Monday, WRAL reported disturbing, derogatory and threatening comments made by some users of The Wolf Web, a popular message board for students. These comments regarded the final play of the ACC Championship game against Carolina when freshman Ty Lawson dunked the ball with 0.8 seconds remaining. Site users directed the comments and insults at Lawson personally. They questioned his sexuality, race and even threatened lynching. They used words such as the F-word and the N-word.
In attacking Lawson, the Wolf Webbers failed to concentrate on the topic at hand, which was whether the dunk was in poor taste given the lead, in relation to the amount of time left in the game. The offensive comments have opened the door to question the sportsmanship and spirit of N.C. State fans. This is something that should outrage the Wolfpack Family; furthermore, fans must take an active part in upholding the classiness of our University.
We must condemn the insulting remarks made by those who call themselves Wolfpack fans. Our University cannot become a university that remains quiet when bigotry and hate is displayed.
Hiding behind the veil of silence on statements of hate is the same as supporting them. Students, faculty, alumni and others should not endorse the statements that these individuals expressed online. Everyone with ties to the University needs to speak out on how people among us take a heated rivalry too far. It is adequate and fair to criticize something that you perceive to be in poor taste; however, when that critique uses hate speech it crosses the line from acceptable to malicious and evil. It was great to view the comments Daniel Macdonald, a sophomore, made on WRAL when he took a stand and denounced the statements made on the Web site. Views such as Macdonald’s should be expressed by all. The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees us the right to free speech and expression; additionally, the right to express and state one’s opinion is a crucial part of the free society in which we live. Members of The Wolf Web have the right to say what they said, but for the sake of the Wolfpack nation, they shouldn’t have. When individuals are a part of a group, they must take into consideration what they say and write and how that will reflect on the group as a whole. The users of The Wolf Web did not consider this when they crossed the line to hatred.
Members of The Wolf Web who write, allow and encourage this pathetic form of expression are not Wolfpack fans. A Wolfpack fan is someone who cheers on and supports our school, camps out for tickets, capitalizes on every opportunity to better the campus and welcomes outsiders with open arms. Now is the time for everyone to step up and take a stand against these statements. The credibility of The Wolf Web is on the line. Users, myself included, and others must voice that they will no longer put up with hateful and derogatory speech. There must be an active stance against this to promote healthy and spirited discussion on all topics. The University should set an example for the rest of the nation to follow. It is acceptable and proper to debate the act, but don’t attack people in a disgusting and distasteful way. The creditability and reputation of campus can be damaged if we don’t step up to the plate and promote and practice healthy and respectful discussion. It is clear that the community is watching and reading what we write and say. To borrow from Stephen Colbert, The Wolf Web is now on notice, and the few users who made the inappropriate comments deserve a wag of the finger.
E-mail Matt your thoughts on the Wolf Web comments at [email protected].
