by Dustin
Curry
Contributing writer
www.dustincurry.com
Let me start by saying that I wholeheartedly agree with the freedom of expression of opinion and believe that all people should have the chance to speak their minds. It’s with that freedom that I write this article.
Even those who have opinions contrary to my own should be able to voice those opinions proudly and without constraint.
However, when I saw anonymous “What is Sin?” fliers plastered all over the Student Union cafeteria, I have to say that I was more than offended by the content.
Just as all people have the freedom to speak their minds, they also have the freedom to offend. My complaint is not with the offense.
My complaint lies with the fact that these fliers, which equate people’s lifestyles—smoking, drinking, even homosexuality—with such illegal and immoral activities as murder and rape, made it into widespread distribution at a university known for open-mindedness and tolerance.
Additionally, the fact that this flier went out the day of SE Live and possibly intimidated many potential recruits is shameful and disgraceful. To make this university, which I have known to be so welcoming and diverse, seem so intolerant and closed-minded is unforgivable.
My complaint lies with the fact that this slipped through the cracks of the Office of Student Life, which approved it for distribution. After a brief conversation with Liz Howard, the director of Student Life, I learned that the flier should not have been approved and was being removed immediately.
What disappoints me the most is that there are still people out there who seek to make others feel unwelcome. Like I said before, you have the freedom to offend me, but when you start to intimidate and treat my friends like second-class citizens, then you’re asking for trouble.
Therefore, to the anonymous individuals who so cowardly and intolerantly posted these hurtful fliers, I hope that you find companionship amongst yourselves, because you will have none of mine.
The flier concludes with “JESUS LOVES YOU…JUST LIKE YOU ARE!!!” I therefore propose to the distributors of these fliers, that you re-examine the word “hypocrisy” as it is printed under the list of sins on your fliers.