Re: “Six officers needed to take down student” Oct. 16, 2009

To the editor:

Is this headline supposed to be editorial or hard news? It is obvious that this uproar has occurred, not because of the individual’s actions, but because of the video that clearly shows violence that some may consider excessive.

I would argue that it wasn’t even the number of police officers involved. It is the hitting and punching and kneeing that need to be considered. Why [hasn’t the Gazette] interviewed someone involved in police training to determine whether or not this use of force was excessive? If your attempt is to be objective, you need to look at all sides.

The article reads like an argument. It’s not even trying to be objective. Instead of justifying the actions of the police based on context you need to delve deep into why people are so scandalized. Was this use of force appropriate in this situation? This is the question that needs to be answered.

Stop evading it, stop mindlessly quoting officials. This is important to the students at Western. It involves the safety of our campus.

Unlike some, I would not try to liken this beating to the Rodney King beating. What I will say is that when it is suspected that an injustice has occurred, it is the media’s job to try to strip away the layers.

Step outside of the structure of power to really look at what’s going on here. Otherwise you’re just going to be the mouthpieces of Western and the police by defending their actions. Western is relying on you to be critical.

— Sarah Hewitt
FIMS Graduate ‘09