Love-Hate Mail
A different school
Nice work on the TSU piece ("A Dream Deferred," Nov. 13). I hope everything turns out well for that school. One thing, though: A Different World was not set at Howard. The show was based on a fictional HCBU called Hillman. C'mon, Scene! I guess this isn't really a letter to the editor, I just wanted to correct that for you. Ridley rocks. I'm out.
John Craig Howell
Nashville
Family, flaws and all
TSU is a great university that's been a tremendous asset to our city and a very positive influence in our community ("A Dream Deferred," Nov. 13). Those who have graduated from TSU understand it is an experience like no other. There are positives and negatives, but TSU offers a family-like atmosphere that no other institution can provide.
Tennessee State University has overcome many obstacles and will overcome many more. This is a very difficult time for all state universities. I do agree that the problems with the administration have been an ongoing issue that needs to be fixed, but the way this article depicted my alma mater was not only unfair, but inaccurate.
This article seems to turn into an advertisement for MTSU. What is that about?
Dee
Nashville
A proud Tiger
I am 44 years old and a student at TSU ("A Dream Deferred," Nov. 13). I retired from the Army and am attending TSU's College of Business in order to get a degree and get started on my NEXT career. At the beginning of every semester, I hear the same comments and see the same frustrated looks about the financial aid office. To me the answer is simple. Fire the financial aid staff and start fresh. In the Army the last thing a commander needs is a dysfunctional staff, and while I know that TSU is NOT the Army, and that the Financial Aid Department is not the only broken link in the chain (recent articles in U.S. News and World Report hint at a growing financial aid crisis across the spectrum), a fresh staff with new ideas would communicate a positive message to the students and community as well. These kids deserve better treatment. After all, they are going to be the next generation of leaders and administrators. What kind of message is TSU sending them? By the way...I am PROUD to be a student at TSU.
John Sullivan Jr.
Fairview
You know, now that racism's over
I think it is so sad that some people can't accept the fact that Republicans/conservatives think for themselves ("White Out," Nov. 13). I personally don't need the media or anyone else telling me how to vote. The reason I didn't vote for Barack Obama has nothing to do with the color of his skin. Let go of the race card, it's old and pathetic now.
KK
La Vergne
Tennessee Demokkkrats?
I am a Republican ("White Out," Nov. 13). When others were saying black people were voting for Barack Obama simply because he's black, my first reaction was to agree. But then I realized that usually more than 85-90 percent of them vote Democratic every election, so it's unfair to say they are voting based on race.
Just like it is unfair to make that assumption, it is unfair to say Republicans didn't vote for Barack Obama simply because he's black. Republicans rarely vote for Democrats in appreciable numbers.
So if Tennessee Democrats say that racism cost their party elections in Tennessee, they can only logically be saying that the racism of DEMOCRATS cost them elections. This is something they are obviously not realizing when they start playing the race card.
Finally, you can't just claim race played the only role in Obama losing Tennessee to such a degree without knowing what was in the hearts and minds of the Democrat voters. Aren't Tennessee Democrats taking part in stereotyping and generalizing?
Scott
Thompson's Station
Look out, Karl
When Tony Zizza (Love/Hate Mail, Nov. 13) claims John Irving's statement that "President Bush made sounding stupid actually comforting to many Americans" is false, what does he mean? Is he saying that Bush's many malapropisms and his widely acknowledged failure as a thinker and a president is not comforting to anybody, or is he disputing the existence of Dubya's world-renowned lack of insight, wisdom and intellectual curiosity? Just wondering.
It is obvious, however, that Zizza's characterization of those he disagrees with as "insane," "weasels," talking "out of [their] ass" and that "Bush sounds like more of an American than Obama" makes it clear that he has a very bright future, if he's interested in Rove-ian Republican politics.
Bill Cole
Nashville
Quick, defrost Ted Williams
"Critically acclaimed" writer John Irving thinks Sarah Palin is "mean" and "poorly informed," but has nothing to say about Joe Biden's smooth but highly imaginative debating riffs on Middle East history or his multiple plagiarisms ("John Irving: The Scene Interview," Nov. 6). Such deep commentary—comparable to what we'd get if Mickey Mantle reviewed The World According to Garp. And Mantle's dead.
James H. Steiger
Brentwood
Comments (1)
Showing 1-1 of 1
People, people, people! Come now. Both of my parents warned me about going to TSU. But I figured after surviving 2 activity duty deployments, I can take care of me as a student transferring to TSU. NOT! I think we all know of the rude admin workers. Per say my parents, this has been the attitude since the 60's, and change is not an option. Besides that, 60 -75% of the students have not the slightest idea about higher education. NOT saying I the brighter pup of the litter, but TSU sure knows how to pick the worst (or dare I say the pup that should be euthanized for lack of development!) So when TSU states that the students (in general) didn't fill their Fafsa out within a timely manner, for about 30-45%, this could be true. But as for the rest, there are definitely 50% of those that fill Fafsa out on time. I say that due to the end of the summer semesters I have to hear the annoying convos of "gettin' my student loan money so I can get my hair done and bye a new outfit for the back-to-school frat parties and especially homecoming!" As human we all need to realize we are different, with different likings. DC voted for Marion Berry.... AGAIN! After being caught with a prostitute while smoking crack. Some people like that type stereotypical mentality. Thus, TSU has live dj's every Wednesday, with blasting lyrics of smackin' some girl's @ss, having they crew, buying/selling that best drugs, doing the superman or soldier boy, I be hood, I keep my pants below my butt, all while disturbing my science lectures/labs. Yes, the biology bldg is next to where this mini-concert is held. Some might want to say I am being a bit racist. (And I don't know how, but this was my last semester at this school, and as a black female I have been told in various ways that I am not "black" enough. I guess my techno is annoying to the masses here!)But every race/nationality has these groups of negative stereotypes. TSU just prizes their BET lifestyle/culture. For those TSU students whom feel I am being evil, let me offer a different picture! I am certain at Univ. of Kentucky there are those whites who pride their "girls gone wild" or "trailer trash" stereotype behaviors. Thus at Antioch High School, there are Hispanic students that love the "que haces cabron" stereotypes. Again, ALL races/nationalities have these negative stereotypes. It is that TSU (the general masses of staff and students) doesn’t see their behavior(s) as negative. The key it to realize, that NOT ALL BLACKS (and/or other ethnic groups) are so accepting of these behaviors! So suck-it-up! Listen to what the few bold blacks who dare critic about that mockery called TSU. We have had to listen to your ghetto babble for the longest! Anybody who thinks they can maneuver through this pitiful excuse for "higher education" (without problems or woes), by all means, I DARE YOU! Because I wished I'd listen to my parents 5 semesters (1.5 yrs) ago. But I've learned, and Vandy (even though the price scared me) has treated me like they actually wanted me here! Me, a nobody to you or others! But here at Vandy, they actually want me! Now you can't get this feeling at TSU!
like
dislike
