ED note: If you'd like to read my story about the chant from the front page of today's IDS, it is located both at this link and in a separate post directly below this one. This post is a discussion of the reaction that story captured (or attempted to capture). Thanks for reading. - Eamonn
In this fancy journalism school my non-Indiana-resident parents pay far too much for me to attend, they teach you a lot of really tremendous things. One of the first is this: if you write a story, you're not supposed to harbor an opinion about the topic. Ideally, your mind is supposed to be prejudice-free; you simply present the facts and let the readers decide, regardless of your non-professional views on the issue. (At least, I think that's what they said. That might have been an early class, and mornings are tough for me. I digress.)
So though my editor asked me to do a blog post detailing my "thoughts" about the "stand up, old people" chant from Wednesday night, it won't be hard for me to not express an opinion. Why? I really don't have one.
I thought it was slightly funny at the time - it was certainly clever, to say the least. But in speaking with Georgette Billings, an 88-year old IU diehard today, I can see how the chant could be seen, as she put it, as "a little bit rude." On the other hand, quite a few of those so-called "old people" seemed to respond pretty well to the chant, even - gasp - standing up on command. On the other other hand, they might just have been cheering for IU (though I doubt it).
The one thing I find most interesting about the chant is this: for all the discussion of IU student seating in the media (the IDS, mainly), this was the first in-game, visceral reaction to students losing those North side floor seats this year. The chant didn't seem overly angry at the time, but maybe, in the back of their minds, the students that started the chant were after more than a quick laugh and some waving alumni arms.
As Frank Cuervo said today: "I can't speak to the subconscious." No, he can't; nor can I. But let's hear what you think. Are you genuinely frustrated about your seating situation? Or are you OK with it? Do you despise those who walk in five minutes after tip-off, or are you one of those folks yourself? Where do you draw the line on the "stand up, old people" chant? Was it funny? Over the top? And if it was borne out of anger, how do you think things can get better in Assembly Hall?
Obviously there are lots of questions here - but I'm betting you've got a lot of answers.
