These responses were sent to otenews@edgewood.edu:
Thank you for the very objective story on the lack of clear policy regarding the investigation. I have talked with several classmates (including one of your writers) about the incident and its resulting firestorm.
I am very concerned both with the rise of volatile rhetoric and, in contrast, with the hypersensitivity of the current sociopolitical climate. It will be interesting to see how Edgewood handles the delicate balancing act that is reducing hateful speech and rhetoric while also preserving First Amendment Rights. We don’t all have to agree with one another, or even like the media we consume, to understand the importance of preserving our rights. Obviously libel, slander, and threatening communications should not be tolerated, but there is no caveat that silences speech that hurts our feelings.
I understand that full disclosure into the incident in question is not likely to occur, or that you all may not ever be privy to that information. It is imperative, however, that we all know more in order to have a meaningful dialogue and to potentially influence the shaping of the new policy. For example, I would never defend overt hate speech, especially on a school sponsored event where conduct reflects directly on Edgewood and its population. On the contrary, I (and presumably other students) am concerned with the possibility that a student’s message is interpreted in the most sensitive context and that a student is scapegoated by an administration that needs to take a stand against hateful speech. These are delicate issues that would benefit from input from the entire Edgewood Community and I hope to follow continued coverage from On The Edge.
Michael Pflanzer, veteran student
Great job with the newspaper this year. I appreciate the return of the printed copy and all of the great arts coverage, along with issues-oriented reporting, so important to our mission!
Julie Dunbar, professor of music
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