Embattled student columnist calls CU a 'racist hell-hole'
By Heath Urie, Daily Camera
Published February 29, 2008 at 7:22 a.m.
Updated February 29, 2008 at 11:23 a.m.
Photo by Glenn Asakawa © University Of Colorado
Max Karson, who wrote the controversial column, listens to the rally proceedings.
BOULDER — The duties of the entire opinion-section staff at the University of Colorado's Campus Press newspaper have been suspended in the wake of fervent outcry about a student column that said Asians "hate us all," school officials said Thursday.
Meanwhile, the columnist who sparked the firestorm, Max Karson, defended himself in a letter to the Camera in which he describes CU as a "racist hell-hole."
A statement posted on the student newspaper's Web site Wednesday singled out Karson as the only person suspended from contributing to the online-only newspaper's content. But CU spokesman Bronson Hilliard on Thursday said all of the regular opinion-writing staff will be reassigned to other duties while changes are made.
"Max has been an editorial page assistant editor, and all of the duties of all of the editorial page editors have been suspended because the editorial page itself at the Campus Press has been suspended pending a restructuring and re-envisioning of what they're going to do with it," Hilliard said.
Karson sparked a public outrage last week when the Campus Press published his column, "If it's war the Asians want ... It's war they'll get."
The column has called into question how the student-run newspaper class within the School of Journalism and Mass Communication reviews content before publishing it.
Hilliard said two editorial page editors, a handful of page designers and about 68 other students who are required to write an opinion column as part of the class curriculum will all work on other projects until the paper finishes a series of planned reforms — including the formation of new opinion and ethics policies.
Hilliard said Karson and the other opinion editors will remain on the staff at the Campus Press and can write for other sections of the paper in the meantime.
Karson, reached by phone Thursday, said he had no comment. However, his letter to the Camera described his contempt for the opposition to him and the Campus Press.
"Sometimes it's necessary to offend in order to provoke thought about difficult subjects," Karson wrote. "For example, in my 'Asians' piece, I poked fun at Asian stereotypes for the purpose of mocking racist white people who never bother to understand or even consider Asian cultures and race relations at the University of Colorado.
"I can't stand that the people who experience racism every day would rather waste their energy on demanding the suppression of clearly protected speech instead of adding their own speech to the mix."
Karson — who describes himself in the letter as a "dorky, smart-mouthed kid with authority problems" — goes on to criticize university officials, who he says run the "racist hell-hole we call CU."
"You think that if you shut me up, you'll be one step closer to the 'hate-free environment' you dream of," Karson wrote.
Karson's attorney, Dan Williams, said the Campus Press statement about his client's suspension was misleading and damaging to Karson's reputation. The statement was removed from the newspaper's Web site Thursday morning and later replaced with a different version that said the opinion section had been suspended.
"Max Karson was not suspended by the Campus Press," Williams said. "The fact is Max's duties were suspended, as with all opinion writers."
Hilliard agreed the Campus Press statement was unclear.
"The Campus Press wanted to indicate (Karson) would not be contributing to the editorial page," Hilliard said. "I think it's a clear case of trying to quell people's concerns."
Campus Press Editor-in-Chief Cassie Hewlings did not return phone calls.
Hilliard said an announcement likely will be made sometime next week about what measures the CU journalism faculty plans to take to help better oversee the publication.
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February 29, 2008
7:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
happymike44 writes:
I feel a reporter who is not allowed to pursue a story.Without the fear of being labeled a rascist stinks.I don't know how many people live in the real world.But I have met some great people of all races and I have met some lousy ones of all races.He has choosen to be controversial.But when has speaking your mind become illegal.First Amendment has guarenteed us the right to free speech.If you don't want freedom of speech go to cuba or a dictator controlled country.Then you can follow what your leader says and tells you what to think.Also if anyone has a problem with my view.Let me point out my ancestors fought during the revolutionary war so I can be free to think and feel what I like.My family has been fighting in every major war since then so we all can be free.I am proud of these laws,and also to be an American.Also the writer does not have the wisdom that comes with age.So don't ruin his life over a small mistake.Let him do the right thing.We are all only human,what do you think.
February 29, 2008
7:59 a.m.
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politwriter writes:
As the former editor in chief of a major Big-10 University campus newspaper, I find the extent of faculty and administratition control over the CU paper to be laughable. What is this a high school newspaper? How spineless are these student "journalists" to be bullied by mobs and ordered around like little children by the administration?
Has any real journalist ever come from this little rag?
February 29, 2008
8:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
aeb1barfo writes:
Where did the creators of South Park ( an example of VISIBLE satire ) hail from? How popular is that series ( 11 seasons )? How controversial?
Ok, so it is no longer PC for satire to exist at the Che Guevara Re-education camp?
Re-education into correct thinking must be a serious business.
February 29, 2008
8:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
wxweasel writes:
As a student at CU, I feel Karson has some very valid points, although how he made them may have been questionable. However, as I walk across campus, there are very few times that I see groups of people that are racially mixed. Most groups are white (mostly because of the predominantly white campus population), but most other racial groups "clump" together as well. While Karson has incited a firestorm, I can only think that the end result of his diatribe will be to bring race issues to light. I can't help but be reminded of what happened at Columbine 9 years ago, that a misunderstanding of people who were "different" caused them to lash out in an unthinkable manner. The uniformity of white suburbia (and predominance of these students at CU) makes many of these students feel uncomfortable with race issues, mostly because they don't KNOW how to relate to students of different races (I say all of this being white and having grown up in white suburbia here in the Denver area). I can only hope that this situation will break down the walls that we have built up (for whatever reason), and understand that our country's forefathers were right in saying that "all men are created equal."
February 29, 2008
8:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
HolierThanThou writes:
Be careful about running to the nanny state to silence the voice that offends you. It just might be your own.
February 29, 2008
8:39 a.m.
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ParkHillPosse writes:
As a CU alum, let me offer some advice to current students and student-reporters: stop embarrassing yourselves and embarrassing the alumni, you stupid little monkeys. I lived in Boulder for 4.5 yrs, and never encountered any racial problems (beyond a preponderance of white people), and now this foolish honkey writes about some kind of "war" with Asians? Give me a break. What's the problem? The scenery in Boulder is too pretty? The campus too beautiful? Stop creating drama where none need exist. Take some pride in the fact that you're going to school in Boulder and do something positive, not fomenting some curious racial schism.
February 29, 2008
8:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
samsmargolis writes:
Run, Max! Run away from the racist hell-hole as far as your twiggy little legs can carry you - or your daddy's money will take you - and leave all that pain behind. Or, you're a pain-in-the-behind. Or something like that. Point being, you're not funny. You're not an interesting writer. You're an attention whore because mums and pops didn't pay enough attention to you, so you write your bizarre lil' Yeti paper, and you make goofy short videos and post them on YouTube to get attention. For those who haven't seen the twisted sister that is Max Karson, link to his videos and see what a sick individual he is. Most universities are trying desparately to identify people just like you right now in light of VT and NIU - so be thankful your worthless butt is even allowed to stay in school. http://www.yetipaper yetipaper.com/films.html
February 29, 2008
8:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
Oh_Wise_One writes:
How intolerant of you samsmargolis. Nerds have a right to be indoctrinated at SeeYou just like anybody else.
February 29, 2008
8:58 a.m.
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jmkratt writes:
Just another day in Boulder...
February 29, 2008
9:01 a.m.
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PilotTony writes:
I wish you people could understand the First Amendment and what it protects. Of course this moron can write anything he wants. He can. He is protected from the Government's retaliation.
However, he is not protected from the consequences using poor decisions. I am free to say anything I want, but I also know I might get fired for saying outrageous or controversial items. He deserves these results and more. The more people like him and his ilk are given this platform, the more we will see a continuation of our demise.
We are in a time that requires conservative values. The greatest generation should be sick to their stomach to see the direction our collegiate population is heading. CU is a joke.
Lets hope the new Prez can come in and interject a fundamental change to Boulder. It sure needs somthing.
February 29, 2008
9:15 a.m.
Suggest removal
American100 writes:
More minority boohooing.
The constant demands of minority and immigrant people in this country, coupled with "political correctness" has created this situation.
Stop bending over to minority and immigrant cry babies.
I have. I can't control the world but as a business owner, if you don't speak English, I won't hire you. If you don't show up to work because you want to protest America, I'll fire you.
If you come to my place of business looking for a job with a towel wrapped around your head, keep going.
Don't like it? Tough toe nails.
February 29, 2008
9:17 a.m.
Suggest removal
buffsblg writes:
No good guys here. Karson is a loudmouth idiot with shock jock aspirations and a totally unjustified opinion of his own abilities.Further, he is incapable of understanding or admitting that he screwed up. The editors wanted an "edgy" column and ignored the basic idea that what you put in the paper should be well written. Then they fail to adequately label the piece or the "companion' piece that was to present another view.
The direct and forseeable result of this stupidity? The dedicated agitators raise a fuss, turn a molehill of ignorance into a Mountain of manufactured outrage and then march around yelling "off with their heads." Sure enough the administration then rolls over like a small dog and makes "changes" to mollify the loudest group and as usual, the constitution and common sense both get thrown out the window in the heat of the moment.
The good news is that this will blow over, Karson will go write his stuff on the web where his 4 friends and family will read it, the agitators will find something else to be offended about and next year the paper will have new editors. What will we have learned from all this? Not much, except what we already knew, there will always be idiots and we will always have to deal with them.
February 29, 2008
9:22 a.m.
Suggest removal
American100 writes:
One more thing...if you don't like America or the American way GET OUT!!!
America, love it or leave it.
February 29, 2008
9:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
frankmm writes:
The students at CSU basically celebrated and supported the student journalist for publishing the vulgar--yet oh so politically correct--headline against Bush, while the student mobs at CU demand blood and get it. Geez I wonder why the different reaction.
February 29, 2008
9:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
HolierThanThou writes:
Right here's another example why censorship never really works. The poster, jdouble8 (formerly jdub88) is a racist. Let's see if we can get him to pause long enough to consider some facts and answer a simple question, OK?
Science has mapped the human genome and proven that there is only one race of humans on Earth. Let's call us the human race.
Looks can be deceptive. People who are more closely related to each other can actually appear more different from one another while seeming to be more closely related to persons who are further away from them on the human family tree. For example, many Germans could be more closely related to modern Africans then they are to most Irish or Norwegians. Jews and Arabs are all not-so-distant cousins. And everyone has ancestors in Africa. There is no "white", "black", "brown" or any other kind of color-based race.
So, science has proven that old ideas about race are complete nonsense. The evolution of skin tone provides an example. If people with fair skin migrate to a sunny climate they tend to evolve darker skin generation by generation. While darker skinned people who migrate to a cloudy region tend to evolve fairer skin because it helps the body to produce vitamin D.
Fish contain vitamin D, so people eating fish in coastal regions can afford to have darker skin, evolutionarily speaking. There are lots of variables effecting how human appearances evolve. Even culture can influence how appearances evolve. If men consistently mate with thinner and thinner women then women could disappear entirely and that culture would hit an evolutionary dead end. They'd go extinct. But I digress.
Another factor in human evolution involves mating habits. Medicine has consistently shown that marrying and having children by your siblings and cousins is not good. Those children tend to have more medical problems and less brain-power than those who come from more diverse DNA. So, marrying outside the family is a smart solution.
It's quite possible that the modern scourge of upper-case twits comes from bad breeding by those who are overly concerned about "good breeding". They consider themselves of the best stock and refuse to approve marriages outside the family or clan, thus producing offspring of increasing degraded stock with each inbred generation. Very sad...
My question for jbud88 and all the other racists is: what race do you belong to now?
February 29, 2008
9:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
junglegymco writes:
American100 - You seem to miss what it really means to be American. If you don't like it, change it. That's the true American way, not some jingoistic B.S. about the U.S. never being wrong. True patriotism is the ability to allow for and provide dissent, not mindless following.
America - be a part of it, or leave it.
Karson's writings may not be popular or politically correct, but attempting to silence him is eerily chilling. 1984 anyone?
February 29, 2008
10:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
twofistedmario writes:
I see where Karson is coming from. The issue here was a few of those out there who probably wouldn't see it as satire but rather gospel. Personally, I think there was an inherent fear that Karson was enabling the racists.
And on a different note, shut the f--k up American100. You're either a gimmick or the typical ignorant, lower middle-class xenophobic white male that is the very reason everybody else hates America. Go f--k yourself.
February 29, 2008
10:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
American100 writes:
The true American way is to come here and be a part of America. Not changing it into China, Mexico, Japan, Iran, or where ever the cluck these cry babies come from.
If people don't like America, they should get out and go back to the junglegymland.
February 29, 2008
10:02 a.m.
Suggest removal
twofistedmario writes:
Hey American 100 - are you angry at the mud people because of your own failures as a human being? Blame yourself you pathetic bag of crap.
February 29, 2008
10:05 a.m.
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American100 writes:
What's the maater Mario in the barrio - upset cause I live in a million dollar home and you live in the gutter? Get a job.
February 29, 2008
10:09 a.m.
Suggest removal
twofistedmario writes:
yeah you're a gimmick
14/88 HEIL HITLER
February 29, 2008
10:13 a.m.
Suggest removal
pegasus99_aka_DR writes:
I disagree with Max - it is not necessary to make inflaming comments or to insult groups to get their attention and make them think. It may be if one lacks the intelligence to use other methods, so perhaps that explains it. In my opinion, putting into print that "so-and-so hates all of us, so it's time to hate them back", is over-stepping the boundaries of thoughtful expression. Frankly, it could have come back to haunt him. What would have happened if someone such as the VT or Ill shooters had taken his message to heart, and exacted retribution for a perceived injury?
February 29, 2008
10:18 a.m.
Suggest removal
Ottis writes:
Finally, this story has taken the turn that should have been obvious from the start. It's basically about a bright kid trying to do something controversial but not doing it very well. That should have been a minor issue, because it is a STUDENT newspaper where students LEARN about doing it better and they will make errors. Instead, because it's Boulder, all the knee-jerk "you must respect us!" groups with their own agendas react like teenagers instead of adults and CU, faced with yet another instance where public opinion throws perspective out the window and DEMANDS action, has to backpedal. What Karson did was at best a mistake and at worst poor taste that represented his own issues with people different from him, but he isn't an adult writing for the Wall Street Journal he's a kid writing for a school newspaper. Perspective.
February 29, 2008
10:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
Alive writes:
Race, Race, Race!!! I am so sick of hearing about it. I wish we all were blind. I'm white, so what? Your black, so what? All I care about is if someone is an assh0le or not. Jeesh.
If we are are going to have some kind of race war, let's get it over with and get on with history. Otherwise we all should STFU about it already.
February 29, 2008
10:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
PonchoVia writes:
Right on, ParkHillPosse. I couldn't agree with you more.
February 29, 2008
11:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
sunshinestate writes:
States like Clorado have seen an influx of whites from other states-basically 'immigrants' who have attempted to flee declining neighborhoods subjected to 'demographic shift'-an infusion of 'minority'population.(My own previously wonderful North Miami,Florida is now a slum....Colorado sees it's own take overs)When states like Colorado promote 'low crime' many read between the lines:"Low minority". Of course, many who have moved to the 'west' did not really understand so very many aspects of the 'west'.Boulder is not alone in it's seemingly idyllic setting and posture- plenty of alternatives outside the alternative interior 'west' and this "racist' discourse is proof positive.
February 29, 2008
11:15 a.m.
Suggest removal
Theoldguy writes:
I'm sure that there is a feeling of entitlement among the white kids which is common among them since they are sponging off their parents. The Asian kids have grown up competing academically and, of course, will surpass the white kids intellectually. So, the little white kids resort to the typical routine of cutting down the other kids to elevate themselves, in their view, and that of their peers. Remember folks, these white kids have come from a failed education system that has dumbed them down. The college admission requirements are possibly less for them than the foreign students. But there are so many alumni that want their kiddies to follow in their footsteps so they pay the exorbitant amount for admission. The professors are getting older and they just want to make it to retirement. Kissing ass to make it to a full professorship has them worn out. The administration tried to keep the college liberal, but the line is too thin after all these years and the inmates are attempting to run the nut house.
Hey, it's just my opinion and I may be right.
Okay, Boulder freaks have a run at me!
February 29, 2008
11:15 a.m.
Suggest removal
ONEman writes:
American100(that's a joke) you are disgusting and you shame the word American. Living in a million dollar cave, with caveman idealistics and hiding behind how much money you make(what losers have to do is lean on something superficial). But the only point you continue to make is that your a racist pig who stands on the back of TRUE men and women who risk their lives to honor America. While Nazis like you further demoralize our great Nation. Who cares how much money you make, have you served your country? If you have, somewhere along the line you lost your integrity, but you don't strike me as one of Americas finest. Must you always post cyber vomit, is that all you have to offer? Your pathetic.
February 29, 2008
11:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
JustMe writes:
Maybe they need to teach a course on satire at CU - and beyond - as it's clear many don't know it when they see it.
February 29, 2008
11:32 a.m.
Suggest removal
wow writes:
Buffsbig is, as usual, dead on about all of this.
Shouldn't we also be questioning the teaching ability of these professors? I would be utterly mortified if any of the editorial staff (or Max) were students of mine.
These hacks will be writing the news.
February 29, 2008
11:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
junglegymco writes:
Un-American100 - Let's see, how did America start? Oh yea - from IMMIGRANTS. And guess what - they brought their own (now "our") culture with them. I never understand "Americans" like you who clearly haven't read a single word of an American history textbook.
And immersion doesn't mean abandonment of one's heritage.
You should be thankful that intelligence scores aren't required in order to vote or you'd be S.O.L.
February 29, 2008
11:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
jackwoehr writes:
I feel for young Karson who injudiciously wrote the piece in question. He says above:
"I can't stand that the people who experience racism every day would rather waste their energy on demanding the suppression of clearly protected speech instead of adding their own speech to the mix."
Well, young fellow, the answer is, it's really bad manners and bad writing to wade in and stir people's deepest fears with a shovel. You have to use a teaspoon instead.
You went to University of Colorado to learn? You just learned a lesson in human nature.
February 29, 2008
12:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
tunaman65 writes:
Glad my son has his eye on the Air Force Academy.
February 29, 2008
12:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
gs writes:
tunaman65 I couldn't agree more. My hope is my son will go to the University of Wyoming
February 29, 2008
12:54 p.m.
Suggest removal
americanharley writes:
imho max has done exactly what he wanted! it amazes me that people do not realize that. he has done a lot of good by getting this brought to the attention of the people of boulder and cu. cu and boulder are not as perfect as they think. GOOD JOB MAX
February 29, 2008
1:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
beckybigs writes:
wxweasel.....be careful about blaming the victim. It wasn't because the shooters at columbine were treated different that caused them to lash out. You don't want to turn into a Ward Churchill calling the 911 victims natzi's. This is Karson's problem. I say quit giving him attention. He doesn't deserve all he's getting. This is the only reason why he wrote the article. I say he is unfairly substituting the words "CU" and "everyone" in place of "I" when he talks about racism.
February 29, 2008
1:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
tandrhansen writes:
The problem here is the belief that saying something inflammatory is controversial. Having the right to free speech does not make you immune to consequences. That is why you aren't allowed to scream fire in a movie theater.
Inflammatory remarks are far more likely to shut down lines of communication and debate. If in attempting a controversial remark you intend to offend, which is the case here, you can expect to suffer some consequences.
Having the right to free speech has responsibilities and journalist believe that gives them free reign to say anything they want without consequence. That isn't true. When Ward Churchill did it everyone's eyes turned toward him and found and scrutinized his work. He was found to be a plagiarist and rightfully lost his postion because of it.
So, even more to the point, if you are going to throw rocks don't live in a glass house.
February 29, 2008
1:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
ExploitAsian writes:
MAX KARSON THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
written by a non-journalist
As I walked out of the UMC, and let my eyes adjust to the light, someone from behind me slammed into me. It was Cassie Hewlings, the editor of the Campus Press, dressed like a Kittredge duckling
“I’m sorry, quack, quack,” she said. Her eyes focused away from me.
I turned around and there was a mob of Korean students running toward her. Well, they looked Korean anyway.
“I’M SORRY! Quack, quack.” she exclaimed as she ran off, “I’m sorry! Quack, quack. I’m sorry! Double-quack.”
The mob of Koreans chased after her, still holding their fingers in their ears. I stopped one of them. She pulled her fingers out of her ears.
“Why do you have fingers in your ears?” I asked.
“Because we don’t trust her words anymore,” she said, and then continued the chase.
I walk over to a newsstand, and noticed all the copies of the Campus Press newspapers were gone. I go to another stand. Gone. Then I noticed a large pile of Campus Press newspapers sitting in the recycling bin. There were several days’ worth in there, and none of them had been read.
I pulled one out, and I noticed there were no advertisements. On top of that, all the articles were about the same topic, but just different tones. They looked like they were all authored by different people, but then I just realized the names were just anagrams of the same name. The subject matter was closet space efficiency.
A Japanese-looking student walked by, and dumped more Campus Press newspapers into the bin.
“Why are you throwing these away?” I inquired.
“Because we don’t trust their words anymore,” she explained. That’s when I noticed a whole line of Japanese students who have come to recycle the trash. Gotta love Japanese efficiency.
(cont)
February 29, 2008
1:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
ExploitAsian writes:
I walked outside, and noticed a podium at the end of the UMC fountain, which happened to be filled with some kind of Kool-Aid. A bunch of Vietnamese students were standing in front of the podium with their ears duct taped. I don’t know how I knew they were Vietnamese considering their eyes were also covered in duct tape, but some how, I just knew. We always know.
Then I saw Max Karson go up to the podium. Karson admired his audience for a second, lowered the mic, and turned around. Karson bent over, and grabbed hold of his butt cheeks to spread them apart.
Everything then started to spin.
His anus began to speak:
"When I wrote my Pulitzer Prize winning satire, I was speaking for the Asian people because God knows they don't know enough English to speak for themselves. I know what it's like to be an Asian. Correction, Asian-American. I love pho, kung-fu movies, and Japanese bondage. I find Asian women…Asian-American women sexually attractive. I mean, don’t they look like their made for sex? And I think they should take that as compliment. I didn’t need to interview anyone. That would have made me a common journalist. I’m above that. I know what’s it’s like to be an Asian-American. I know their pain and suffering first hand. I grew up as an Asian-American. I AM ASIAN-AMERICA! So I don't owe Asian-Americans an apology. If anything, Asian-Americans owe me an apology…as soon as they pass their ESL classes.”
I got so dizzy, I had to take my fingers put them in my ears, and shut my eyes.
February 29, 2008
2:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
politwriter writes:
Tandrhansen: A bit of satire in a publication does not meet the Supreme Court's test of yelling fire in a crowded theatre. If that were so, then government could censor anything that even vaguely offended anyone.
Consequences, yes. Your paper may lose advertisers. It may lose readers. But consequences such as the heavy hand of government authorities (in this case the CU administration) coming in and purging the writers, may be the way in North Korea or Cuba, but is not allowed by the US Constitution.
Administrators have been successfully sued for violating the 1st Amendment rights of campus journalists in this way.
February 29, 2008
2:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
Zinnia79 writes:
ExploitAsian. ..lol..that was funny what you wrote. Now that's satire people!
February 29, 2008
2:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
beckybigs writes:
MrCrush.....for someone who works in the journalism realm as well, the thing is this....some company (probably worthy although if they do I won't be so sure) will hire him. Unfortunately. That is why this generations thinks they will be able to get away with what he has. It is sad, but all too true. There are no consequences for actions anymore. People think they are, but I am sure that whatever "consequences" the CU newspaper will have to undergo is not nearly enough. Not enough to teach these young people a lesson or for them to even believe they are true consequences.
February 29, 2008
2:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
butlerma8 writes:
Someone somewhere in here said something about CU being a joke of a school that should no longer be considered in the top 100. As a successful graduate from the CU School of Journalism and Mass Communication, I disagree. SJMC offers one of the best advertising programs in the nation, not to mention the excellent journalism and broadcast journalism programs. And that doesn't include the amazing programs in other departments on campus.
Yes we tend to only see negative press on CU, but that does not mean that the actions of few reflect on all. After all, would you consider President Bush's views and actions to be an exact reflection of what all Americans think and how all Americans act?
Keep in mind that Mr. Karson is a college STUDENT. Though legally an adult, he's had, at most, 3-4 years experience being an adult. Remember the decisions you made and how you acted when you were his age? Can you honestly say you acted like a perfect angel and never made a single mistake or bad decision at that age?
Long story short, keep a little perspective and stop being so hard on the guy for making a bad decision. He's certainly learned from it at this point!
February 29, 2008
3:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
beckybigs writes:
butlerma8.....Obviously he hasn't learned from it. You would of thought he learned from his horrible comment he made in a class last semester that got him suspended from school for a semester...but obviously not. That is why we are being so hard on him. He will NEVER learn his lesson. Never. He has done this about three too many times.
February 29, 2008
3:41 p.m.
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butlerma8 writes:
Well if that's the case then it is what it is. If CU regents allow him to stay then that is their decision. All I'm saying is that the poor decisions of few don't define all and it would pay for us all to remember that. Don't let the actions of one kid determine your opinion of all the other kids at CU.
February 29, 2008
3:58 p.m.
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beckybigs writes:
Oh I agree with that statement....I was simply saying this one kid hasn't "learned his lesson." He is someone who clearly believes he is above everyone else.
February 29, 2008
4:15 p.m.
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jay writes:
is it that all racists are ignorant...or all ignorant folks are racist?
February 29, 2008
4:25 p.m.
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buffsblg writes:
I am sympathetic to the idea that students need to make mistakes to learn. However, one learning process is to live with the natural consequences of ones mistakes. While I find many of the protests overblown and overbearing and I deplore the rush to limit the speech of others to avoid giving "offense" Karson does seem to be a very slow learner about the dangers of ill thought out speech. He should be free to say all he wants, but he has no more "right" to use the Campus Paper as a forum as I do. Bad journalists get fired every day. He does not need to be the exception. I only regret that the loudmouths who have made a mountain out of this issue will claim credit.
February 29, 2008
6 p.m.
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jsvaldez writes:
I believe Max suffered from "Ivory Tower Syndrome," and now has been cured albeit in a unsavory manner. It is in my belief that Max tackled a subject he couldn't handle intellectually or skillfully. Satire has been used quite effectively across the centuries to focus the spotlight of public opinion on injustice. What the difference here is that this student may have had a valid point about racism in regards to Asians, however he fell on face in the delivery. I hope the lesson is learned.
February 29, 2008
6:11 p.m.
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ExploitAsian writes:
Max Karson is a white belt writer trying to be a black belt journalist. Walk before run Grasshoppa.
This not a free speech issue, it's not a diversity of opinions issue, it's not really even a race issue. Those are distractions invented by Karson and the editor of CP to hide the fact that he is a sub-par writer.
As someone in this blog said before, he has no journalistic merits. NOT because of the racial tone of the material. I've heard plenty of racists jokes again Asians, and some are funny, and some are not.
Karson has the right to write what he wants. CP has the right to publish what it wants. As journalists, however, as operatives of the fourth estate, they have the RESPONSIBLITY to write well, and publish good work from their staff.
This is not an opinion piece that came from the general public. It's an opinion piece from a STAFF WRITER. If he wants to be a journalist, focus write well, first.
And he's "intentions" were to speak for Asian people (I think I can speak for myself thank you), why not just interview some Asian people? Oh, that' would require actual journalistic skills, and Karson probably believe that's beneath.
Rather than writing about actual racial tension, Campus Press chose to make up something about racial tension. There were a billion different, better ways they could have brought these issues to light. Instead, they chose the worst: bad writing.
For that, Karson and the editor should voluntarily resign. Until then, I'm not believe any words that come from them or the Campus Press, ever again.
February 29, 2008
6:13 p.m.
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ExploitAsian writes:
MAX KARSON’S PET PROJECT: A SATIRE
written by a non-journalist
I was walking out of Illegal Pete’s the other day, when I happened to see Max Karson come out of the women’s restroom.
I didn’t say anything. I figured Max Karson has a right to do what he wants. It’s not like he’s violated an actual law. So I decided to do the stereotypical Asian thing, and just keep my opinion to myself.
“Hey, aren’t you Max Karson?” I asked.
“Wow, I’m so glad you recognized me. I’ve worked very hard to get recognized in public,” Max bragged.
“So…where ya headed Max?” Not that I actually cared. Just making polite conversation.
“Well, coincidentally, I’m off to buy a dog,” giving me a little nudge.
“What do you mean, ‘coincidentally’?” I nudged back.
“You’re people are experts on dog, no?”
I was about to say something, but then I decided he had a right to his opinion, and once again, I decided to do the stereotypical thing, and just keep my opinion to myself.
“Why are you getting a dog?” I diverted.
“Well, let me ask you this: do you think if I put peanut butter on my butt, and made the puppy lick me, would that be controversial?”
Did he really ask me that? I couldn’t have heard that correctly. How would one not know if that would be controversial?
“Sure,” I said in my most non-judgmental voice. After all, he’s only talking about it. It’s not like he’s actually going to do this, right? It’s just talk. So, he has the right to say what he is or is not going to do. So I said nothing.
“So you think it would get a lot of attention?” Max asked.
“Definitely. Especially with that recent Arvada dog case,” I said.
“What dog case?”
“You know. Rolo, the German shepherd that might get euthanized?”
It’s been all over the papers. I don’t even own a dog, and I know about it. Hmm. I guess we do know a lot about dogs.
Max just had a blank look on his face. Then his face lit up as if he had just reached enlightenment.
“That’s perfect!” he exclaimed, “I can say it’s a satire about putting animals down. And it’ll get a lot of press, which means more people will know about me,” he explained.
I was going to tell him that perhaps he should rethink his position, but that would be self-righteous of me, wouldn’t it? I mean, it’s just satire, right? It’s not like he actually DID anything. It’s just talk, right?
Max turned around and went back into the women’s restroom, “I need to talk to my editor.”
I wanted to stop him, but who am I to tell him what’s right and what’s wrong? He’s entitled to his opinion. It’s not like he actually DID anything. He’s just talking for now, right?
So I decided to do the stereotypical Asian thing, and just keep my opinion to myself.
February 29, 2008
6:16 p.m.
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ExploitAsian writes:
For those who find this a trivial matter...why are you posting?
The only people who find this a trivial matter are those are unable to clearly express their views on topics like this. So rather than look dumb, they minimize and trivialize issues like this.
Same as Karson. He knows he's not a good writer, and he's scared we'll all find out. He distracts us with red herrings, fake apologies, and hides behind the banner of free speech.
So what does he do? He does what he does best. Distract us from his lack of journalistic skills with a publicity stunt.
I thought CP was run by writers, not marketers.
February 29, 2008
8:48 p.m.
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ExploitAsian writes:
A creative writing teacher once told me: "If you have to explain what you wrote, then you probably didn't do a good job of writing it in the first place."
The fact that Karson has to write another article to explain himself is basically admitting he did a p!$$ poor job of writing the opinion piece.
So how is it that the editor didn't catch the lack of quality of the writing? How is it that the editor is not suspended?
March 1, 2008
1:04 a.m.
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mac_44 writes:
Dan2 came pretty close. I'm surprised that no one mentioned John Peter Zenger. Remember him? He was a printer who was tried in 1735 in New York for printing some uncomplementary things about the governor. He was acquited and that acquital became the basis of the colonist's right to a free press. The papers of the day were aggressive and rude. That same thought carried over to the First Amendment. Suspending Mr Karson goes against the spirit and intent of the First Amendment. We are on a slippery slope when we allow the "thought police" tell us what we can and cannot write.
I apologize for the short history lesson, but it is apparent that folks have forgotten.
March 1, 2008
1:11 a.m.
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ExploitAsian writes:
Blah, blah, blah is right. I've heard so many unintelligent, automated sound bites on this issue, it sickens me.
Step on a lever, "Freedom of speech", insert applause
Step on a lever, "It's satire.", insert applause.
Step on a lever, "What race hasn't been attacked...", insert applause.
People don't read the news anymore, they memorize sound bites to make themselves sound clever. Journalists don't write news anymore, they just regurgitate and vomit a press release.
What happened on Campus Press is a microcosm of all that is wrong with mainstream media.
I expect Campus Press to produce stories that are well written and well articulated, rather than poorly written and barely though out. I expect Campus Press to care more about truth, accuracy and relevance than controversy, edginess, and publicity. I expect Campus Press to strive to produce A-list journalists instead of D-list wannabes.
Are they marketers, or journalists?
This is not about free speech. It doesn't matter if it's funny. It doesn't even matter that it's racist. Mein Kompf is racist, but at least Hitler articulated his point well.
The question is, is this good writing? Is this good journalism.
I am for free speech all across the board. But as a journalist and staff writer, as an operative of the fourth estate, Karson and crew have the RESPONSIBLITY to write well.
If it were a schmoe like me that wrote the article, it's one thing. He is a staff writer. He is a journalist (or at least he thinks he is one).
I fault Karson for not writing a BETTER piece.
I fault the editor for not knowing the difference good writing and bad writing.
But I don't think anyone needs to be suspended or fired. If they voluntarily quit, however, I think that would put faith back into the Campus Press.
March 1, 2008
2:10 a.m.
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TJDJ writes:
This comment from Karson exposes his racism: "Sometimes it's necessary to offend in order to provoke thought about difficult subjects," Karson wrote. "For example, in my 'Asians' piece, I poked fun at Asian stereotypes for the purpose of mocking racist white people who never bother to understand or even consider Asian cultures and race relations at the University of Colorado". Here's a newsflash Max, Whites are not racists. Those damned few who may be are just that. The kind who really are racists are the self-loathers who rip their own people and try to project their perceptions on their own race in order to assuage their own guilt. That won't work with me. I've run into very few Asians who are prejudiced against me and I don't know very many Whites who hate them.
March 1, 2008
4:49 a.m.
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gwats writes:
Don't they teach ethics along with journalism @ CU?
March 1, 2008
7:55 a.m.
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R8R_H8R writes:
The Klu Klux Klan can march down the streets and demonstrate, each filthy pig one of them protected by law, yet no one can raise awareness to racial hate issues going on each day on the C.U. campus? Half of the comments above are idiotic. Comments that the racism doesn't exist is pure stupidity.
March 1, 2008
10:02 a.m.
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incognitoboy writes:
ExploitAsian should get the job of running the campus press, THEN we'll see some good writing in there.
you crack me up, dude! keep up the good work.....