CRLS Students Decry Media

After a rash of negative media publicity over two recent stabbings, Cambridge Rindge and Latin students insist they've gotten a bum rap.

Students said the press has inaccurately portrayed the school as a breeding ground for violence. They said media coverage has unfairly spotlighted the arrest of four Rindge and Latin students, allegedly involved in the stabbings.

The Boston Globe reported that Rindge and Latin students have actively supported their classmates who are being prosecuted for the stabbings. The Globe has also quoted students who said they blamed the stabbing victims for the incidents.

Students yesterday vehemently disputed The Globe's coverage.

"While [the stabbing incidents give a] bad picture of the school, it's really not like that," said junior Neena N. Lewis.

If people would come to Rindge and Latin, they would see "a bunch of people getting along together, most of the time," said junior Robert D. Barberian.

Rindge and Latin junior Jesse Kline was arrested for allegedly stabbing a Boston University law student Saturday night. The incident came just weeks after three Rindge and Latin students were arrested for the murder of MIT student Yngve K. Raustein.

Students said they see the two events separately.

Referring to the students involved, one senior who requested anonymity said the MIT stabbing "wasn't a surprise."

"A lot of people here believe the kids who killed the MIT student should be charged for life," said the senior.

The case of Kline is different, according to the senior. "A lot of people know Jesse," he said. "He's not per-fect, but he's a good, average kid."

Rindge and Latin administrators yesterday alsodisputed The Globe's coverage.

"The media paints the entire school with thesame brush based on the activity of two studentsout of 2,500," said Albert H. Giroux, publicinformation director for the Cambridge schooldistrict.

`Totally Independent Situations'

According to Giroux, the two incidents were notpart of a pattern of violence at the school butwere "totally independent situations" involvingRindge and Latin students who travelled indifferent circles.

Students said the recent violence is not uniqueto Rindge and Latin but is a reflection of anincrease in violence in Cambridge.

"The point is our community is getting more andmore violent," said sophomore Sara E. Reese."That's what we should focus on."

"People are always saying look [at violence inother communities]. It's getting just as badhere," said Lewis. "Stop worrying about what'sgoing on in [other areas] and take a look atCambridge.