Opinions . .
Crystal Cooper
Opinions Editor
opinions@thehilltoponline.com
Unbought, Unbossed, Unbiased
by Marquis H. Barnett Ombudsman The tone of this week’s column is going to be a little different guys. Last week, I was emailed by a reader who was concerned by the fact that I “complained” about the name of this column being misspelled and then the column itself using the word “too” as opposed to the proper “to.” It was a very good observation, indeed, but what it really comes down to is the fact that, regardless of if I spelled it incorrectly or not, it should have been caught at some point on the production schedule. Which, I believe, is why that same reader went on to say that they were disappointed in The Hilltop for the amount of spelling errors that they noted in the paper. “In student publications at other schools... you RARELY see misspellings and incorrect usage of grammar,” the reader went on. But inversely, the face of the paper that everyone who is off campus sees is the online version of their paper. The online version of the paper can be updated and errors corrected at any point. Chances are, if you went on campus and picked up The Harvard Crimson or The Daily Tar Heel, you would find spelling errors and incorrect use of grammar. That is because they are student journalists who are still learning their trade but that’s a moot point.
Corrections were run on Thursday, but there is no way that campus leaders such as Brittney Butts’ and De’Rell Bonner’s names should have been misspelled. That was as simple as checking Facebook, a past campaign flyer, or even asking a School of Communications student, which most of The Hilltop staff are. There is no reason that members of the staff are not getting credited for their work properly on the day of publication. That is as simple as calling and making sure that someone did or did not write a story or turn in a photograph. As the saying goes, “you can’t un-ring a bell.” So when a byline or photo credit is incorrect, that’s all she wrote because corrections are buried so deep within the paper that they are easily missed. Just as last week’s concerned reader wrote, it seems as though staff members are being lazy and not doing their jobs. Not to say that the staff in general is lazy, but if one staff member exudes lazy tendencies, it drastically impedes the production process and weakens the paper. Someone told me that my standards may be a little unrealistic for The Hilltop, but I completely disagree. This paper has been a staple on campus since 1924 and I simply refuse to allow people to perform at any less than their absolute best. I was appointed to this position because the editorial board saw my ability to help take The Hilltop to new heights and I won’t stop until I feel that I have satisfactorily completed that mission. I do not say any of this to excuse The Hilltop for its oversights or to make light of reader concerns. The whole tone of what I have been saying since my time as Ombudsman began is that The Hilltop is far too historic with a legacy far too great for simple mistakes to compromise the integrity of the publication. So there you have it.
Voice your opinion of The Hilltop to MHBarnett@thehilltoponline.com
Richard Montgomery Cartoonist
Mayoral Melodrama STAFF EDITORIAL
For several weeks, a sea of blue are visible. According to the Metro- band to be given a second chance. and green signs flooded the district politan Police Department, the ho- Really? during the final stretch of the may- micide count was 181 in 2007 when An ABC 7 poll conducted a oral primary campaign season. The Fenty first assumed office. Last year year ago revealed that 58% of D.C. colors, representing Vincent residents surveyed thought Gray and incumbent Mayor Fenty was more focused on Adrian Fenty respectively, advancing his career than on flagged neighborhoods borthe community’s needs. When dering Howard’s campus, “Transparency is key to gain- added to his alleged contract displaying the city’s political to fellow Kappa Aling the trust of the people you granting pride. pha Psi Fraternity, Inc. brothserve.” Whether or not Howers, it is apparent that Fenty’s ard students took interest in downfall lay in transparency. the matter, Vincent Gray’s victory it was 143, and as of Sept. 15 this The shifting public sentisuggests that the city thirsts for a year it is only at 86. In December ment in Fenty’s tenure stresses the fresh approach in leadership. It also last year, Fenty also localized same- importance of maintaining a bond suggests that it would be wise of the sex marriage by signing the Reli- with the people. If a leader is to be new mayor to learn from his prede- gious Freedom and Civil Marriage successful, he must be diplomatic; cessor’s mistakes. Equality Act of 2009. a term defined as “being skilled in Four years ago, Fenty received Yet somewhere along the path dealing with sensitive matters.” a warm welcome and was regarded to betterment, the people lost so Whether Gray or his republias the young energetic mayor with much trust in Fenty. So much so that can opponent is to be the city’s next progressive ideas, who would lead on Sept.1 of this year, his wife, Mi- mayor, he must handle issues tactiD.C. into an age of prosperity. chelle Fenty, broke down in tears at a cally and always maintain open comTo be fair, signs of progress mayoral debate begging for her hus- munication with his constituents.
OUR VIEW
PERSPECTIVE: Fenty’s Failures Mayor Adrian Fenty was once the Obama of the District. He was young, some would say attractive, he prided himself on being “color blind,” and he was personal. His door to door campaigns won over the hearts of many residents. While he did not hold years of experience under his belt, he held promises of hope and change in his hands. Sounds familiar? It is clear now that Fenty has lost the support of the people. He was welcomed with a roar of boos at the Nationals opening game in April, and again at Dunbar High School, during a commencement speech. He caught flack when he
12
arrived to the scene of a fatal shooting in Anacostia 24 hours after the event and even again at the funeral of the great go-go musician Anthony “Little Benny” Harley. Fenty was quoted as saying, “When I got elected, my thought was okay, let’s amass as many results as humanly possible over the next four years. One, because that’s what you’re elected to do, and two, because if you’re able to do so, I assumed people will reelect you…I realize now at the end of the four years that was flawed thinking. Yes, you absolutely have to deliver results, but there’s more to it. You have to include people…you have
to include everybody.” Over the last four years,
“Over the last four years, Fenty invested in community parks, schools, libraries and shopping centers. There was no question that money was leaving; the question is who was it helping?” Fenty invested in community parks, schools, libraries and shopping centers. There was no question that
The Hilltop
money was leaving; the question is who was it helping? Many inner-city Blacks argued that Fenty placed all of the district’s funds in predominately white and affluent communities. Initially, Mayor Fenty’s focus was on Ward 3’s recreation and gentrification. Fenty also cut social programs including service centers in northeast and southeast. According to Fenty, class or race does not influence the distribution of funds. Try telling that to the city’s residents. In a recent poll, 62 percent of white residents said that Fenty did a “good” or “excellent” job at improving city services while only 45
percent of Black residents agreed with that. The district’s new mayor,Vincent Gray pledges that he will provide more resources for adult education and attend to those who are unemployed and untrained. Affordable housing and city integration are among his plans for the future but he has to make it happen. The district cannot handle another mayor who is all talk. Vincent Gray has to keep the trust of the people if he plans to prevail. -Whitney Stovall sophomore, legal communications major