OPINION & EDITORIAL
Letters to the editor: Oct. 24
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Wednesday, October 24, 2001
I am writing this in response to an article I read on Oct. 22. In response to the article about restricting our Halloween costumes, this idea is ridiculous. Ever since I arrived on campus last year, I have always noticed that there was someone protesting something. I have held my tongue, but this article crossed the line. If we restrict everything we do because we are worried we might offend someone, what will we do?
If I wore a turtleneck to class, some might be offended because I look like a preppie. If I wear jeans and a T-shirt, some might be offended that I look like a scrub. What do I get to wear, Mr. Moran? When do we draw the line?
If I’m not mistaken, I believe there is some sort of document stating that we have the right to express ourselves. Oh yeah, it’s the Bill of Rights. What can we dress like? I was going to be a baby but now I’m worried that babies everywhere will be left in tears.
I will dress anyway I feel this Halloween because it is my right as an American citizen. Mr. Moran feels that by dressing a certain way on Halloween, we may be violating the rights of others. However, by attempting to make us dress differently, you are infringing on our rights. So Mr. Moran, I have some advice for you: Deal with it!
Jacob Slaby, UW sophomore
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In response to the article calling Horowitz a hypocrite — it is possible to defend free speech and to also vehemently disagree with what is being said. Never in the pamphlet does Horowitz claim that Chomsky does not have the right to say what he is saying, rather he stresses his very strong disagreement and his view of Chomsky as being treasonous. Leave the man alone for Christ’s sake.
Timothy Fuller, UW junior
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This weekend I’m asking the UW-Madison student body to respect themselves. What do I mean by “respect themselves?” I’m talking about the proud tradition that the student body upholds here at UW-Madison. You see Badgers and pirates, elves and goblins, but is that all that’s out there?
Imagine being an incoming freshman here and seeing someone on State St. mocking your culture. You might be saying, “What? That wouldn’t happen here, not at UW.”
Wrong.
Last year I witnessed two drunk students with sombreros on stumbling down the street claiming to be drunken Mexicans. I quickly thought of my Mexican-American friends. What would they think about seeing fellow students, whom they interact with on a daily basis, mocking them and their culture? How would you feel? Some people might say, “We’re not maliciously trying to do this, it’s all in good fun”.
I’m writing this to let you know that no matter what your intentions are, your actions are hurtful. Seeing these two “drunken Mexicans” made me wonder how much time and research had gone into these costumes? I wondered if these two UW students would have chosen to dress up like this if they had been sober? Did it even occur to these two students to ask someone who identified as Mexican American how they would feel seeing a “drunken Mexican” for Halloween stumbling down State Street? Did these two individuals ever recognize how it’s a privilege to be able to dress up as someone that’s a different race than yours? Unfortunately, the answer is NO!
As a student of color on this campus, I am asking my fellow UW students to please be respectful of my culture and many other people’s cultures this weekend. If you’re planning on being an “Indian Chief” a “Hula Girl,” “Geisha Girl” or the “White Nigger” (white students with black face and afro wigs) please be aware that these types of costumes are very insulting to students of color on campus. Be cautious of your actions.
Peter Moran, UW student
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I agree entirely with the article by Mr. Lynch (“It doesn’t have to be that way,” Oct. 23). I myself have noticed that there has constantly been this need to just survive in my academic role whether it has been middle school, high school and even college. I don’t want college to be a fight for survival; it should be a celebration and freedom of the intellect and imagination.
A few people actually do enjoy college classes, and however few of them seem to number, they do exist. Changing the rules of midterms and such so that learning is encouraged to be more “progressive” may help, but if students really have the urge to learn something of meaning they can even find it in the required courses they have to do. Every college course offered has some purpose or else it wouldn’t be offered. Students see them too much as a burden instead of a challenge, so perhaps a change of perspective is needed more than anything.
Terrance Rebello, UW freshman
