Letter to the Editor
Skye Alexander
Issue date: 11/17/05 Section: Opinion
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Dear Editor,
I was appalled to learn in Oct. 27's Argonaut that a student was the victim of a homophobic attack on campus. The support that the NDNU community has shown for gay students has made me feel not only welcome, but able to let down my guard as an openly gay student.
But apparently I let it down too soon. We're not safe here after all, it turns out.
After all our work and organizing and forcing ourselves to come out to our families and our teachers and our bosses, no matter how ignorant they are, so that every time a gay bashing happens, people who would like to turn their backs on the problem instead have to face us and take action.
And after the work in this community to build alliances, out of the knowledge that the only way for any of us to be safe is to make sure that all of us are free.
Allowing a culture of ignorance and hate to fester on this campus can only hurt all of us. Covering up out of fear or embarrassment cannot help any of us.
If violence against gays and lesbians is allowed to pass unpunished, other violence will come on its heels. The NDNU community needs to support the prosecution of this crime.
We need to make this a safe place for gay students, faculty, and staff. Every single one of us will suffer the consequences of participating in the death of civil rights, if we don't.
Skye Alexander
BA 2000/MM candidate
I was appalled to learn in Oct. 27's Argonaut that a student was the victim of a homophobic attack on campus. The support that the NDNU community has shown for gay students has made me feel not only welcome, but able to let down my guard as an openly gay student.
But apparently I let it down too soon. We're not safe here after all, it turns out.
After all our work and organizing and forcing ourselves to come out to our families and our teachers and our bosses, no matter how ignorant they are, so that every time a gay bashing happens, people who would like to turn their backs on the problem instead have to face us and take action.
And after the work in this community to build alliances, out of the knowledge that the only way for any of us to be safe is to make sure that all of us are free.
Allowing a culture of ignorance and hate to fester on this campus can only hurt all of us. Covering up out of fear or embarrassment cannot help any of us.
If violence against gays and lesbians is allowed to pass unpunished, other violence will come on its heels. The NDNU community needs to support the prosecution of this crime.
We need to make this a safe place for gay students, faculty, and staff. Every single one of us will suffer the consequences of participating in the death of civil rights, if we don't.
Skye Alexander
BA 2000/MM candidate