What are the causes of the violence at MHCC?

Since the beginning of this term, the trespass list for MHCC has three new members, one of whom clinched his spot with a basketball court fight.

Last week, there was news of the fight breaking out on the basketball courts during Open Gym, which is open to students and community members. The week before finals last term saw two incidents of on-campus violence and/or attempted violence.

We at The Advocate want to know, what gives?

The first two episodes followed hard on the heels of the Thanksgiving holiday, while the most recent came in the first week back from the winter holiday break.

A logical response would be that the stresses of the holiday season can cause some people to lose their grip on their self-control and patience.  While the high amounts of stress involved with planning and traveling for family, shopping for gifts and hosting and/or meeting with family can be reasonably grating on one’s patience, they seem a poor excuse to let fly the hounds of war upon someone who may be irksome.

Thus, it seems to The Advocate the issue for students and community members is the need to heed advice from the Associated Student Government posters right before finals week, and chill out.
To be sure, the first incident involved road rage but also resulted in a student being assaulted with a metal rod. The other two happened in the gym during a basketball game, which can get heated with emotions and adrenaline running high.

However, someone cutting you off to steal a primo parking spot does not warrant a metal rod to the face. Nor does a foul on the court warrant a fistfight or a knife being flashed in the faces of players.

So, while we at The Advocate are assuredly aware of the stresses and strains of college life, we see no reason to use physical force to settle disputes.  A few stern words, an irritated eye-roll or even turning the proverbial other cheek are far more preferable to being run down by Public Safety or the police department and winding up on the MHCC trespass list. That’s one social network no one wants to join.