There has been a lot of angst and misunderstanding in recent Wespeaks about respect, identity, and pride, and I have noticed a consistent theme throughout this debate: people are fighting the wrong fight. People are questioning the answers when they should be questioning the questions. To all who contributed positively to the debate about personal expression, whether on the front of accepting sex, race, or free exchange of ideas, I truly respect all of you. However, instead of deciding which binary viewpoint we, as the Wesleyan community, like best, we need to get past the narrow-mindedness of the debate.
I don’t care how you identify how you love, whether it be straight or queer or otherwise, but that you love is incredibly important, and something to be honored. I don’t care if you identify as a white student or a student of color, but that you can be proud of yourself as an individual (even if that means drawing on your rich tapestry of social heritage)—that too must be respected. If you feel chalking is positive or destructive, try to come to reasonable rules for acceptable chalking.
We are holding out against each other, and I don’t think it’s what anyone, as a community, wants. I love you all, and I think these issues can be resolved with the respect and love that each of us truly deserves.
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