Too much info
To the Editor:
Over the weekend, the Penn student body received an e-mail from the Department of Public Safety describing the tragic sexual assault of a Penn student by a "white, college-age male."
My concern is that the department felt it proper to disclose the alleged perpetrator's race in the very first sentence of the report. If the alleged perpetrator had been an African American, and had race been stated in the first line of the e-mail, this report would have run a serious risk of provoking accusations of racism.
I am happy that the University felt it worthwhile to alert students to the dangers of crime on campus. However, in the aftermath of Martin Luther King Day, the University should feel compelled to use equal discretion for all racial groups, non-minority as well as minority, when giving descriptions of alleged criminals.
Michael Benz, College '06
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.