image presented by many rap artists, the NAACP encourages that lifestyle. If the NAACP is going to attack stereotypes in the board-game industry, then it should fight equally as hard to rid the music and entertainment industry of unwanted stereotypes.
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