2008 Woodie Awards
RSSScared? Give back locally
Edit desk
By Liz Wysocki
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Opinion
In the past few days two students were robbed, leading fellow students to feel scared of their surroundings and unsure of what will happen next.
I don't blame them. I'm afraid to walk alone at night after I get home from work or a night class. I'm not going to tell you it's not scary or not to be afraid because you should be. But that doesn't mean we should blame the "townies," as some students affectionately call them. Instead we should work to improve these relations rather than cower in fear every time an incident like this happens.
Over the summer I lived in my off-campus house and saw broken glass scattered across the street from several car break-ins. Most of the stolen items were iPods and purses left in the passenger seat. The common reaction is "Why would someone do this?" followed by anger and generalized contempt towards the South Side. I cannot justify the theft itself. It is a crime, and those who steal should face the consequences. But this is reality and we have to accept it.
The people who break into our cars are human beings. It is highly unlikely these muggings and robberies are random or done on a whim. In case you haven't noticed, Bethlehem is not suburbia. I do not intend to defend these thefts, but I believe it is important that we at least attempt to understand why they happen.
We are surrounded by a community that struggles with crime every day. Walk a few blocks down from the admissions building and you are in a completely different world. Many residents in this area are impoverished and most likely will never have the same privileges as many of us Lehigh students have. Many of them will never drive a BMW, let alone afford a Lehigh education.
Put yourself in this scenario: You are trying to raise a family on the South Side. You need to afford rent, bills and other basic necessities. You work 10 or more hours a day at minimum wage. Your children are unlikely to receive a decent education. You know the local drug addicts and sellers on your street. Some of them are your next door neighbors. Gunshots are not an unfamiliar sound as you try to fall asleep at night. I could go on, but you get the point.
Now imagine your bills are overdue. Your landlord is threatening to throw you out because you can't afford the rent and you're left desperate for money. Let's face it, you would smash a car window and steal the iPod too.
If you think this is an exaggeration of how some residents live, then apparently you haven't set foot past Quiznos.
Now, given this scenario, imagine seeing a 20-year-old drive past you in a Lexus. Odds are good that he or she hasn't lifted a finger or ever experienced a "tough situation". Wouldn't you feel resentment? Wouldn't you be frustrated that you work these long hours just to make ends meet and the average Lehigh student complains about how expensive liquor can be?
Bethlehem residents have every right to be angry and frustrated that there is such blatant wealth at Lehigh and that we aren't doing enough to help them.
That isn't to say we aren't doing anything to help. Our community service office sponsors great events like Spooktacular and Spring Fling. Many Greek organizations raise money and collect donations. Many clubs and individuals devote a great amount of time with tutoring, donating and other ways of aiding the South Side community.
We need more of this. Lehigh has plenty of money and resources. We need to use them often and do something about this huge socioeconomic divide within blocks of our academic buildings.
There are things you can do as an individual. Buy a few extra cans of soup. Collect those extra bottles of shampoo and toothpaste. Find someone with a car and give it to those who need it. Take the time to tutor a child. Next time you're out to buy a new dress for that date party, pick up an extra scarf or hat to give to someone who may not have winter clothing. You live in Bethlehem. You can take an extra 10 minutes out of your day to do something positive.
While you're sitting in your room, stalking your friends on Facebook or pretending to study for your next quiz, realize that your life really isn't all that difficult. Someone a few blocks from your dorm will never afford the things you can. Give back. You owe it to Lehigh, to Bethlehem and to yourself.
So next time you get that safety bulletin, don't treat it as another reason to be angry at Bethlehem. Crime will happen regardless of where you are. We know there is a community desperate for help. Do something about it.
Liz Wysocki is a senior English and political science major. She is the associate news editor online for The Brown and White.
I don't blame them. I'm afraid to walk alone at night after I get home from work or a night class. I'm not going to tell you it's not scary or not to be afraid because you should be. But that doesn't mean we should blame the "townies," as some students affectionately call them. Instead we should work to improve these relations rather than cower in fear every time an incident like this happens.
Over the summer I lived in my off-campus house and saw broken glass scattered across the street from several car break-ins. Most of the stolen items were iPods and purses left in the passenger seat. The common reaction is "Why would someone do this?" followed by anger and generalized contempt towards the South Side. I cannot justify the theft itself. It is a crime, and those who steal should face the consequences. But this is reality and we have to accept it.
The people who break into our cars are human beings. It is highly unlikely these muggings and robberies are random or done on a whim. In case you haven't noticed, Bethlehem is not suburbia. I do not intend to defend these thefts, but I believe it is important that we at least attempt to understand why they happen.
We are surrounded by a community that struggles with crime every day. Walk a few blocks down from the admissions building and you are in a completely different world. Many residents in this area are impoverished and most likely will never have the same privileges as many of us Lehigh students have. Many of them will never drive a BMW, let alone afford a Lehigh education.
Put yourself in this scenario: You are trying to raise a family on the South Side. You need to afford rent, bills and other basic necessities. You work 10 or more hours a day at minimum wage. Your children are unlikely to receive a decent education. You know the local drug addicts and sellers on your street. Some of them are your next door neighbors. Gunshots are not an unfamiliar sound as you try to fall asleep at night. I could go on, but you get the point.
Now imagine your bills are overdue. Your landlord is threatening to throw you out because you can't afford the rent and you're left desperate for money. Let's face it, you would smash a car window and steal the iPod too.
If you think this is an exaggeration of how some residents live, then apparently you haven't set foot past Quiznos.
Now, given this scenario, imagine seeing a 20-year-old drive past you in a Lexus. Odds are good that he or she hasn't lifted a finger or ever experienced a "tough situation". Wouldn't you feel resentment? Wouldn't you be frustrated that you work these long hours just to make ends meet and the average Lehigh student complains about how expensive liquor can be?
Bethlehem residents have every right to be angry and frustrated that there is such blatant wealth at Lehigh and that we aren't doing enough to help them.
That isn't to say we aren't doing anything to help. Our community service office sponsors great events like Spooktacular and Spring Fling. Many Greek organizations raise money and collect donations. Many clubs and individuals devote a great amount of time with tutoring, donating and other ways of aiding the South Side community.
We need more of this. Lehigh has plenty of money and resources. We need to use them often and do something about this huge socioeconomic divide within blocks of our academic buildings.
There are things you can do as an individual. Buy a few extra cans of soup. Collect those extra bottles of shampoo and toothpaste. Find someone with a car and give it to those who need it. Take the time to tutor a child. Next time you're out to buy a new dress for that date party, pick up an extra scarf or hat to give to someone who may not have winter clothing. You live in Bethlehem. You can take an extra 10 minutes out of your day to do something positive.
While you're sitting in your room, stalking your friends on Facebook or pretending to study for your next quiz, realize that your life really isn't all that difficult. Someone a few blocks from your dorm will never afford the things you can. Give back. You owe it to Lehigh, to Bethlehem and to yourself.
So next time you get that safety bulletin, don't treat it as another reason to be angry at Bethlehem. Crime will happen regardless of where you are. We know there is a community desperate for help. Do something about it.
Liz Wysocki is a senior English and political science major. She is the associate news editor online for The Brown and White.
