Staff Editorial

Sometimes a joke is a joke. Of course the key is context. You don’t yell “Fire!” in a crowded theatre, and as a professional media relations organization you have to know how to treat delicate situations, and you have to live up to the mission of the institution you represent.

The Bates College Office of Communications and Media Relations learned its lesson the hard way this past week. As we’ve already seen through events on campus (and throughout the country) this year, just because a group may not be in the majority, it doesn’t mean you can take their beliefs lightly.

The Bates College Republicans probably could have ignored and let the comments of Doug Hubley go, but they shouldn’t have to, especially if Bates is really a place that prides itself on diversity of opinions and world views. No one was seriously harmed by Mr. Hubley’s off-color comments, but the Republicans have the right to expect a certain level of professionalism in dealing with the College’s very own media relations office.

In forcing the issue, the Republicans are actually holding the College to the standard which it claims to aspire. If a joke was made by a Dean about the participants in Movement 384, then there would be no question that it was a serious matter. The issue would need to be addressed immediately. The same goes for any group that tries to expose the student body to various views and beliefs in order to engage a productive dialogue on campus.

So while the offense might seem small, and surely doesn’t warrant the loss of anyone’s job, it does require the attention of both staff and students. We all need to hold ourselves accountable as we strive to create an environment where we invite and encourage discussion in which all positions are treated equally and with respect.

Unless, of course, we want to concede that acceptance and inclusion are just catchy phrases used to make our school sound good to those who don’t know any better.

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