 So,
MTV is coming to campus again. Wonderful.
By this point there has been more than one commentary by our ever-capable
music critic on exactly what’s wrong with MTV culturally and
musically, and you’ve heard from the paper as a whole on what
we think of MTV moving in on another campus event.
Those points have been made before; the question I’m concerned
with is this- why is Appalachian, a public university whose stated
purpose is academics, so concerned with looking good for MTV, a
private corporation whose only purpose is the almighty dollar?
At a recent Homecoming presentation, MTV’s representatives
told members of various Appalachian campus groups that they wished
to avoid bad press. Homecoming regulations this year are more restrictive
than in previous years, while other events are being made larger
than ever before.
I’m sure there are other reasons involved, I don’t think
it’s any coincidence the stricter regulations and larger events
coincide with MTV’s arrival.
So a yearly event for Appalachian, where students have the opportunity
to express themselves, is becoming a made-for-TV event to be co-opted
and exploited by MTV.
Wait, didn’t MTV ask to come here in the first place?
Yes, they did. So, shouldn’t they be going out of their way
to accommodate Appalachian, rather than the other way around? Shouldn’t
they actually have some interest in the truth of what goes on here?
If MTV seriously wants to avoid bad press, especially from us, they
might want to start by actually giving an honest depiction of what
they see, and honesty is not something MTV is known for.
If any readers out there wonder why I’m just a bit hostile
about all this, its because I remember what happened last time.
When MTV last came here, they similarly stole another event. The
Polar Plunge is usually a way for clubs and students to express
themselves, have some fun and raise money for a good cause. In the
hands of MTV, it came off as yet another wild college party event,
something they could use to service the plot of one of their insipid
Road Rules shows. A nice tradition, not to mention the people involved,
became just something else they could process and churn out to make
money.
Contrary to popular belief, MTV could not care less about accurately
representing our campus’ genuine and interesting Homecoming
stories.
I can’t see into the future. I don’t know exactly how
the finished segment with Appalachian will look once MTV’s
editors have sliced and diced it. I don’t know what tone it
will take, or how it will try to stereotype our university.
In short, I don’t know what it will be. But I know what it
won’t be: the truth.
Their loss. Money and fame are fleeting, and Appalachian and our
traditions will be here standing in the mountains long after MTV
has turned tail and gone back to the glitter-soaked meccas of greed
that are their usual stomping grounds.
The real Homecoming story will still be there, far from their cameras.
If you want to see it, turn off the TV and take a walk down King
Street. Spend the day watching the Homecoming game, marching in
the parade, getting drunk, taking some time with friends or the
one you love or whatever else you feel like. Live some.
Fame is short, life is not. |
