editor:

Derrick Skaug was recently appointed as the newest member of the Pullman City Council, a huge step forward for students, who are generally not represented on our local government.

This unprecedented move to challenge the status quo is commendable. As someone who has worked with Derrick throughout this school year on various tasks in ASWSU, I can say with confidence that he will serve our community well on the City Council. His knowledge and passion for both Pullman and Washington State University will motivate him to work hard for his entire term, and his standing as a student will allow him to offer a unique perspective to our city officials. There is no doubt in my mind that he will follow through on his goal of serving students in this new position.

Derrick is a smart and friendly guy, able to look past common biases to see the good in people. This, along with his drive and commitment to public service, will serve him well. I am eager to see the good he can do in this new position, and I wish him the best of luck.

Joey Pacific
junior, political science 
ASWSU disrtict 6 Senator 

editor:

I would expect a good journalist to be able to understand all aspects and facts of the case. Ashley Fisher clearly does not in regards to her latest column. Although she did not give any specific information about the alleged assault that took place last month, provided as a counterweight to Trayvon Martin’s case, the victim’s name was Allen Coon and the assault took place on Feb. 28.

Although there are some inconsistencies with how Coon’s assault is being portrayed, especially in regards to sensationalist details that are not in the original report, they are not the important issues. Coon is alive with first-degree burns (not severe damage to his eyes and lungs, as Fisher reports), and the police are investigating and attempting to find and prosecute his assailants. Trayvon Martin is dead, shot while unarmed by George Zimmerman, a fact verified by multiple eyewitness accounts. Yet, weeks after the incident, Zimmerman has not been charged with any crime and, national attention notwithstanding, is still a free man.

The reason white-on-black crime is more sensitive to modern ears is because there is a long and continuing history of institutional racism when it comes to justice for its victims. Trayvon Martin’s case continues this trend because of the lack of a police investigation into Zimmerman, facilitated by a ridiculous law that allowed him to shoot someone he thought was suspicious. Black-on-white crime is not so sensitive because, in nearly all cases, the lawful authorities investigate the crime fully and, if possible, prosecute the perpetrators. White victims do not suffer any of the degrading treatment, lack of protocol, and general disinterest that black victims once, and in some cases still, suffered.

Graham Dart
senior, music and economics