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OTHER OPINION STORIES - Why we should not go to war with Iraq - War with Iraq will leave many more victims - Who are Americans? Letters to the editor INSENSITIVITY RAMPANT IN THE LAST EBBTIDE Lucinda Stine (SCC Student Senator) I am a student here at SCC. I understand SCC prides itself as being a hate-free campus: a campus that opens its arms to all students. Because of these values, I lack adjectives to describe my shock and disgust when reading the caption under a photo in a movie review on page nine of the latest edition of The Ebbtide (Feb. 14). In a review of "How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days," printed was "Andie and Ben talk during a chick-flick marathon. Intent on watching "Sleepless in Seattle," a fat man in back considers eating them." I find it ironic how your front-page article [Adrenaline! rushed to recognition] attacks the integrity of Student Government and Student Body President Sean Scott for exercising First Amendment rights. Yet, you abuse the same rights by allowing an inflammatory, stereotypical and offensive caption under a picture in a movie review. Doesn't this deny readers basic dignities and rights from persecution? Does the First Amendment permit wholesale slander in the press? Has The Ebbtide conducted research correlating cannibalism and the BMI index? Let's pretend that the statement about the heavy-set gentleman wanting to eat the two stars was directly taken from this movie (and guess what; it wasn't): It would seem to me that you, as the Ebbtide, failed in your responsibilities to uphold the canons of journalistic integrity by perpetuating a myth of the perfect body type. I know for a fact the heavy-set gentleman does not contemplate eating his co-stars; he just wants to watch his movie in peace. Do you know why? I saw the movie. Where do you get off making such an outrageous and offensive comment? Would this comment have been made if the heavy-set man were of color? Is it editorial policy to tiptoe around ethnicity but blindly trudge ahead over issues of body image? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? The Ebbtide strongly encourages our readers to speak out on the stories we publish. Let us know what you like. What you don't like. Do you have an opinion? Send your comments or essays to webbtide@yahoo.com. Be sure to include your name and phone number for validation purposes. All contributions are subject to editorial review by the staff of The Ebbtide. I am aghast at this abuse of your position while neglecting the sensitivities of your readers. You do not hold a patent on free expression on this campus. Discrimination is discrimination. It doesn't matter what it is wrapped in; it is just ignorance. I feel the entire Ebbtide staff should apply some thought about what goes on your pages before you print them. I am sure if you were to poll the student body, you'd find "fat guy" jokes are as inappropriate and offensive as jokes about "dumb blondes." I realize not very many people read your little newsletter. However, you supposedly speak to the students of SCC. It seems to me, The Ebbtide speaks a very different language than the administrators and students of our campus. © 2003 Shoreline Community College™