To those of you out there that have recently responded en masse to previous Wespeaks written by Eric Altneu, Erich Klothen and myself:
There seems to be some misunderstanding as to what our Wespeaks were actually addressing. Somehow, Connie Higgins-Beer was under the impression that I was writing in order to address topics discussed at an anti-hate crime meeting. That was not the case. The aim of my Wespeak was simply to voice my personal distaste for the methods of some members of the queer community here in advancing their lifestyle. Although I appreciate Higgins-Beer’s very generous and not at all condescending attempt to educate me on the finer points of queer politics, I don’t think she (I hope that’s the right pronoun to use, I can’t quite keep up with them these days) really got her point across. Maybe I’ll look for her book on the topic at Broad Street this week.
What myself and others are saying is not to publicly suppress your sexualities. If you want to make spontaneous displays of affection with someone, be you straight/gay/otherwise, by all means, be my guest. However, don’t do it to purposely make people uncomfortable or to make a spectacle of yourselves. I understand the goal that you’re trying to accomplish and it’s an admirable one. All I’m saying is that I think the methods that you’re using aren’t working. Why stress our one difference when we all have so much more in common?
So many of the writers of Wespeaks written in opposition to mine and others’ articles speak of being oppressed, victimized, and generally made to feel unsafe. Y’all act as though you’re the only people who have problems in life. Well, let me break it down for you, dears. Life isn’t always fair. You do what you can and you move on. I don’t claim to know all of your backgrounds, but I’m from a remote little town in Tennessee’s area of Appalachia. We’re talking conservative/red neck/white-trash heaven here, okay? You’re not the only ones who have felt uncomfortable in expressing themselves openly. I seriously doubt that a lot of you actually comprehend the amount of racism, bigotry and prejudices that are actually out in the world. I endured for 10 years attitudes antagonistic towards myself at home and let me tell you, the change when I came here to Wesleyan was astonishing. This campus is full of amazing people who accept me for who I am and I’m grateful for that. I may be wrong, but if Wesleyan’s atmosphere is your idea of victimization and oppression, then you’ve got a lot of learning to do.
So, when the champions of queer sexual intimidation are put on the defensive by the “conservative gays” such as myself, please realize that we are not in any way backing down in the face of homophobia. We simply feel that there are more constructive ways to go about achieving our goals. And, contrary to Michael Andolina’s beliefs, we are not aiding the homophobic attitudes of some people.
And now to the matter of Chase Wilson’s Wespeak: Your article in response to Erich Klothen was totally out of line. You make so many assumptions about a person that you in all probability don’t even know. You also seem to have a weird penchant for implying that since Erich is straight and, God forbid, white, that his opinion therefore counts for nothing.
Erich exemplifies the type of open-mindedness that all of us on this campus should strive to attain. You, Chase, seem to suggest that Erich wishes to ignore the fact that homosexuality exists on this campus. Yet again, another comment pulled right out of your ass. Throughout pledging a fraternity, living and partying with Erich, I can assure you that he is one of the most accepting people I know. I feel completely at ease with him when the topic of my homosexuality comes up. We discuss his girl prospects, my guy prospects, and we have a good time. There’s nothing forced about it. I don’t feel the need to pick up some guy off the street and make out with him to get my feelings across.
So, in retrospect of this Wespeak mania on the subject of queer politics, I’m left with the sad realization that the queers at Wesleyan are just like practically everybody else on this campus. They claim to be open-minded and accepting, yet only of those views as radical as their own.
Leave a Reply