A letter to Mr. Brosnan
I wrote this letter to Mr. Brosnan after the monarch staff was given a memo about proper writing conduct and procedures. This memo basically said that our articles should support/praise Mitty. I'll try to scrounge up a copy and post it here, but you'll get the idea from my letter. I wrote directly to Brosnan in the hopes of getting around Robinson, the actual big cheese, because Mr. Brosnan is far nicer than Robinson. I was thwarted, however, as Robinson intercepted and responded to the letter. His response was short and beside the point (no surprises there), and basically said that i was wrong to think i was disliked and that he was insulted by my skepticism about the sincerity of the graduation goals. I have the response around here somewhere, so if i find it i will post it. Without further ado, the letter.
January 16, 2002
Dear Mr. Brosnan,
I am writing in regard to the treatment of the newspaper staff and the recent crackdown on journalistic procedure. There are a few things I would like to say without fear of being intimidated or belittled. I want you to know that I mean no disrespect by anything in this letter, nor do I wish to challenge anyone’s authority. I simply wish you to know my feelings on the issues.
You appear to be under the impression that I, as well as my colleagues, comprise a band of lawless resolutes bent on bringing down the establishment. This is simply not true. The subjects we discuss in our articles are not meant to incite rebellion or tarnish the school’s image. We simply write what we see. I cannot speak for all of my writers, but I know that every single piece that I write deals with an issue that means something to me, as well as other students. I don’t snatch up any issue that comes along simply because I know it will stir up trouble, and I don’t simply write about things that I feel particularly bitter about at a given moment. I wouldn’t waste my time with something I didn’t care about.
The writers of opinion articles speak not only for themselves, but for the entire student body. I have received much assent from a wide variety of students on many articles. We write about things that matter to all of us. We do feel that our individuality is stifled, we do feel we are technologically impaired, we do feel that we should be warned when dancing inappropriately, we do feel things get worse every year. It is not a select few angry honors students who agree, it is everyone. You believed my survey was unscientific and that the conclusions I drew were incorrect, but that survey represented student opinion as I know it almost perfectly. The conclusions I drew were based on the experience of myself and of those around me. It was not simply an excuse to rant about the school again.
Why do you feel so threatened by what we have to say? If you fear that our comments will give current and prospective customers a tainted notion of our school, perhaps there is something greater afoot than my opinion. If you fear that parents will agree with us, then maybe we are right. Instead of trying to censor our opinions, maybe you should embrace them. I think people would be much more inclined to attend a school at which the administration values student input. If you think our criticism of the school will be shared by readers, maybe you should stop doing the things we criticize instead of keeping us from pointing them out. I agree with you that the newspaper should be an educational tool. I do not, however, agree that it should be a tool of propaganda. If we are really to learn what it means to be a journalist, we must learn to find the truth. The truth does not mean what will make the school look good or what will protect everyone’s feelings. The truth is not warm and fuzzy, and it is not always “positive.” I realize that some of our articles, especially mine, may not have exhibited the degree of respect that they should have, and for that I apologize. I do believe, however, that we would all be much more inclined to reach a compromise with you if you did not treat us like children.
I wrote an article this year entitle “What we have become,” which dealt with a loss of individuality. By censoring our paper and molding our opinions for us, you are proving my point. I realize that there are certain values you wish Mitty students to uphold, especially as a Catholic school. However, you can not expect us all to think the same way or to have the same opinion about Mitty that you do. Mitty is home to some very bright students, and those students are bound to be different from one another. We will have opinions of our own, and those opinions may not parallel yours. I do not believe, however, that that makes them bad. I think that if Mitty is to be a place of learning and intellectual competence, a clash of opinions is necessary. The ability to learn from one another is essential.
Often I feel as though we (students and administrators) regard one another as enemies, rather than humans. You see us as inferiors, and we see you as oppressors. Retreats are a testament to the fact that we are both human beings. The fact that you attend retreats shows that you really do care about students as people rather than just customers. However, it seems that once back in the administrative chair, that respect dissipates. One of the things I love about Mitty is the close relationships students have with their teachers. Teachers respect students and value their thoughts and ideas, and students, in turn, respect the teachers and are willing to learn. Teachers can exhibit authority and still maintain friendship with their students. This is something I feel students and administrators do not share. Of course, the principal, vice principals, and dean of any school are expected to wield greater authority than teachers. That doesn’t mean, however, that we students must feel insignificant. Maybe I’m going out on a limb here, but I think that a school should be a place to learn cooperation and respect, not simply subordination.
You mentioned that all articles should promote the five graduation outcomes, but I have to wonder if you really mean all Opinions articles. I’m sure our news articles and sports articles are not expected to promote intellectual competence, leadership, and faith. Such a task would be impossible. I also fail to see how anyone can write an honest opinion that has value and makes a real point and still adhere to your guidelines. Basically, your guidelines prohibit anyone from writing opinions that do not make Mitty look wonderful.
The distinction was made between The Monarch and a college or city newspaper. If we follow all of your guidelines, however, what makes The Monarch a newspaper at all? It becomes simply another Mitty Magazine, with a few “yay-Mitty” opinions thrown in. In addition, as we are a college preparatory school, don’t you think that any journalistic education we receive should prepare us for college as well? Colleges foster individuality and independent thinking, Mitty seems to foster conformity. Isn’t there a way we can compromise?
I joined the newspaper staff because I wanted to make a difference at my school. Throughout our education we learn about people who stood up for what they believed in. Some were successful, and some were martyrs. All are regarded as heroes. I wanted to be like them. I wanted to be Owen Meany, “The Voice,” calling attention to deficiencies in the system so that they could be corrected. I thought that as an intelligent individual, my opinion would carry weight. Perhaps I was mistaken. In any case, I never intended for it to come to this. I never intended for student opinion in general to be stifled. Perhaps it would have been more appropriate for me to bring my concerns directly to you, rather than publishing them. Nevertheless, I do believe that, even at a private school, students have a right to free speech. We may be young, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have good ideas.
I think that in my career as a newspaper staff member I have upheld all of the graduation goals. I have been a leader by encouraging students to stand up for what they believe in and not be afraid to say what is in their hearts. I have sought justice by pointing out what I perceive to be the truth. I have displayed intellectual competence, thinking through each issue carefully before I write about it, and never saying anything I cannot back up with evidence. Each of my articles has discussed an issue of respect, always seeking to promote respect toward a party who receives too little. As for faith, if my religious education has taught me anything it is to hold on to what I believe is right, no matter what. That is what I have done. I believe that it is infinitely more important to live these values than just to put up posters and talk about them.
I know that you do not like me very much because of what I have to say. It saddens me to be the victim of such animosity, just because my views are not what you would like them to be. I’m really not a mean person, as those close to me might tell you. I am simply strong-willed and refuse to back down from issues I feel strongly about.
Sincerely,
Sara Triplett
January 16, 2002
Dear Mr. Brosnan,
I am writing in regard to the treatment of the newspaper staff and the recent crackdown on journalistic procedure. There are a few things I would like to say without fear of being intimidated or belittled. I want you to know that I mean no disrespect by anything in this letter, nor do I wish to challenge anyone’s authority. I simply wish you to know my feelings on the issues.
You appear to be under the impression that I, as well as my colleagues, comprise a band of lawless resolutes bent on bringing down the establishment. This is simply not true. The subjects we discuss in our articles are not meant to incite rebellion or tarnish the school’s image. We simply write what we see. I cannot speak for all of my writers, but I know that every single piece that I write deals with an issue that means something to me, as well as other students. I don’t snatch up any issue that comes along simply because I know it will stir up trouble, and I don’t simply write about things that I feel particularly bitter about at a given moment. I wouldn’t waste my time with something I didn’t care about.
The writers of opinion articles speak not only for themselves, but for the entire student body. I have received much assent from a wide variety of students on many articles. We write about things that matter to all of us. We do feel that our individuality is stifled, we do feel we are technologically impaired, we do feel that we should be warned when dancing inappropriately, we do feel things get worse every year. It is not a select few angry honors students who agree, it is everyone. You believed my survey was unscientific and that the conclusions I drew were incorrect, but that survey represented student opinion as I know it almost perfectly. The conclusions I drew were based on the experience of myself and of those around me. It was not simply an excuse to rant about the school again.
Why do you feel so threatened by what we have to say? If you fear that our comments will give current and prospective customers a tainted notion of our school, perhaps there is something greater afoot than my opinion. If you fear that parents will agree with us, then maybe we are right. Instead of trying to censor our opinions, maybe you should embrace them. I think people would be much more inclined to attend a school at which the administration values student input. If you think our criticism of the school will be shared by readers, maybe you should stop doing the things we criticize instead of keeping us from pointing them out. I agree with you that the newspaper should be an educational tool. I do not, however, agree that it should be a tool of propaganda. If we are really to learn what it means to be a journalist, we must learn to find the truth. The truth does not mean what will make the school look good or what will protect everyone’s feelings. The truth is not warm and fuzzy, and it is not always “positive.” I realize that some of our articles, especially mine, may not have exhibited the degree of respect that they should have, and for that I apologize. I do believe, however, that we would all be much more inclined to reach a compromise with you if you did not treat us like children.
I wrote an article this year entitle “What we have become,” which dealt with a loss of individuality. By censoring our paper and molding our opinions for us, you are proving my point. I realize that there are certain values you wish Mitty students to uphold, especially as a Catholic school. However, you can not expect us all to think the same way or to have the same opinion about Mitty that you do. Mitty is home to some very bright students, and those students are bound to be different from one another. We will have opinions of our own, and those opinions may not parallel yours. I do not believe, however, that that makes them bad. I think that if Mitty is to be a place of learning and intellectual competence, a clash of opinions is necessary. The ability to learn from one another is essential.
Often I feel as though we (students and administrators) regard one another as enemies, rather than humans. You see us as inferiors, and we see you as oppressors. Retreats are a testament to the fact that we are both human beings. The fact that you attend retreats shows that you really do care about students as people rather than just customers. However, it seems that once back in the administrative chair, that respect dissipates. One of the things I love about Mitty is the close relationships students have with their teachers. Teachers respect students and value their thoughts and ideas, and students, in turn, respect the teachers and are willing to learn. Teachers can exhibit authority and still maintain friendship with their students. This is something I feel students and administrators do not share. Of course, the principal, vice principals, and dean of any school are expected to wield greater authority than teachers. That doesn’t mean, however, that we students must feel insignificant. Maybe I’m going out on a limb here, but I think that a school should be a place to learn cooperation and respect, not simply subordination.
You mentioned that all articles should promote the five graduation outcomes, but I have to wonder if you really mean all Opinions articles. I’m sure our news articles and sports articles are not expected to promote intellectual competence, leadership, and faith. Such a task would be impossible. I also fail to see how anyone can write an honest opinion that has value and makes a real point and still adhere to your guidelines. Basically, your guidelines prohibit anyone from writing opinions that do not make Mitty look wonderful.
The distinction was made between The Monarch and a college or city newspaper. If we follow all of your guidelines, however, what makes The Monarch a newspaper at all? It becomes simply another Mitty Magazine, with a few “yay-Mitty” opinions thrown in. In addition, as we are a college preparatory school, don’t you think that any journalistic education we receive should prepare us for college as well? Colleges foster individuality and independent thinking, Mitty seems to foster conformity. Isn’t there a way we can compromise?
I joined the newspaper staff because I wanted to make a difference at my school. Throughout our education we learn about people who stood up for what they believed in. Some were successful, and some were martyrs. All are regarded as heroes. I wanted to be like them. I wanted to be Owen Meany, “The Voice,” calling attention to deficiencies in the system so that they could be corrected. I thought that as an intelligent individual, my opinion would carry weight. Perhaps I was mistaken. In any case, I never intended for it to come to this. I never intended for student opinion in general to be stifled. Perhaps it would have been more appropriate for me to bring my concerns directly to you, rather than publishing them. Nevertheless, I do believe that, even at a private school, students have a right to free speech. We may be young, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have good ideas.
I think that in my career as a newspaper staff member I have upheld all of the graduation goals. I have been a leader by encouraging students to stand up for what they believe in and not be afraid to say what is in their hearts. I have sought justice by pointing out what I perceive to be the truth. I have displayed intellectual competence, thinking through each issue carefully before I write about it, and never saying anything I cannot back up with evidence. Each of my articles has discussed an issue of respect, always seeking to promote respect toward a party who receives too little. As for faith, if my religious education has taught me anything it is to hold on to what I believe is right, no matter what. That is what I have done. I believe that it is infinitely more important to live these values than just to put up posters and talk about them.
I know that you do not like me very much because of what I have to say. It saddens me to be the victim of such animosity, just because my views are not what you would like them to be. I’m really not a mean person, as those close to me might tell you. I am simply strong-willed and refuse to back down from issues I feel strongly about.
Sincerely,
Sara Triplett
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