"Punks Ruin Free Expression Tunnel"

"Punks Ruin Free Expression Tunnel"

This start-of-the-year column by Steven Crisp continues his trend of name-calling and the use of inflammatory language to rail against "punks" who supposedly defaced the Free Expression Tunnel with "Satanic" graffiti. Crisp argues that the Free Expression Tunnel should be a safe space for student groups and individuals to advertise events or write pieces of philosophy and thought. However, he is particularly concerned with more recent usage of the tunnel as a place to write racial epithets in a "turf war" between whites and African Americans. In addition, Crisp's column lacks any argument besides hysterical ranting about a supposed group of "punks" who have embraced some kind of nihilistic lifestyle and philosophy. This column, as well as the two that appeared before it, and additional columns railing against everything from women's rights to abortion resulted in another column on September 4 defending himself against increasing criticism from around campus.

Steven Crisp

Steven Crisp, "Punks Ruin Free Expression Tunnel," The Technician vol. LXXIV no. 7 (August 31, 1992): 6.

1992-08-31

Cheryl Dong

newspaper article

For generations of students at N.C. State University, the Free Expression Tunnel was a primary venue for announcements and gripes. Service and club athletic organizations, fraternities and academic groups displayed their meeting times and other information

Individual students vented their own philosophies, which were provocative and thought-provoking. Virtually everyone participated in, or at least appreciated, the fanatically scrawled words of derision railed against our rivals in sporting events.

But things have changed.

Most of the writings now painted on these venerable walls are simple vulgar expressions of profanity and hatred.

Four-letter words abound. Cries of white superiority wash over messages of black power

Even more disturbing is the recent appearance of satanic cult symbolism, particularly the blatant use of the pentagram interspersed with associated slogans

There continues to exist legitimate announcements and philosophical procolamations, but these are soon covered with writings and images of a truly vile nature

The character “Bob” has been a source of amusement to me when considering its underlying significance.”

However, the painted expression of “no future” and “love death” frankly scare me.

The tunnel seems to have been taken over by those who care little about themselves and even less about others. These death lovers with no future, otherwise known as punks, are not espousing a way of life. They are preaching a void of nothingness.

newspaper article