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March 2001

E-disrespect crashes onto student created websites

You sit down and log onto a personal website which you’ve heard was quite entertaining through some of your friends. As the site begins to load, you see several various negative comments and criticisms toward certain students. Yes, some of these comments may be amusing, but should the creator of the website have the right to make such criticisms on their site?

Well, we all know that we live in a world of controversy. whether a person has the right to perform an action, or the right to verbally say something. Yes, we have a freedom of speech, as well as of press, but this subject seems to cross over into ethical and morality issues rather than constitutional dilemmas. Is it really helping anyone, including you, to simply bash certain topics and people just because you have the right?

Our society is already filled to the brim with so much hatred and negativity on the television, radio and papers. Why add the negativity on websites as well? Reality is not always full of sunshine and smiley faces, but why not show our negative comments in a more respectful, constructive way. Constructive criticism always seems to be easier to listen to rather than hateful comments on a subject.

It is true that for those who do not agree with these hateful comments on personal websites do not have to go onto them in the first place. However, why add more negativity to an already negative world? If someone does not agree with a negative comment, they are much more likely to respect your point of view if it is stated in an intellectual, constructive manner. By attacking your subject, they are more likely to not listen to your side of the story, and less likely to become convinced that your side is correct.

Although we do have these rights to speak freely, we should not take advantage of these rights by using them in a negative way for the sole purpose of hurting people. Take some time to state your point constructively, while getting your point across much more clearly. This will in turn help you to state your point and make it less offensive to other.

Emily Olliver
Staff Writer