6NEWS

A controversial article has stirred emotions on the campus of Winthrop University.

A controversial article is published in the Winthrop student newspaper. The author is being called racist. Some want the editor-in-chief to lose her job.

Last week, the copies of Winthrop’s campus newspaper, The Johnsonian disappeared from racks a lot faster than normal. The headlines had nothing to do with the paper moving out so fast; rather it was an editorial piece that had the campus buzzing.

Christine Byington started her article by saying “black people at Winthrop will probably be angry.” She was right.

“I was so upset that I couldn’t go to sleep that night,” Winthrop student Christine Alexander said.

Since then, Alexander has spent her time writing letters to the editor.

“Some of the points she made were stereotypical and basically degrading,” Alexander said.

The column called on blacks to stop asking for hand outs and work harder in order to improve their lives. Several hundred of Winthrop’s students met last Thursday to talk about the article.

“The wording in the article came off as racist,” said Winthrop student Andrew Williams.

Some students have called for the university to take action.

“Some people have called for me to resign and the staff to resign, but that is not going to happen, said Johnsonian editor Rebekah Woodson.

Woodson says she would run the column again.

“This was her opinion and she clearly has the right to express it,” said Woodson.

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A university spokesperson said freedom of the press and the university’s mission to be a market place for ideas will keep them from stepping in.

Byington is getting support for her article on the school’s website and some Winthrop students believe the article is getting more attention that it deserves.

“The way that everyone is acting just proves her right. I don’t think you should fight ignorance with ignorance,” said Winthrop student Dalla McFarland.

Byington did show up at Thursday night’s meeting to defend her piece. 6NEWS tried to contact her to see if she would talk about her stance. Our reporters were told Byington is out of town and they do not know when she will be back.

The Johnsonian plans to print all the letters to the editor it receives on the subject. Another meeting is planned for this Thursday after the next edition of the Johnsonian comes out.