Where The Truth Lies

BY ELIZABETH PFEFFER
Staff Writer

RODGER OCON / GUARDSMAN

These days, being up in arms about the news is uber trendy. As films like “Outfoxed” and “Shattered Glass” get the public riled up, media watchdogs are calling out shady journalists from elite news organizations.

Stephen Glass fabricated 27 of the 41 stories he wrote for The New Republic, reporter Jayson Blair admitted to doctoring up almost 40 pieces for The New York Times, and USA Today hotshot Jack Kelley confessed to falsifying articles for over a decade.

The journalism community should condemn writers who submit bogus stories without stigmatizing legitimate reporters for sharing an occupation with them.

The world is holding the press under scrutiny. Certain individuals in all professions have perverse ethics, but what other field is so broadly discredited by the acts of so few? The notion that journalism could be spoiled due to the misdeeds of a few is like a few bad presidents eternally tarnishing the Oval Office.

Journalists who misuse their power expose their own lack of integrity, not that of the profession. It was colleagues of Glass, Blair and Kelley who exposed them.

Deception will undoubtedly continue to be present in the media, because to expect perfection would suggest that journalists are not human.

The likelihood of information in the paper being true is greater than by word of mouth. With some obvious exceptions, professional journalists are micromanaged by their editors and undergo thorough supervision. Overall, news is more reliable than the proverbial game of telephone.

Here are some options of people to trust if not journalists: Condoleezza Rice, Sam Walton, your mom, Oprah, Bill Gates or Tim Robbins. If you choose to get your news from people with agendas, what you hear probably originated from some journalistic entity anyway.

The fact is, reporting the happenings of the world without bias is a characteristic unique to journalism. Therefore it is indispensable.

With all the information getting thrown at people on a daily basis, most stories go in one ear and out the other. When a piece of news flirts with the reader, they are responsible for delving deeper.

Journalists should be innocent until proven guilty. The news is safe to believe. If you doubt that, check it yourself.

e-mail: epfeffer@theguardsman.com

Becoming Educado

BY FRANCISCO FERNANDEZ
Contributing Writer

Education is like mental aerobics — as we learn and acquire knowledge we also develop our powers of reasoning and judgment.

We have high expectations about what education will help us achieve. We should, given our investment of time and money. We expect to come away prepared for our careers, to command more money in the job market, and of course with the piece of paper that will make it all possible.

For my parents — who came to this country from Cuba and Mexico — the key to survival was education. Their definition of “educado” (or educated person) was someone who knew how to act and how to behave like an adult. Education was comprised of moral and character traits like respect, honesty, humility, kindness, consideration and good manners.

In Los Angeles public schools I picked up the moral and character traits of the streets. I learned to walk the walk, talk the talk and how to get by. My freshman class had 1,500 students, only one-third would graduate. For those who did graduate, college seemed out of the question. We had a piece of paper to show for the 12 long years we spent institutionalized. We were ecstatic to finally be done, but the euphoria quickly subsided to the lingering question: “Now what?”

My education began in earnest after high school. It was out in the real world where I was truly tested. I was categorized, marginalized and stigmatized solely based on where I was from, how I walked and talked, and how I groomed and dressed. I was judged by the gatekeepers of society who knew nothing about me. I was angry, immature and resentful. I was confused and I had no direction. Twelve years of public education left me totally unprepared for life in the real world.

At City College I have cultivated the skills to improve the quality of my life and continue my education. Self-respect and respect from others has come from a sense of pride in my accomplishments. Everyone around me is contributing to my education and success; I represent them all wherever I go.

City College is more than just a high school with ashtrays, it is an opportunity to find the answer to the question, “Now what?” This is a place to challenge yourself to develop and mature, to bring honor to yourself and to all those people who have helped you on your way forward.

Most of us are just passing through here on our way to waiting careers. You may get a lot for your hard work and money but one thing you won’t get is a guarantee. So when you graduate and receive the piece of paper that is the key to your future, make sure you have given yourself the chance to become “educado.” Good moral and character traits are not cheap commodities.

e-mail: editorial@theguardsman.com

COMING IN

Faculty Poll

In January of this year Harvard President Lawrence Summers provoked participants at an academic conference for women and minorities by citing research suggesting that women do not have the same “innate ability” that men have in some fields.

Do you think there is a subject that women learn easier than men?

Yes: 20% (2 out of 10)

No: 80% (8 out of 10)

“Yes, in all subjects.”
Emily Glines, Americorps

“Yes, in psychology because women think more than men.”
David Samuels, business

“No. Whatever anyone is interested in, they can do well at.”
Roger King, physics

“I don’t think that it is gender-driven, but by ability and exposure at an early age.”
Mary Argenti, music

ON THE RECORD

What is the most impressive tattoo you have ever seen?

Bryan Gadourel

"Mine, It's original, and no one has it because I designed it."

Harry Brown

"Mine, because it’s God’s gift to get out of the ghetto and that gift is Basketball.”

Triezy A


"Mine, because Lubyrd did the left arm cross. My other one is my daughter's name."

Robert Lau

"When I saw someone with angels wings on their back. I like wings and I would like a tat like these skulls."

Al Owlshus

"The best one is the one on Method Mans’ arms which says ‘life’ when it’s up and ‘death’ when it’s down. It’s cool because it’s the same tat."

T. Maillet

"Mine, it’s a Native American Tomahawk. It’s great because I am part Native American and it’s my heritage."