I am writing in response to some recent events at Bates which have disheartened and disgusted me. In general I have loved my experience at Bates, however, I have become aware that there are some major problems that exist among the student body. Daily, I am confronted with comments made or actions taken by students at this school which frighten and nauseate me.

Mostly, it is the blatant disrespect that we apparently hold for one another in the "Bates Community". Perhaps I have lost my sense of humor being a fourth year in college, but I don't find comments about rape, racism, homophobia or any other form of bigotry to be funny. I don't find the erasing of the chalk writings of the GLBA on Frye street by students, to be acceptable means of expression. I don't find running through the streets of Lewiston screaming in the middle of the night, to be a necessary or mature form of behavior. I don't find that damaging a car because we can't be let into a crowded private party to be an acceptable form of social behavior. I don't find the trashing of dorms and the obvious disrespect for the people who are hired to keep them clean, as a responsible or acceptable activity. I don't find joking about an alcoholic beverage called "rape punch" to be acceptable or funny.

It seems clear to me, that the reason that the Bates administration and the Lewiston police have begun to come down a little harder on us, is because in general, we are stupid. We do not know when enough is enough. We apparently do not know when and where certain behavior is acceptable and when it is not.

I feel very badly that underclassmen, specifically first years, do not know what a great place Bates can be. They don't know that it is okay to have a few drinks and not be transformed into an uncivilized, immature, irresponsible, and incoherent idiot. They don't know that it isn't the alcohol that makes us bigots, only that it makes us less shy about acting out on our bigotry.

I simply ask, that students at Bates begin to make an effort to act as socially responsible, tolerant, and open minded adults. I ask that we stop expecting everyone to treat us as adults until we can start acting that way. I ask that we start being more conscious of the way that our actions, collective or individual, make others feel and hurt. I ask that we stop assuming that because our parents pay money for us to attend this school that we have signed some unwritten contract to own the place and treat the people around us as though they owe us something.

Let us begin now to show that we can be a community, that we will accept each other for our differences and our similarities. Let us show that we do have some respect for the people who do their best to keep us safe and make our home here as pleasant and productive as possible. Let us begin to prove that just because we have not yet left the Bates bubble, that we are ready to. I firmly believe that all we have proved thus far is that you need more than a good education to erase ignorance and stupidity.

Sincerely,

Jody Reilly '98