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Opinion
The Battalion
Page 5 * Wednesday, June 26, 2002
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Is the Corps in need of change?
A former cadet and a non-reg discuss the current state of the Corps of Cadets
CADET
MARIANO CASTILLO
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he controversy that has
resulted from a police
investigation into photos
,0t alleged hazing in the Corps
■f Cadets has blown the cir
cumstances of the incident out
If proportion. It is unfortunate
liat a childish prank on the part of a handful of immature
(fedets has sparked a debate that is resulting in inane and
Idiculous accusations against the Corps.
I The Corps, also called The Keepers of the Spirit, is the
■lost recognized student organization on campus, and is just
relevant to the University today as it was in 1876.
I The Corps has a wound exposed, and neither the cadets
tl jmselves nor the rest of the University community are
luite sure how to react. Ridiculous suggestions to disband or
lyvamp the Corps and the silly defense of “if you’re not in
lie Corps you cannot understand” equally waste space in let
ters to the editor and online forums.
I Many outsiders are hastily passing judgment against the
lorps and overlooking the pivotal role the Corps has in
A&M's history and future. The incident, a stupid prank gone
public, has left the Corps understandably red-faced, but that
ip no reason for critics to discredit the fact that for the thou
sands of cadets that have walked Final Review, the Corps
Was the most rewarding experience of their lives. This is a
Challenge for current cadets to show they can handle them
selves with dignity and grace under fire, and to prove their
: critics wrong with their actions.
With New Student Conferences in full swing, the most
important aspect to consider is the effect that bickering
between Corps and non-Corps members is having on incom
ing freshmen who are considering joining A&M’s oldest stu
dent organization.
i Members of the Class of 2006 and their parents should
feel confident in the opportunities the Corps offers. Every
incoming freshman needs to know that now, during its time
ol crisis, the Corps needs a strong pool of fish who demon
strate leadership potential.
Many years ago, Gen. O.R. Simpson offered some words
of advice to incoming freshmen in the article, “Should I Join
the Corps?” His reasons were compelling, and his language
^was clear and insightful. Texas A&M and the world have
changed dramatically since Gen. Simpson wrote his article,
iput his five main reasons still ring true.
9 1 209 Simpson said you should join the Corps: “If you would
5 6 186 Me to become one of a small, close knit group of freshmen
in your outfit.”
2 12 203 “If you want to be in a study environment where you have
- tlie opportunity to do your very best academically — which,
** after all, is why you came to A&M in the first place.”
■ “If you like to compete — in the classroom or on the
1 of the be playing field.”
uvner Mikg “if y OU are w injng to be a follower for a while observing
and following proven leaders.”
IL w ' t ' 1 I “If you want to be a part of an organization with great
lar seasi p r j c j e an( j ^jgf, standards.”
'OUsbeMI jhg Seated debate over the alleged hazing is a reminder
jftheC t f at j n the c or p S \ s not easy. The Corps needs freshmen
in D<- !! 0 f strong character, who want to sharpen their leadership
nc ^ c s ‘ skills in an organization that is not designed to be easy.
us .. Cadets have been successful in many facets of campus
M* Y? ^ e ’ anc * P arents should not let a stupid prank dissuade them
1 (f^;: fr om supporting their sons and daughters’ interest in the
ie : Corps. For all of the criticism the Corps receives for the mis-
. takes of a few of its members, the Corps is the best hands-on
leadership lab in the state. Just ask the outgoing University
president, or his vice president for student affairs. Or the stu
dent body president, or any of the five yell leaders. Or ask
|ny of the hundreds of current and former cadets as they pass
tugal, M ^ on campus. The Corps of Cadets has a history of training
40-by-^ SOme °f our nation’s best leaders, and will continue to do so
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Mariano Castillo is a former
member of the Corps of Cadets.
NON-REG
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RICHARD BRAY
RUBEN DEXUNA ♦ THE BATTALION
ne photo. Just one photo,
(yet it has created a defi
nite divide on the Texas
A&M campus. On one hand are
those who support the actions
of the Corps of Cadets and
despise The Battalion for vio
lating its privacy during a moment of good, clean fun. On the
other hand are those who see the photos as acts of hazing for
which the offending cadets should be punished. Frankly, it is
difficult to see how anyone who had the unfortunate experi
ence of seeing these pictures could see these actions as any
thing other than hazing.
The only requirements under the law Brazos County
Attorney Jim Kuboviak named for criminal hazing were that the
actions had to have taken place against the victim’s will or that
it must have caused physical or emotional pain, and judging
from the victim’s facial expressions in some of the photos, he
was in some degree of pain. In all likelihood, the process of
removing the duct tape resulted in physical pain as well.
However, Kuboviak found no basis for criminal hazing
charges. Although such news is discouraging, it is important
that the A&M community remembers why some form of pun
ishment is necessary in the first place. The primary purpose is
not to force discipline upon the cadets for their brutal stupidity,
but to issue a warning to future generations of cadets who feel a
similar urge.
The problem is that the Corps has cultivated an atmos
phere which not only allows such delinquent behavior, but
also encourages it by allowing each generation of new cadets
to be accosted by the previous generation. As a result, they
learn such primal behavior, and some emulate it, not realizing
that actions such as the ones captured in the photographs may
constitute assault.
Not only are cadets allowed to abuse each other, but they
have also developed a mentality which claims that the rest of
campus, especially The Battalion, does not understand their
method of shaping young men. As a result, a great number of
them are all too anxious to place blame on anyone but them
selves, as evidenced by the anger at The Battalion's coverage
of both the alleged hazing and the cadet arrested for child
pornography. This atmosphere does not encourage the Corps to
correct their weaknesses, but merely allows them to place
blame elsewhere.
In order to change this atmosphere, the Corps must be more
strict in its admissions policies. Admittedly, the Corps does not
have a wealth of applicants from which to choose, and to be
selective would cause its numbers to dwindle. But, to continue
to allow sub-par applicants into the organization only serves to
embarrass the Corps and the University.
What is amazing is that despite the cultural environment
which contributed to the alleged hazing incident, there are many
among the Corps’ who recognize that the cadets who engaged
in this behavior deserve whatever punishment they might
receive. These actions were merely the blunders of a small
minority and do not accurately represent the maturity or mind
set of the entire Corps.
However, every time a cadet acts in a manner unbecoming of
their position as leaders on this campus, it will be in the news.
As the self-proclaimed Keepers of the Spirit, cadets must be
willing to shoulder this responsibility and accept it.
Some are not prepared for such responsibility. Whether it is
due to a lack of emotional strength, a lack of maturity or a sim
ple case of good old-fashioned stupidity, some individuals do
not belong among the Corps of Cadets. These individuals sully
the name of an organization that is virtually synonymous with
Texas A&M, and their membership in the Corps does not
strengthen the organization with their numbers but actually
serves to weaken it.
In order to prevent such embarrassing behavior from repeat
ing itself, the Corps must have more stringent guidelines in who
it accepts. While its population would decrease, it would consist
of only the elite who deserve such honor. If the Corps is not
cleansed of its sub-par cadets, the entire organization will be
tarnished beyond repair, to the detriment of both the Corps and
the University.
Richard Bray is a senior
journalism major.
ickelodeon program taught proper values
Topic of homosexuality on children's channel taught tolerance and respect
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JENELLE WILSON
ast week, Nickelodeon, as a
part of their “Nick News”
series, aired a special televi
sion program that had many conser-
gVative family groups upset. The
Program, “My Family Is Different,”
Ireatured nine adolescents dis-
Jpussing the issue of homosexual parenting and the treatment or
Iphildren from gay or lesbian families.
Conservative organizations such as the Traditional Values
oalition and Concerned Women For America now feel that par
ents cannot trust the network, and Nickelodeon is no longer a
Jsafe harbor” for children. They claim the television program pro-
Pioted homosexuality.
It did not. The show only promoted respect and tolerance.
The Traditional Values Coalition (TVC) worked for weeks to
force Nickelodeon to cancel the show, even though it was origi
nally invited to appear. Andrea Lafferty, the TVC director, stated
|that because this issue pertains to such a small percentage of c u -
jffren, it is “very clear what Nickelodeon s agenda is.
? Due to the social stigma associated with homosexuality and
homosexual parenting, it is difficult to know exactly how many
children are growing up with gay or lesbian parents. According to
he American Academy of Pediatrics, the number is estimated to be
anywhere between one and nine million. Despite the assertions of
more traditional groups that the subject matter is not appropriate for
children, with millions of America’s youth living in homosexual
families, the issue must be talked about in a respectful manner.
Linda Ellerbee, the show’s host, producer and writer, did
just that.
The nine adolescents featured on the program ranged from 12
to 15 years of age. They varied in ethnic background, race and
religion. Three of the nine were from a homosexual family. Three
homosexual adults were also present during the taping: talk show
host Rosie O’Donnell, Mark French, a principal from Minnesota,
and Tom Ryan, a New York City firefighter.
The show began with the story of a 12-year-old girl named
Sarah who is from a two-mother household. Sarah’s story was a
perfect example of what the show is trying to prevent. During the
show, she said she goes to school thinking “what am I going to
hear about myself today?” She has lied about who her mother’s
partner is in fear of being teased about her family’s makeup. She
is afraid of the cruel words thrown at her.
Despite their differences and individual opinions on homosex
ual parenting, all of the kids on the program agreed that hate,
discrimination and intolerance are unacceptable. They stated that
they would defend a peer with homosexual parents if they were
being teased.
The show allowed adult opponents of homosexuality and
homosexual parenting to voice their opinions as well. Reverend
Jerry Falwell, who partially blamed homosexuals for the Sept. 11
attacks, appeared on the show. He joined the nine adolescents in
saying children of gay and lesbian parents should not be discrim
inated against.
The award-winning “Nick News” series is designed to raise
awareness for adolescents, and homosexual parenting is simply
another controversial issue the series has addressed. Programs
have aired about AIDS, racism, the Sept. 11 attacks, the backlash
against Muslims and the condition of children in Afghanistan.
Not every child in the United States comes from a “traditional”
two-parent family, and Americans should not simply ignore the
ones that do not. Linda Ellerbee is also planning more “My
Family Is Different” programs discussing kids from interracial
families and those effected by divorce.
Nickelodeon was right in not bowing to the pressure from the
conservative family groups that tried to stop the program from
airing. The show did not address whether homosexuality is moral
ly or socially right or wrong.
It was not propaganda; it was not about sex. It was simply
about tolerance and respect, and many adults could learn from
what these kids had to say.
Jenelle Wilson is a junior
political science major.