Mine is a name that will not be soon forgotten by many at TCU.During my eight semesters, I’ve managed to enrage dozens, perhaps hundreds, of students, faculty, administration and staff. I’ve boldly spoken out against sensitive issues, and I’ve taken the non-politically correct side more often than not. I’ve received hate mail; I’ve been called a “coldhearted jerk”; I’ve been threatened with lawsuits.
Therefore, when the Skiff’s opinion editor asked me to write a final column, I knew I couldn’t write a reminiscent sob story. In the interest of stimulating public discourse, I’ve decided to bring you a list of things I think you, the average student, should read. Some are old news, and some are totally new subjects, but they’re all worth considering.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 7 million illegal immigrants in the United States, and many of them crossed our borders without documentation. These people are a threat to our national security, as well as a drain on our economy because they take jobs from willing American citizens. Those who hire illegal immigrants are equally worthy of blame.
Contrary to what members of the NAACP would have you believe, the racial makeup of TCU has changed drastically in the last 20 years, according to the TCU Factbook. Specifically, although blacks have only gone from 4 percent in 1985 to 5.2 percent of campus in 2005, the number of whites has decreased from 92.6 percent to 76.3 percent. Hispanic representation went from 2.7 percent to 6.2 percent and Asian numbers increased from 0.4 percent to 2.0 percent during the same period. How is this Texas Caucasian University, again?
Last November, a majority of Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment that refuses the right to marriage to gay couples. Conservatives saw this as a victory that protected the sanctity of marriage. If marriage is such a sacred union, why do so many (between 40 percent and 50 percent, depending on whom you ask) end in divorce?
The Health Center refuses to release the number of students who have sexually transmitted diseases, although such refusal could pose a health risk to students. Statistically, around 22 percent of TCU students between the ages of 19 and 25 either have had or will have an STD, according to a report in Image magazine last semester.
The war in Iraq has cost the U.S. people about $275 billion since beginning in 2003. According to the National Priorities Project, this is enough money to give immunizations to the world’s children for the next 91 years or to give four-year public university scholarships to about 13.5 million students. As of April 18, there have been 2,585 casualties from the war, including 209 from Texas, according to The Associated Press.
If any of this upsets, enrages or excites you, good. I’m pretty sick of the rampant injustice in this world, but nothing makes me angrier than apathetic people. Get pissed-off; write letters; make phone calls; hold demonstrations. Whatever you do, don’t be passive.
Only through boldness can anyone make a difference in this world, and I’d like to say I’m doing my part. Thank you to my readers, supporters and dissenters. Thank you, TCU.
Brian Wooddell is a senior news-editorial journalism major from The Woodlands.