Giving Bobcats support

Editor,

I am a very competitive person and an avid sports fan, especially of our Ohio Bobcats. I really like to share in the thrill of victory, and my heart goes out to the players when we end up on the short end of the scoreboard. This season has been a particularly difficult year of rebuilding and working through injury problems for the Ohio men's basketball team. However, I take issue with Richard Willy's Turnstile "Embarrassing on and off the court," Feb. 10, that dubs the team a "total embarrassment to OU on the court and off the court."

Regardless of how much any of us likes to win, any team or individual is going to have tough times. It is during those tough times, though, that individuals and teams have the opportunity to demonstrate character, and the nature of that character is tremendously important. As a quick glance around The Convo during games will indicate, devoted Bobcat fans include young people from the Athens community.

Although they might not have been able to share as many victories with "their" team as in previous years, these young Bobcat fans have been able to witness student athletes who refuse to give up (even when the odds of a comeback seem formidable), who refuse to resort to acts of frustration (even when they must certainly be frustrated) and who refuse to be anything other than fine competitive role models.

Along with the rest of us, except for Mr. Willy, those young fans experienced the thrill of a game last Thursday when records were broken and hopes were raised because this team refused to let injuries and, to some extent, inexperience in working together come between them and a hard-earned win.

Mr. Willy, this team is anything BUT an "embarrassment," and our coach and our team deserve much better from their fans than criticism and pessimism. Don't give up on either our coach or our team, Bobcat fans (and notable others), because it is very clear that the members of the men's basketball team refuse to give up on themselves. That, Mr. Willy, is a mark of good character that no score on any scoreboard can take away from them.

Christina S. Beck
BECK@ouvaxa.cats.ohiou.edu

Giving a bad impression

Editor,

I am writing in reference to the wall painted by the Swarm of Dykes at the beginning of the week. I am a strong advocate of freedom of speech, but I found the painting offensive.

I believe that, as an organization, Swarm of Dykes has a right to advertise their meetings, but doing so in an offensive way is not a means to gain respect or understanding. Painting the wall with meeting times and slogans is an efficient way to express the pride within an organization. Painting it with a picture of a naked female body, sexual innuendos and words such as lubrication is not. I applaud the Swarm of Dykes and other organizations that have used shock tactics to attempt to get people out of their shells and increase awareness, but this time it has gone to far.

When people such as prospective students, parents and visitors come to see our community and view the wall, they might be confused about the message. They might not understand the message Swarm of Dykes is trying to convey and just see the vulgarity painted on university property. This leaves a negative impression of our respectable community and the organization itself. In the future, maybe Swarm of Dykes could work with the community to increase awareness and not offend us with its vulgarity.

Melanie Bassett
mb772596@oak.cats.ohiou.edu

Giving you a chance

Editor,

On Feb. 28, the Black Man Think Tank Committee will be presenting the fourth Black Man Think Tank in Baker Center. This year, our keynote speakers will be Dr. Eric Abercrombie, Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu and Nashid Fahkrid-Deen. Along with these speakers, there will be several workshops on various topics throughout the event. The theme of this year's Think Tank is "Transformation: Mind, Body and Soul."

It is important to note that all are welcome to attend this year's Think Tank. While the Think Tank is developed by and intended for African-American males, some of the workshops will be covering topics that can relate to anyone. More importantly, the Think Tank will give those who are not African-American males an insight into our experience.

Cost of the conference is $10 for students and $15 for non-students who pre-register by Feb. 15. After the 15th, the cost is $20 for all participants, so we encourage all of you to register as soon as possible.

To request a registration form or get more information, contact Rex Crawley, Black Man Think Tank coordinator, at 597-7349 or e-mail crawley@ohiou.edu.

Do not miss your chance to be part of a stellar event. The Think Tank Committee looks forward to seeing you all Feb. 28.

Phill Cunningham
pc261495@oak.cats.ohiou.edu