In my address to the administration’s lack of action against hate crimes on Wednesday, I mentioned that I thought there should mandatory BiLeGaTa’s for the athletic teams and the coaches. I was trying to name one, of many, many different groups that need reaching out to, in the larger goal of making Wesleyan a safer place. However, my remarks were counterproductive and perpetuated false stereotypes and assumptions, something I did not intend to do. In Wesleyan history since 1980 more hate crimes were perpetrated by fraternity members than any other groups combined, although probably a tiny portion of the fraternity population. Foolishly, that is why athletes were the first to come to my mind. Yet, I would hate for any part of my statement, however thoughtless, to detract from a real and pressing problem. That problem is protecting students from hate crimes.
There have been a lot of arguments in preceding wespeaks about how to solve that problem, whether to use radical tactics or education. But this is a safety issue, not a philosophical debate. And bickering over the definition of queer doesn’t stop hate crimes; squabbling wespeaks don’t stop hate crimes. Large meetings where everyone gets angry at each other and few end up taking any action doesn’t make me feel any safer.
We need to protect future freshman who may come to Wes closeted and ashamed of their sexuality. These freshmen won’t be in a position to reach out for support, should they be a victim of another hate crime.
It is important that, in our efforts for change, we take thoughtful and sensitive steps. But stopping hate crimes, not armchair intellectual arguments should be our first priority. I will be attending a Wesleyan Queer Collective meeting with ideas for action, see you there.
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