The Daily Tar Heel
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The Daily Tar Heel

Letter:? Photo did not ?represent NP-HC well

TO THE EDITOR:

When I saw the cover of The Daily Tar Heel this past Friday, I was thoroughly confused. A picture of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. at the National Pan-Hellenic Council’s annual step show was prominently displayed. I didn’t understand why something like the step show made the front page when several of our organizations have made valuable service efforts in the community. Secondly, if the photo was intended to portray the step show, I was curious as to why Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. was on the front page considering Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. won first place. 

Thirdly, I was confused as to why a photo from the step show was used to complement an article about NP-HC’s pursuit of plots. Not only was I confused, I was offended by the headline. We have a name. We are not the “minority fraternities and sororities.” We are the National Pan-Hellenic Council. When an article is written about the Interfraternity Council or Panhellenic Council they are not referred to as the “majority fraternities and sororities.” Using that phrase to identify our council is not absolutely correct, as the Greek Alliance Council could also be referred to as such.

As a journalist myself, I was disappointed by the choices made to reflect this story. The picture does not accurately reflect the story’s content.

The step show had nothing to do with the article and once again perpetuates the negative image that our organizations are performance based. The image chosen also reinforces the stereotype that black men are dangerous, threatening and intimidating.

I was disappointed, to say the least, by several of the choices made by the DTH and felt that someone should have pointed them out before the page went to print.

Alyssa Townsend

Senior

NP-HC President

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