Editorial: Bigoted ignorance is not bliss for victims
Issue date: 10/27/05 Section: Opinion
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A hate crime was committed on campus, and yet only residents and faculty seem to be aware of it.
Sure, there were flyers posted on the NDNU residents' doors, and some teachers found it necessary to discuss the crime with their students, but the entire campus community was truly not informed.
My question is why? When something like this happens, there is normally a response or a statement from the upper administration. But the campus community has received nothing.
Many have asked why the president hasn't released a statement denouncing this negative act? It would be comforting for those students on campus who are gay to know that the president and those who hold offices in upper administration are aware of the incident and do not condone it.
All students have the right to attend class in a safe and diverse setting, and we believe that the president must speak out.
We all know the saying, "Better late than never." Well, that's right, a few short words on the topic would be greatly appreciated by students of this university.
It has been sickening to witness the university's inability to make something positive come out this terrible event. This issue has been swept under the rug, as if it never happened. Something should be done to educate students and faculty members about the acceptance of diversity.
Why is this crime so taboo, and why doesn't anyone really want to talk about it? What if a racial slur was scribbled on a resident's door? Would that incident have been given greater exposure?
We think so.
Does the lack of action evolve from the fact that this is a Catholic institution? I hope not, but this weak response prompts uncertainty about the university's stance on protecting gay students.
To that individual or group who committed this crime, we would like to provide some insight on how things are done in this particular region of California. Welcome to the Bay Area! Diversity is embraced and those of us who are gay, straight, transgender, or whatever, flaunt it because we are not ashamed.
If gay people bother you so much, don't even think about going to the Castro for Halloween. The Bay Area is a place where sensitivity and understanding toward those who are different is emphasized at a young age.
It is truly disheartening to see that a student or a group of students has no concept of these simple things.
To you door-defacers, we offer two scenarios - either continue to bask in your overwhelming ignorance, or make an attempt to realize the magnitude of what you have done. You have offended and hurt a fellow student, and on top of that, you enraged a great majority of the campus community.
It is not those who allow this campus to be diverse that are the problem here. To put it simply, it is you.
We hope you keep wondering if some one saw you.
Somebody always sees something.
Sure, there were flyers posted on the NDNU residents' doors, and some teachers found it necessary to discuss the crime with their students, but the entire campus community was truly not informed.
My question is why? When something like this happens, there is normally a response or a statement from the upper administration. But the campus community has received nothing.
Many have asked why the president hasn't released a statement denouncing this negative act? It would be comforting for those students on campus who are gay to know that the president and those who hold offices in upper administration are aware of the incident and do not condone it.
All students have the right to attend class in a safe and diverse setting, and we believe that the president must speak out.
We all know the saying, "Better late than never." Well, that's right, a few short words on the topic would be greatly appreciated by students of this university.
It has been sickening to witness the university's inability to make something positive come out this terrible event. This issue has been swept under the rug, as if it never happened. Something should be done to educate students and faculty members about the acceptance of diversity.
Why is this crime so taboo, and why doesn't anyone really want to talk about it? What if a racial slur was scribbled on a resident's door? Would that incident have been given greater exposure?
We think so.
Does the lack of action evolve from the fact that this is a Catholic institution? I hope not, but this weak response prompts uncertainty about the university's stance on protecting gay students.
To that individual or group who committed this crime, we would like to provide some insight on how things are done in this particular region of California. Welcome to the Bay Area! Diversity is embraced and those of us who are gay, straight, transgender, or whatever, flaunt it because we are not ashamed.
If gay people bother you so much, don't even think about going to the Castro for Halloween. The Bay Area is a place where sensitivity and understanding toward those who are different is emphasized at a young age.
It is truly disheartening to see that a student or a group of students has no concept of these simple things.
To you door-defacers, we offer two scenarios - either continue to bask in your overwhelming ignorance, or make an attempt to realize the magnitude of what you have done. You have offended and hurt a fellow student, and on top of that, you enraged a great majority of the campus community.
It is not those who allow this campus to be diverse that are the problem here. To put it simply, it is you.
We hope you keep wondering if some one saw you.
Somebody always sees something.