October 10, 2000
Opinions
articles
| Editorial:
Time for Unity Not Contempt |
| Letters: letters to the editor |
| Column:
why st. nick was carried away Locked in a Hole |
| Wespeaks:
Bennet Silences Bennet Youth |
| Wespeaks:
This is Satan’s Election |
| Wespeaks:
Thanks For Blood |
| Wespeaks:
Lay Off the Ampersand |
| Wespeaks:
Writer Defends Argus |
Editorial:
Time for Unity Not Contempt
The recent barrage of negative chalkings directed against DKE has left the Wesleyan community in a precarious position. While some believe these chalkings are justified against a fraternity with an arguably homophobic history, we believe they are more damaging to QA and the queer community as a whole. The overall voice presented by the chalkings comes across as a hypocritical, hate-filled attack, in direct contradiction with a mission that should be more about communication and mutual understanding. It sets up a dangerous "us vs. they" dichotomy, leading only to greater conflict. While QA condemns slanderous comments made against queers, it finds no problem in returning equally bigoted slander. The intended message of the chalkings still remains unexplained for the year, and many only reinforce the stereotypes already at work.
It is a sad reality that these chalkings don’t speak for the queer community as a whole. Anonymous attacks by individuals with a confrontational agenda serve more to scare questioning queers or those who seek unity back into the closet. A significant queer population prefers not to identify with QA for this reason, and we urge the current members to be more cautious about the messages they convey. Unfortunately, their voice is the most noticed and ends up stigmatizing others who do not share their opinions. While we understand the chalkings are meant to provide solidarity and salience to a community which is often ignored, lately they have been destroying important progress toward harmony.
Gandhi succeeded through loving those who hated him. King’s dream was all about walking hand-in-hand, not falling to the same level as those who opposed him. The chalkings should be reevaluated in light of how far we’ve all come and a more positive message should be achieved. A time for healing is in order.
It’s easy to throw a stone at your enemy and label him a "homophobe," but it’s harder still to talk to him and help him understand the consequences of his views. In the end, the only way the hate will stop is to stop hating first.
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