As a college student, what problems can you possibly have that are best resolved through gunplay? We are at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.
No one is fighting over drug turf or intimidating snitches like on “The Wire,” and you do not have to avenge your home boy’s gang-related death. Therefore, it is incomprehensible why anyone on a college campus would have to fire shots and endanger others.
Late Saturday night, shots were fired in the Palmetto apartment compound.
Fortunately, the FAMU Department of Public Safety used the e2campus alert text messaging system to send prompt warnings for people to avoid the Palmetto area. At around 12:15 a.m., another message was sent to say that no injuries were reported and the FAMU Police Department had the situation under control.
This is a time when people are worried about the state of FAMU. Imagine the fallout that could have resulted if people had been injured or killed. Violence is definitely not good PR.
Even more important, just a day earlier two students were shot at Delaware State, another black university. A boy and girl were wounded, and the girl is still in serious condition.
The latest news reports say the Delaware State shootings may have been a result of tension between students from Washington, D.C. and New Jersey.
Many people point to disrespect as a reason why they fight or argue. But as a college student, is disrespect an issue that gunplay best resolves?
Driadonna Roland for the Editorial Board.