Letter to the Editor: Disgust with student group opposing school levy
Ohio U student Dominic Detwiler condemns the Students for Athens Education group as selfish and immature.
[dropcap txtcolor="#234a83" style="dropcap1"]D[/dropcap]ear Editor,There is a social media campaign allegedly led by Ohio University students in opposition to the November school levy calling itself “Students for Athens Education”. It focuses on a series of things that one could theoretically buy with the money one may be paying in additional taxes, most notably “three cases [of beer]” and “six slices [of pizza]” per month.This campaign should not be given the time of day, let alone any serious consideration. The fact that there is an organized campaign to attack this levy in this way is absolutely disgusting. There are so many problems here, not the least of which is the fact that a case of beer is more important to these people than the youth of Athens. As a student, I am embarrassed that this campaign exists. The organizers clearly have zero respect for our city. This community does so much for the Ohio University student body, and so much of it gets ignored. An argument based on pizza money is simply a disgrace to the people of both the Ohio University and Athens communities. This campaign is the quintessence of entitlement and privilege so often exhibited by certain segments of the student body. The level of disrespect that many of my colleagues show this town is a disgrace, but this campaign crosses a line that I didn’t know could be crossed. This group’s attempt to have this kind of impact on policy in this community FOR BEER MONEY just to leave the people of this great city to deal with the aftermath flies in the face of what it means to be a Bobcat and a resident of Athens. I would like to note that I take no issue with a campaign in opposition to the levy, as I haven’t personally made my decision on it yet. Discussions about the merit of a proposed policy are necessary for the health of our democracy, but the public commitment of this group to put more importance in a slice of pizza than the youth of Athens is shameful. These students will leave this town in a few years, but the youth of Athens will have to live with their decision on this issue for the entirety of their school career and honestly, their lives. This is one of the cheapest, most petty, and disappointing campaigns I’ve ever seen, and the organizers should be ashamed.Dominic R. Detwiler (he/him/his)Ohio UniversityWilfred R. and Ann Lee Konneker College of Fine Arts Cutler Scholar, 2020 RecipientHonors Tutorial College | Sociology Major; Music, Political Science, & Psychology Minor