The familiarization of diversity, a goal proclaimed by Jocardo Edward Ralston’s play No Sex in the City, cannot occur on a campus where the student newspaper inappropriately smolders the existence of any such notions.

Speaking on behalf of ALLIES, the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered student organization on campus, the lack of journalistic integrity practiced by Greg Sirising’s article One-man act speaks out was appalling.

To begin with, the job of a reporter is simply to give an unbiased report of the events of this campus and student body.

While Greg Sirising is certainly within his bounds by including the seemingly critical opinion of Brent Moore, where was the counter opinion to show that while some people on this campus do not care for the tolerant message of the play, some did appreciate the controversial subject matter?

Over 400 people saw the play; from this audience there were sure to have been several that enjoyed and valued the performance. Greg Sirising uses the quote from Brent Moore to validate his own opinions of the play: that it did not achieve its major goal.

Opinions belong on the editorial page, not in an “unbiased” presentation of facts.

If it was not enough that a reporter would write such a shoddy piece of journalism, where was the editor of the paper to catch this mistake? Is it the goal of the Pacer to continuously disappoint the interested members of the UTM community for its lack of journalistic dependability?

Perhaps the editors needed a few more words to fill the block relegated for an article on the play? I would have preferred a few more words dedicated to the following article on how to prepare duck gumbo; but I suppose the Pacer has given itself enough poetic license to break the basic rules of journalism, so why would a few inappropriate words critiquing the play matter?

The play may not have been a great work of theatre, however, anyone who has taken Theatre 110 knows there are better ways to review a play than to blatantly criticize it with a quick, subjective sound bite.

Unfortunately, the article may well have filled its own prophecy. The student body who did not see the play have only this article to base their opinions on. How can this university promote the tolerance for diversity so intrinsic to Jocardo Edward Ralston’s play by publishing such an unequivocally one-sided interpretation by a would-be reviewer/journalist?

Using his wit as his defense, Ralston had most everyone in the theatre laughing, even those that were somewhat uncomfortable with the subject matter. That is a connection.

That is “celebrating diversity.” Using theatre and comedy as his medium, Ralston accomplished far more for this campus and for diversity than Sirising’s article gives credit.

The Pacer could have at least written a decent article about the play that was representative of the journalistic genre. They could have even written a fair and equally represented opinion of the performance. Instead, the Pacer failed miserably on both counts.

There are attempts to raise awareness of diversity on the UTM campus, the majority just like to unify them.

Phillip Gordon is a sophomore English major from Jackson.