By Staff
EA vandalism was hateful act of crime
Rolling houses was a part of all of our high school homecoming memories but never did it cross the line into vandalism. The news of Escambia Academy’s vandalism was not only disturbing, but also deeply upsetting. As a newspaper, we are held to reporting in as unbiased a manner as possible but this could not hold back our emotions as we openly discussed our disbelief over the events with each other and the community. As Melanie Hendrix said in the article, people don’t realize it’s not just the students that are affected but the parents too, and most importantly the community.
On the exterior, literally, this only hurts the school, but it’s the hurt feelings and negative attitudes that result that are really the issue. A community is there to support and encourage not to divide and conquer.
We’re all for a civilized rivalry, maybe even one that gets a little intense, as long as it’s done in the proper arena and with the proper respect.
Defacing property with spray-painted profanities and racial slurs is far from being respectful, much less civilized.
It is sad not only for the knock to morale but also for the young kids who got caught up in such a disgraceful act. As a high school student, it’s hard to look past Friday night’s game and see that they have committed a seriously detrimental act to the future.
What’s important though, is to see the positive come out of the situation, like EA teacher Sheliah Sawyer said. From hearing words of sympathy and concern from those in the community not directly related to EA, to hearing how Escambia County High School principal Harvey Means pulled up to EA and stepped out immediately rolling up his sleeves and asking what he could do to help, we’re already beginning to see it.