On April 28 I was arrested. I live on Norwich and was walking home with my girlfriend when the police had just told everyone to get inside. As I explained to them I lived farther down the street they thought I was talking back, this led to mace, handcuffs and my arrest. On its own, this action caused substantial problems for me. Then came Thursday, on that day the Lantern printed an article on the front page concerning my arrest. Unfortunately it went much further, it basically ripped me apart.
The problem was the article was almost entirely lies. The article claimed I was “instigating others to throw bottles and rocks at police.” This is absolutely absurd. In fact, I was the first one arrested that evening. I heard the radio call in the paddy wagon when things began being thrown at cops.
The article also claims I “… explained to the cops that because (I) was Brutus the Buckeye for the 2000-2001 football season, it would be in their best interest not to arrest (me).” Again this could not be further from the truth, I spoke with one of the officers who arrested me a couple days ago and she laughed at this. She had no idea she arrested a previous Brutus. For those that don’t know me, I very rarely told anyone I was Brutus even when I was Brutus. I certainly don’t throw it around now that we have new Brutii, and I am not even playing the role anymore.
The article goes on to say after I “convinced” the officers to let me go I continued to riot, this time starting fires. This statement is the most ridiculous. I was let go between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. because they could not find the arresting officers, because I had been calm and cooperative and because they saw no reason to take me downtown. At this point there was no one on the street, and I certainly was not running around Norwich setting fires by myself.
Finally, the article claims I was in court and had another court date; neither statement is true. I never appeared in court, nor did I have to.
What really burns me up about all this happening is not only did the Lantern not try to contact me before writing the story, but that it went out of its way not to. The reporter was told by superiors not to call me before writing the article. The article was based solely on one anonymous e-mail. The Lantern made no attempt to verify any of the facts from the e-mail except that I was arrested.
That such a blatant personal attack on me ever made it into print absolutely blows me away; and that it made it to the front page simply highlights the poor journalism, leadership and organization of the Lantern. I have decided against legal action – that would only bring monetary reward. (Though I could donate it back to the Lantern to go toward a mandatory course in journalistic ethics.)
What is also terrible is the way the Lantern associated all of these lies with two other wonderful organizations on campus. This article of lies put a black eye on the Air Force ROTC program, which has a reputation as one of the best in the country. My alleged use of my status as a former Brutus also hurts that program. The Brutus program is one that deserves more respect and support from this university, not this kind of publicity.
Honor and respect are two things I hold very dear – the Lantern took a shot at both. I have done a lot for this community and campus in four years; it hurts me to take a stab in the back from it. But make no mistake about it, when I was stabbed I still bled scarlet and gray, as I always will. GO BUCKS!
Zak Blom is a senior at Ohio State.
