Ginnie Graham of the Tulsa World penned an interesting article on the protests at the U of M.
No doubt there are probably some pinheads on campus who have made racial slurs and even some idiot who used feces to smear a swastika. Does that really rise to the level of systemic racism or is there an over-reaction happening on campus?
Do most of the students really have a legitimate reason to create unrest or are they simply looking to experience their own civil disobedience moment?
The recent University of Missouri protest that ended with a student journalist being pushed around and threatened with violence hits close to home. This infuriating episode should result in the firing of an assistant professor and possible charges of assault.
That reporter is Tim Tai, who was an intern for the Tulsa World last summer. Having worked with him for three months, I would describe him as good-natured, mild-mannered, talented and concerned about social justice. He and reporting intern Hannah Covington covered issues of food deserts and the dangers posed to people living near the Arkansas River levees.
Tim returned to Mizzou for his final year after a successful internship in Tulsa. He has been photographing the ongoing tension between the student group Concerned Student 1950 and the university president, who resigned Monday after the protest was joined by the football team. Racial tensions have been rising with legitimate concerns raised by students.
But these students don't seem to understand the First Amendment. Their behavior lost all meaning and weight of their protest.
Most appalling are the actions of assistant professor of mass media Melissa Click, who called for violence against those trying to document the event, and Janna Basler, staff member of the Greek Life office, who literally pushed her way into Tim to rant. She appears to shove him.
Click is the red-headed woman at the end of the video threatening the videographer. Basler is the blonde who refers to herself as "Concerned Student 1950" when asked her name and if she was an employee of the university.
The First Amendment covers the rights of free speech and public assembly. It also covers the right to a free press.
I understand there is a distrust of media, but respect goes both ways.
The university employees taking part of this mob mentality need to be held accountable.
A few thoughts:
The point of a protest is to get attention. If you don't want attention, don't be part of a public protest.
The group states it wanted privacy to discuss issues openly without the distortion of the media. Then move to a private place. The only other more obvious public space to have assembled would have been on the 50-yard line of the football field.
The group had no problem with media staking out the president on campus. Rules do not apply differently to different people.
It is not an exaggeration to say Click could have incited a riot with her words. Here is a transcript:
“You need to get out, you need to get out,” Click says. “You need to get out,” she continued before trying to grab his camera.
“I actually don’t,” the videographer says. (He is right, by the way.)
“Hey, who wants to help me get this reporter out of here,” Click says.
Then, yelling to the assembled and agitated crowd: “I need some muscle over here!”
What was the goal here? What motivation other than physical harm was intended? Would she have stood by had a beating started?
Many were insisting Tim had no right to take photos then threatened to physically block him. Wrong on both parts. Eventually, he and the videographer were pushed and shoved because they would not leave this public space.
Who is the bully in this situation?
Because I cannot understand how a university instructor of media could react this way, it's natural to look up Click's expertise. Her biography shows a doctorate from the University of Massachusetts in communications, with research on popular culture, particularly on texts and audiences "disdained in mainstream culture."
"Current research projects involve 50 Shades of Grey readers, the impact of social media in fans’ relationship with Lady Gaga, masculinity and male fans, messages about class and food in reality television programming, and messages about work in children's television programs."
Of the published works listed, almost half are about the tween "Twilight" vampire romance and others about Lady Gaga, pop music and Martha Stewart.
She represents the things people disdain about higher education research.
Because Click fancies herself a civil rights mover and shaker, she needs to get her head out of poorly written erotica and teen fantasies and study media history and law. I'm pretty sure Mizzou has some courses she could audit.
No heralded civil rights leaders ever instructed a public attack on reporters. They understood the difference between public and private and peace and violence.
I'm thankful Tim was not subjected to "muscle" and roughed up. He shouldn't be fearful on his own campus. I'm also proud of the way he handled himself.
The University of Missouri has one of the most highly regarded journalism schools in the nation and home to the Investigative Reporters and Editors. Some of my favorite journalists and colleagues were educated at this institution.
Many are just as shocked at Click's behavior and wish her gone. I hope they get their wish.
***
UPDATE - Since I wrote this piece, the Concerned Students 1950 have changed their tune.
The group took down the "No Media" sign and put up a new one with the phrase "Teachable Moment."
It states the media has a First Amendment right to be in the campsite, which is public. That the media is an important part of telling the stories experienced by Mizzou students.
"Let's welcome and thank them."
It's refreshing to see this quick change, but it doesn't exempt the faculty from facing disciplinary action. They should have guided these students better.
The dean of the Missouri School of Journalism released a statement Tuesday commending Tim for the way he handled the confrontation.
Dean David Kurpius also clarified that Click is a not a faculty member in the journalism school. She is on the staff of the department of communication. However, she holds a courtesy appointment with the journalism school, which has taken immediate action to review her appointment.
Ginnie Graham 918-581-8376
ginnie.graham@tulsaworld.com