On the Michigan State University campus, on Farm Lane, there is a large rock that serves as a totem pole for the MSU community.
Following the murder of three MSU students by a lunatic illegally carrying a handgun, images of an anti-gun message painted on a rock appeared in numerous media reports.
But some students had painted a pro-campus carry message on the rock: “Allow us to defend ourselves & carry on campus.” That didn’t get nearly as much media attention.
The rock on Michigan State’s campus was re-painted yesterday with a message saying…
“Allow us to defend ourselves & carry on campus” pic.twitter.com/jox29N4rny
— Chris Palombi (@ChrisPalombi) February 16, 2023
It appears to be a simple and straightforward message promoting the fundamental right to self-defense.
That didn’t sit well with some, who chose to ignore campus tradition and paint over the pro-civil rights message rather than debate the merits of campus carry in keeping students safe.
College: an oasis of totalitarianism in a desert of free speech http://t.co/oLgUlSyoRc
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) December 9, 2013
Two female Michigan State students, a sociology graduate student, and an undergrad
decided to cover up a pro-campus carry the message on a campus rock.
Graduate student Katrina Groeller and junior Rylee Warner are painting over the Rock, which was repainted last night with “allow us to defend ourselves and carry guns on campus.” @thesnews pic.twitter.com/OwIvCeuVE4
— Devin Anderson-Torrez (@TorrezDevin) February 15, 2023
They simply couldn’t let a pro-campus carry, pro-self-defense message reach students who had just been targeted by a murderer.
From The State News:
The Rock on Farm Lane is a campus landmark that it is painted almost daily to represent the thoughts of community members. Before game days, the rock showcases rivalry and team spirit. During political unrest, the rock is painted over by who want to share a message.
By early Tuesday morning, the rock asked a question to those who walked by: “How many more?”
The message followed the mass shooting on campus Monday night that left three dead and five in critical condition. Community members placed flowers around the rock in honor of the three lives lost.By Wednesday morning, the rock had been repainted, stating, “Allow us to defend ourselves & carry on campus.”
Sociology graduate student Kitty Groeller and chemistry junior Rylee Warner— two students who have never met each other — saw the message and decided to cover it up.
“I woke up this morning and heard about the Rock being painted over. And I understand that students are grieving. And we all grieve in different ways, but you can’t force someone else to grieve in your way,” Warner said. “Tradition is to not paint over it … But tradition doesn’t matter right now, what matters is are students grieving and taking their time.”(0;32)
“Tradition is not to paint over it, but tradition doesn’t matter right now.” Especially now, because feelings and emotions are more important than logic and reason.
As someone who took a few sociology classes a generation ago, I can attest that, outside of social statistics, critical thinking and logic aren’t a big part of sociology studies.
Alternatively, decisions have consequences. Ignoring the proven, life-saving benefits of gun ownership can have disastrous results.
For these less complicated individuals, let us keep it simple: A good guy (or gal) with a gun is the only thing that can stop bad people with evil in their hearts.
When the bad guy arrives, intent on slaughtering as many defenseless sheep as possible, there are no sheepdogs to protect the flock if your local laws prohibit people from carrying firearms for self-defense.