Thank you to all those who have the strength, knowledge and just the audacity to respond to what we write.
I hear a lot of talk, as in any area, but have seen no action. No one has the balls or courage to stand up and actually take action for what they believe in.
I write, and many people view my words. I choose to take action while others choose to complain. There’s no fault against me for doing my part to secure a valid and respected position in society. I have taken my action and will continue to do so.
You, on the other hand, have some work to do.
I commend those few in number but bold persons who respond to what we write and those who let us know how they feel about what’s written and may even correct us.
Some have written us with incorrect facts to justify how we do things and I have some words to the ignorant.
The Famuan is a professional newspaper. Yes it is run and managed by students, but it is not to be mistaken for a student newspaper. This newspaper is on a totally different level than the local high school paper.
Some awards to credit our success are: the William Randolph Hearst Award, the Society of Professional Journalist Mark of Excellence, Southern Regional Press and the Associated Collegiate Press, just to name a few. And now we are finalists in the running for the Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker award, the oldest most prestigious award crediting collegiate success.
Also, out of the 47 finalists, we are the first and only HBCU to be in this competition.
Thus, a word to the ignorant, we are better than you think we are. We have accepted our role in society to do and stand up for what we believe in. We have practiced time and time again our basic rights. We have a voice, and we use it.
If anyone should have a problem with that, respond in the ways we ask you to. We have a “Letter to the Editor” section, a “Question and Answer” section, and at the top of every page is an e-mail address. Use it.
We are here for you, but if you talk and say things without taking action to help us produce what you would like to see, we can’t help you.
However, this request is not just that you do this for us, do this for yourself. There is a lesson to be learned here. You were given a voice and a mind to do something. If you engage in idle conversation with your so-called friends and do nothing but complain, things will never get fixed.
Stand up for and use your basic human rights. And while doing so, remember to always educate yourself before you disgrace yourself.
Robyn K. Mizelle, 20, is a junior broadcast student from Lake City. She is the Deputy Opinions Editor for The Famuan and can be reached at RKMiz@hotmail.com.