Not an athlete, still a Torero

Ariana Haro / Guest Writer / The USD Vista

By now, I am sure all of you have been into the newly remodeled USD bookstore. While I must say the new changes are welcome, there is however, one great flaw. Above the register, closest to the mail center a sign reads “Torero from the Spanish term toro, and Torero, to fight bulls. A torero signifies courage, honor, and fidelity. Each USD athlete, like the Torero, represents the willingness to stand alone in the ring and accept the challenge.” At first glance this seems to be a great addition to the remodel, however, that does not mean that the sign is without error.

When reading the sign for a second time one notices the phrase “Each USD athlete” and this is where the sign has me puzzled. While we do have over 30 different sports on campus, both NCAA and intramurals, we also have over 80 organizations on campus including Associated Students, Greek Life and those in the Multicultural Center. When asked what the word choice meant to her, Sarah Miralles, an active member of the Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization, replied, “The quote in the bookstore is non-inclusive, and only specifies “athletes” as being true Toreros. Does that mean I am not a Torero because I am not an athlete? Thank you very much for making me feel included in the USD community.”

Senior Kyle Beck of the Theater Arts Department and the Ambassadors Club, had the following to say about the sign. “I, like all students, love our athletes and how they represent the school but I believe by using that word it neglects to recognize a wide variety of students who pour their heart and soul into being a Torero. The message they wish to portray is a good one that I can agree with but what people need to know is all students show their fidelity to USD in different ways, whether it is a person like me staying late into the night to produce a great play or a science major working on research.”

As for me, I almost could not attend USD this year for financial reasons, but I stepped into the ring and fought my way back because I am a Torero and this is where I belong. The sign is a slap in the face to students like me that do not participate in sports but still give everything to this university. If this school were truly a place of acceptance and diversity, they would change the wording of this sign. By making the simple change from athlete to students, the definition would become inclusive of all groups on campus, then and only then would that be the true definition of a Torero.