Spring time… Again?

It’s spring time again in Mid-Michigan and it’s easy to see when you look around at the glorious signs of the season. The robins are returning, the trees are starting to bud, the weather is getting warmer, baseball is back on TV, and smell of tear-gas drifts playfully around East Lansing.

For those who didn’t get a chance to see any of the footage or read any of the reports on “Cedar-Fest ‘08″, I encourage you to check out the story under the Local News section of this website. It is a great demonstration of the out-of-control behavior that too many college students are once again exhibiting. To be sure, the riot that ensued early Sunday morning, April 6th was perpetrated by a minority of MSU students (almost 50% of the arrests were people who don’t go to Michigan State). But far too many students were involved for this issue not to be addressed.

Perhaps the most discouraging aspect of this is that a lot of people were openly taunting the Police and basically pleading to be tear-gassed. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never stood in front of someone with a gun and asked them when they were going to shoot me. What kind of mind-set exists when this is considered a typical occurrence?

My view on this is that the culture surrounding parties at MSU, and many other college campuses as well, has changed; and not for the better. This is no longer about drinking a little, dancing a little, screaming at the top of your lungs and playing music too loud. That is pretty much expected and can be dealt with. What is occurring now is malicious destruction of property, disrespect for authority, and a complete lack of regard for others. Every time something like this happens, East Lansing suffers. Rioting is now synonymous with MSU and East Lansing. That’s a shame, and it’s time we hold those who perpetrate this responsible.

I would propose that authorities take a look at the you-tube videos and the news footage and arrest or fine absolutely everyone who appears, regardless of whether they were “innocent bystanders” or not. Until there is a severe penalty for this, this kind of thing will continue to happen. I think we can all agree that this is unacceptable.

For those students who feel they are being painted as riotous and disrespectful unfairly, I sympathize. But if you truly believe this, then it is time for you to mobilize and put a stop to this type of behavior. The underlying principle in almost all aspects of life should be to treat others with the respect that you in turn wish to be treated. I think I remember my kindergarten teacher telling me something like that. Perhaps a good lesson for today’s MSU community to embrace.