Mother always said mind your manners
Editorial Board
Issue date: 9/18/09 Section: Ed-Op
We at The Triangle Ed Board have noticed a disturbing trend locally and nationally - and no we're not referring to neon American Apparel tights. If you've seen the news at all in the past week, you're probably aware that high profile figures in the media - role models you could say-have been exhibiting a trend of rudeness. From Joe Wilson to Serena Williams, these typically admirable public figures have lost their cool.
During the president's speech on health care, Representative Joe Wilson abruptly shouted "You Lie!" Disrupting the president's speech transcends the realm of disagreeing with him. Members of the Drexel community and people all around the nation are entitled and guaranteed the right to disagree and criticize any member of our government. Wilson is entitled to his opinion - however, shouting egregiously at the president during his speech is a travesty of manners and in poor taste.
While Joe Wilson's two-word interruption caused uproar amongst political junkies everywhere, Kanye West's arrogant actions against Taylor Swift equally appalled VMA watchers and Internet users for days. Known for trying to steal the spotlight, West has interrupted acceptance speeches before. But his most recent tirade at the VMAs embarrassed both Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. Swift is only 19 years old. West's actions against the teenage country singer flabbergasted many. Another instance of rudeness at the VMA's was during the closing song by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys - when rapper Lil' Mama jumped onstage during their performance uninvited.
In sports news, Serena Williams shocked tennis fans around the globe when she unleashed a tirade against a referee filled with expletives and anger. Fellow tennis player Roger Federer also let loose a rant of his own.
So as you can see, across all aspects of society, rudeness has become a pervasive and attention grabbing problem. As students who are left to take all this in days before the beginning of fall term, we can only hope that unlike celebrities, fellow students will have respect for each other.
We were once freshmen too, and the days when we too roamed around campus bug-eyed, and lost in search of Randell Hall are a fresh memory. We ask that the entire student body do what it has always done in new academic years, and that is to make the freshmen class feel welcome. If a new student asks you for directions in the quad or on the street, take the time to answer their questions. Help our fellow new students get acquainted with our campus.
Being lost in a big city can be scary and moving out of your parent's house for the first time in your life is largely a culture shock. So don't follow the standards of our rude public figures. Please follow the precedent of all the students who have helped you in the past, and please help our newest Drexel students.
During the president's speech on health care, Representative Joe Wilson abruptly shouted "You Lie!" Disrupting the president's speech transcends the realm of disagreeing with him. Members of the Drexel community and people all around the nation are entitled and guaranteed the right to disagree and criticize any member of our government. Wilson is entitled to his opinion - however, shouting egregiously at the president during his speech is a travesty of manners and in poor taste.
While Joe Wilson's two-word interruption caused uproar amongst political junkies everywhere, Kanye West's arrogant actions against Taylor Swift equally appalled VMA watchers and Internet users for days. Known for trying to steal the spotlight, West has interrupted acceptance speeches before. But his most recent tirade at the VMAs embarrassed both Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. Swift is only 19 years old. West's actions against the teenage country singer flabbergasted many. Another instance of rudeness at the VMA's was during the closing song by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys - when rapper Lil' Mama jumped onstage during their performance uninvited.
In sports news, Serena Williams shocked tennis fans around the globe when she unleashed a tirade against a referee filled with expletives and anger. Fellow tennis player Roger Federer also let loose a rant of his own.
So as you can see, across all aspects of society, rudeness has become a pervasive and attention grabbing problem. As students who are left to take all this in days before the beginning of fall term, we can only hope that unlike celebrities, fellow students will have respect for each other.
We were once freshmen too, and the days when we too roamed around campus bug-eyed, and lost in search of Randell Hall are a fresh memory. We ask that the entire student body do what it has always done in new academic years, and that is to make the freshmen class feel welcome. If a new student asks you for directions in the quad or on the street, take the time to answer their questions. Help our fellow new students get acquainted with our campus.
Being lost in a big city can be scary and moving out of your parent's house for the first time in your life is largely a culture shock. So don't follow the standards of our rude public figures. Please follow the precedent of all the students who have helped you in the past, and please help our newest Drexel students.
Be the first to comment on this story