TO THE EDITOR:
I tried my best not to be offended — I really did. But as I scanned this week’s email updates from Carolina Fever, I just couldn’t help it. Referring to the leader of the Catholic Church as “Big Papa”? Saying that you “can’t trust anyone who is elected by a fireplace,” but that “sorting hats are a viable form of election”? Not funny.
Now, don’t get me wrong — as a Tar Heel, I’ll be the first to say that I hope we beat Notre Dame in every sport. As a Catholic, however, I’ll also be the first to tell you that making jokes about Pope Francis and poking fun at a 2000-year-old faith tradition is not OK. Yes, Notre Dame is a Catholic school, but that is not the reason we should root against them.
I get it. We’re in the South, where Catholics are certainly in the minority. To be honest, some of the traditions of the church might seem a little strange to those who aren’t familiar with the faith. But for a place like UNC, which claims to tolerate and respect all perspectives, it is disappointing to see such remarks being made without consideration for those whose faith is just as important (if not more important) to them as the outcome of a sporting event.
Madison Chandler ’17
Exercise and sport science
