Johnny Hart, creator of the comic “B.C.,” among others, died of a stroke last Saturday. I always liked the physical gags and wordplays in most “B.C.” strips, but one feature always stuck in my side on Sundays.
While Hart could very well have been a wonderful man, he often used the Sunday comics page as an opportunity to have ants and clams quote Bible scripture to each other and make unveiled sermons to the reader. I don’t mind church humor, but Hart straight-up crossed the line of taste directly into preaching. An otherwise fine comic staple was spoiled nearly weekly because of the author’s biases.
As a copy editor, part of my job is to comb through stories for grammatical mistakes, but also for matters of opinion when an article is supposed to be grounded in fact. Conversely, the Viewpoints section is prone to historical statements that don’t come with citations, and it’s my job to check editorials for matters of possibly faulty fact that could use citations. Flattening out opinions in stories almost feels like roboticizing the news, but it’s necessary to get readers the straight scoop, hindered (I mean, supported!) only by writing style. However, reporters are free to record what campus kids have to say about matters – so I encourage you to track down any Daily Gamecock reporters and give them a piece of your mind. Or e-mail whichever section you think could use a heads-up on breaking news or important issues and they’ll get right on it.
I’m not worried that we have a once-a-week inappropriate story, but feedback from readers is a strong line of defense against pulling a “B.C.”
-- Thomas Maluck
Copy editor
3 comments:
Pardon me, but your juvenile bias against people of faith is showing. It is sad and disapointing that the ancient wisdom of holy script is considered by you to be in bad taste.
Keep in mind that the comic strip BC was supported by market forces, that is, by newspapers and millions of readers who could have ended publication of the strip had they found it in bad taste.
Whereas, your vacuous rants in The Gamecock are subsidized by taxpayers who pay your bills because Government holds a gun to their heads.
Bias against people of faith?
Maybe the guy just isn't Christian. Ever thought of that, anonymous?
And I'm pretty sure The Gamecock isn't funded by taxpayers' dollars. I worked there when I was at USC and everything was paid for by advertising dollars.
You obviously hate the paper, yet continue to read it. Get over it.
The best way to pay tribute to someone is to subtly bash them.
I love you people at the Gamecock. You are just the best.
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