Letters to the Editor 2/113
MLK vandalism more than mischief
I am writing in response to Tuesday’s article titled “Vandalized MLK bust removed for repairs.” According to the article, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. bust that sits in the MLK Plaza has been vandalized several times. At this time it has been removed again for repairs.
My issue is this: University Police spokesman Mike Klingebiel said that the vandalism “does not constitute a hate crime since it is against property and not a person.” I don’t think these are simple pranks, considering that vandalism occurred on more than one occasion. I believe the perpetrator(s) vandalized the bust to somehow show disregard for Dr. King and what he stood for.
Taking into account that this is Black History Month, I believe the important symbol representing Dr. King — the advocate of freedom and justice — should be shown more respect. Needless to say, Dr. King has made innumerable contributions to the history of the United States. UP shouldn’t be taking these incidents lightly by labeling this a mere case of “criminal mischief.”
Georgia S. Thompson is a freshman pre-nursing major.
More Stories
Meet the Team
Oracle EditorProfile
USF gives it away in Memphis 34-33
At the half, a 14-point lead meant USF was on track to win its first conference game in over a calendar year. That energy was kept up even with under five minutes to go when the Bulls were up 33-20. Then USF watched as its lead went from comfortable, to slim, to nonexistent in the […]
Club teams missing competition, friendship due to COVID-19
Under normal circumstances, Grant Nolder, president of the USF flag football team would be preparing for the club’s biggest competition of the year, the Swamp Bowl. The annual tournament, hosted at UF, typically takes place during the fall semester and features some of the best club flag football teams in the country. Winners of the […]
Bulls battle with ECU in OT win
Coach Brian Gregory said Tuesday the Bulls didn’t play complete, 40-minute games in their two losses last week. It’s debatable if they did Wednesday night against East Carolina (11-18, 5-11) at the Yuengling Center, but it was more than enough to put up a 73-68 overtime win. “It’s funny. There were stretches where we played […]
First SG scholarship rewards student leaders
Student Government (SG) launched the first-of-its-kind, merit-based scholarship to students Nov. 5 on USF’s Tampa campus. As a part of Student Body President Britney Deas and Student Body Vice President Travis McCloskey’s platform, Bull S.H.I.F.T., — Success, Health, Innovation, Finance and Tradition — the SG’s Student Leadership Scholarship consists of two merit-based scholarships which will […]
On-campus Jabil institute sparks anticipation from students
A plan drafted on a bar napkin two years ago has now become the USF Jabil Innovation Institute, a multi-million dollar institute combining the College of Engineering and the Muma College of Business. Senior Vice President of Advancement and CEO of the USF Foundation Joel Momberg and Jabil CEO Mark Mondello jotted the idea down […]