We've received a lot of mail this week about Scott Dochterman's Sunday (June 1) story about "black athletes in white culture," specifically a look at athletes at the University of Iowa.
Two of the letters ran in Tuesday's paper (June 3).
The theme is that The Gazette, and Scott, are making excuses for the behavior of athletes who get in trouble in Iowa City. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Like all citizens, we are concerned about the rash of problems the football team experienced last year. Several of the incidents were minor, mistakes many college-age students make (but the athletes get headlines). Many, however, are inexcuseable.
The intention behind Scott's story was simply to explain that there is a culture difference when student-athletes come from bigger, urban areas to Iowa City. That's not always just a black and white issues.
Right is right and wrong is wrong and all students (and many adults, too) need to know the difference.
No excuses from us. The University of Iowa needs to provide the answers and solutions. It seems that may be happening. But the final verdict still is out.