The College Fix

OPINION

So, at the Fredericksburg, Va., University of Mary Washington, its student newspaper will be changing its name from The Bullet to The Blue & Gray Press, Campus Reform reports.

Apparently the term “bullet” is offensive.

“The editorial board felt that the paper’s name, which alludes to ammunition for an artillery weapon, propagated violence and did not honor our school’s history in a sensitive manner,” the press release provided to Campus Reform states.

Well, that’s one way of looking at it. Another way is that you get your news in a speedy fashion. Or it’s a reminder of your Second Amendment rights. Or, bullet as in “bullet points,” which highlight or denote news and information. Or – it’s catchy. Certainly more catchy than The Blue & Gray Press, sheesh.

What is happening to our nation, when just reading the word “bullet” apparently “propagates violence” – good grief!

But here is where the story gets even more appalling.

Alison Thoet, the paper’s editor-in-chief, told Campus Reform in an interview that the editorial board felt the old name was “a little outdated” and was more representative of the Fredericksburg, Va., community’s ties to the Civil War and not the school as a whole.

“In this day and age, no one really cares about the Civil War. We wanted something that was updated,” Thoet said.

Wait, what? “In this day and age, no one really cares about the Civil War.” “In this day and age, no one really cares about the Civil War”?!?!

It appears that Ms. Thoet is the one that is completely out of touch with reality and the community surrounding her. The Virginia I know is steeped in history, tradition, and remembering and honoring its past, warts and all. And Americans as a whole still very much care about the Civil War, one of the most defining moments in our nation’s history. Let’s never ever stop caring about the Civil War.

Not to mention, blue and gray (the school’s official colors) is more of a reminder of the Civil War than the innocuous term “bullet.” This whole idea from top to bottom is horrible.

But wait, there is a glimmer of hope. The name change is part of an overall newspaper revamp set to debut in early September.

“The name change won’t be official until UMW’s Student Activities and Engagement Office gives final approval, but the publication’s website has already changed its URL,” Campus Reform reports.

Great – here is the Student Activities and Engagement Office director and co-director’s contact info.

Ethan Feuer
Director
Email: [email protected]
Megan Petter
Assistant Director
Email: [email protected]

Maybe zip them an email and tell them this is a huge mistake and clearly a decision made by a handful of ignorant, thin-skinned, politically correct students.

Jennifer Kabbany is editor of The College Fix ( @JenniferKabbany )

Like The College Fix on Facebook / Follow us on Twitter

IMAGES: Gage Skidmore, main; inside, Cellar Door Films