Finding the Balance between Violence, UP, and the Ying-Yang Twins

On Friday night, a University of Alabama student and Iraq War veteran was gunned down in a residential area following a Ying-Yang Twins concert on campus. According to reports, this incident had little to do with the concert, but students are already pointing fingers. Among the blamed is the group University Programs (UP), the organization responsible for bringing the YYT to Tuscaloosa.

This is just another black-eye for the maligned UP, who were heavily criticized earlier this week for separating (some would say segregating) the YYT and another act, country singer Neal McCoy.

Having been a student at UA since 2002, I can honestly say I don't remember a time when UP wasn't criticized, be it for concert selections or issues of fiscal accountability. Perhaps it's time for the group's leadership to take a step back and analyze how they fit into the University's purpose and even consider leadership changes.

Whatever happens, though, I hope the race-baiters will stay silent and let school administrators decide how this should be handled.