Letters to the Editor

Dead Days shows one-sidedness of society

I frequently read The Collegian newspaper. Most of the time I find the articles and editorials well written and informative. While I may not always agree with the viewpoints presented, I wholeheartedly support the right to free speech.

The mission of our University is to “provide a high-quality educational opportunity to qualified students.” Part of that education is to teach students to be critical thinkers enabling them with the ability to reason independently in forming their own opinions. Our campus culture also teaches students to be tolerant, sensitive and respectful of other people regardless of race, culture, religion or sexual orientation.

This is why I do not understand why John Rios continues to use the words “Jesus” and “God” in a derogatory manner is his strip, “Dead Days.” I realize there are many people who still use these words in their vocabulary but do we have to publish them in that context? Our society has gone too great lengths remove derogatory words that are offensive to various cultures. The “N” word is one such example. While there are people who still unfortunately use the “N” word, we would not think of publishing it in a newspaper strip.

Why then do we have no problem with printing words that are offensive to Christians? Are these offensive words being printed intentionally to demean Christians or is it because of a lack of understanding? I’m sure my Jewish and Muslim brothers also find the derogatory use of “God” offensive. If we are to truly have a tolerant and open-minded campus then we should refine from using all culturally offensive language, particularly in published form.

— John R. Waayers

Kerry brave for protesting

I was watching “World News Tonight with Peter Jennings” and Kerry was coming under attack for protesting the American involvement in the Vietnam War. I was stunned to think that some might call him less than American for not endorsing spilling blood to affirm American ideals. Dumbfounding, scary, and sadly in the scope of the political machine, Kerry’s alibi was that it was to save Americans’ lives. I thought that if it was not for the machine he might have answered honestly, in that Vietnam was horrifically wasteful and colossally degrading to the human spirit, and a futile assertion of American ideals. I am proud of Kerry to have stood up and spoken way back when he did especially since that is bad politics for a military man. We should appreciate our society being based on free speech—not condemn it.

— Art Sortini