LETTER: Remember tolerance
Editor,
Being Mormon is right. Being Muslim is wrong. Being white is right. Being black is wrong. Being American is right. Being foreign is wrong. And finally – being straight is right. Being gay is wrong. We are all different.
Believe it or not there is a world outside of Logan, with all its diversity. I know it, this is where I come from. How often do we hear about hate crimes on national TV? How many Mormon missionaries have been beaten for their beliefs around the world? And what is the opinion of God-abiding Utahns? How many gays have been beaten and murdered? I can hear silence here.
I am not bothered when on the front page I read about General Conference. Although I am Catholic, I understand the predominant religion in Utah is Mormonism, and people are interested in church business. I think this editorial shouldn’t be on the front page because it has little to do with USU and activities on campus. Because of the importance of Coming Out Day to many USU students I understand why the article found its place there.
And I’m fine with it. What about the Coming Out Day? Well, it was in Logan (1. it’s local), it took place on the USU campus (2. it deals with USU activities), it’s about a small group of people who have the guts to admit they are gay (3. a bit of diversity). Oops, I guess this should be one of the reasons why it should not be on the first page.
Anything that doesn’t fit a view of a white, LDS, narrow-minded Utahn (hopefully not a majority of people here) cannot be put on the front page. The beauty of living in a free country is the freedom one enjoys. We have the freedom to speak out openly, to have our own opinion, and to be who we are. Oh, and we have the freedom of choice, too.
I can read whatever I want. And one can choose if he wants to be openly gay or not. I don’t intend to change anyone’s views. I’m exercising my right to have my opinion. Just like the editors of The Statesman have the right to choose articles for the front page of the newspaper. And in my opinion, they have been doing a great job this year.
Krzysztof Bzymek