Times are hard, just not at The Eagle

Dear Editor,

For the eleventh time last week (in just eight weeks of publishing this semester), articles (usually opinions) in The Eagle newspaper informed us about sexism or sex education. For instance, one article last week claimed that women’s sports not being given “equal media coverage and television viewership” is unfair, and a separate two-page section offered voice to “CSC’s Rosie the Riveters.”

Whether these sort of articles in The Eagle have merit is not my concern. I am, however, deeply concerned with the number of articles covering the same issues more frequently than other profound issues impacting people of all backgrounds. 

Before continuing further, I must note that a newspaper is a great place to advocate for equal rights for women. Doing so is sensible and obvious for any man or woman to do, especially given recent evidence that sexism’s worst form is thriving on CSC’s campus. Still, it’s high time The Eagle started recognizing the existence of other urgent issues affecting all Americans. 

With that said, some education seems necessary: 

An ethical newspaper staff, especially one funded entirely by student dollars, must recognize the important platform journalism provides, and the staff should not incessantly use that platform to amplify their own personal interests. Instead, staff should use its platform to recognize the acute struggles and issues faced by everyone.

Once again, I’m not saying feminist issues don’t impact many people, but social wars are long term fights won in an absence of immediate substantive issues. Hence, The Eagle staff would be prescient to open its eyes to the struggling world outside this college campus. 

A world where people are hurting:

> We can’t afford to build. We can’t find a place to live. 

> The world economy is nearing a recession.

> The cost of living is skyrocketing, and Uncle Sam doesn’t care. 

> Our grocery stores are increasing their prices in a way that puts families in a pinch. They probably shortened their road trip this summer, because who can afford to fly a family, to the nearest state park because of gas prices.

And speaking of gas, how about the war in Ukraine? What happens if Russia cuts off oil to Europe? What about the alleged use of napalm by Russia on innocent civilians? 

Well, like other issues, I’m afraid The Eagle left the war topic, and the countless civilian lives lost, untouched until a journalist died. Only then could The Eagle twist the war topic into a lecture about how important journalists are.

Across the Pacific, I hear North Korea just launched a missile capable of hitting anywhere in the US. What I didn’t hear is our puppet president saying anything about it. I won’t hear anything in this paper either.

Indeed, I cannot overemphasize my disappointment with the subject matter in The Eagle. 

Tone-def might be a good description. Perhaps The Eagle staff members might consider writing for the Tenth Street Miscellany to spout off about personal social goals. In the meantime, everyday people deserve a newspaper willing to cut straight to the heart of the most pressing issues.

Sullivan Jones