2008 Woodie Awards
Homophobia is not Hawkeye
Editorial
DI Editorial Board
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Opinions
For a long time, the UI has prided itself on providing a progressive, inclusive community for all. Although it has recently faced a number of shameful and disturbing sex scandals, the university nevertheless still takes a strong stance against all types of harassment. When a gay-bashing remark was discovered in a men's North Hall restroom, the university reflected its inclusive, honorable stance by confronting the issue head on. Iowa City is a gay-, lesbian-, bisexual-, transgender-friendly haven that will not tolerate any type of bigotry.
It would have been easy for the university to turn a blind eye on the scrawled hate speech. After all, there are indeed many crude remarks and images to be found in public restrooms: swastikas, details about sexual encounters with someone's mother, the occasional phone number "for a good time." However, when the message that called UI teaching assistant Beth Skinner a derogatory name was found, the university decided to take a stand.
That this particular remark was targeted at a respectable member of the UI community gives the university a unique opportunity to educate others about the effects of gay-bashing. This specific instance has far greater scope and magnitude. The DI reported on Wednesday that in response to the issue, the School of Social Work plans to review and revamp its "Safe Zone" program, which takes the responsibility of educating faculty on how to handle issues of sexual harassment. It is of utmost importance for the UI to handle these offenses with vital sensitivity and also to continue providing safe environments for all types of people. This notion has become a cornerstone of the university's image.
Both the university and Skinner are worthy of the highest praise for bringing this issue to the forefront instead of keeping it hush-hush. Their stances have ensured that hateful behavior will not be met with permissiveness and insensitivity. There must always be individuals who are unafraid of confronting ugliness, who are unafraid of spinning negatives into positives. Skinner intends to use this experience to educate others. She will show that it is possible to rise above hate with a positive attitude and personal pride. She will show that it is possible to obliterate hate through education and forward-thinking. In the face of such heinous hate-mongering, there are many who are not so noble.
In all likelihood, the UI police will never identify the culprit responsible for the message, but that doesn't mean he or she will not know justice. This person will likely spend the rest of her or his time here in a shadow of shame, which is where he or she belongs. Freedom and justice will be reflected in the message of Skinner and the university: The progressive, inclusive community here welcomes all walks of life. Thus, in all likelihood, the culprit will be left behind, because the alienating actions signal that that person is unwilling and unworthy to positively participate in the inclusion of this community.
It would have been easy for the university to turn a blind eye on the scrawled hate speech. After all, there are indeed many crude remarks and images to be found in public restrooms: swastikas, details about sexual encounters with someone's mother, the occasional phone number "for a good time." However, when the message that called UI teaching assistant Beth Skinner a derogatory name was found, the university decided to take a stand.
That this particular remark was targeted at a respectable member of the UI community gives the university a unique opportunity to educate others about the effects of gay-bashing. This specific instance has far greater scope and magnitude. The DI reported on Wednesday that in response to the issue, the School of Social Work plans to review and revamp its "Safe Zone" program, which takes the responsibility of educating faculty on how to handle issues of sexual harassment. It is of utmost importance for the UI to handle these offenses with vital sensitivity and also to continue providing safe environments for all types of people. This notion has become a cornerstone of the university's image.
Both the university and Skinner are worthy of the highest praise for bringing this issue to the forefront instead of keeping it hush-hush. Their stances have ensured that hateful behavior will not be met with permissiveness and insensitivity. There must always be individuals who are unafraid of confronting ugliness, who are unafraid of spinning negatives into positives. Skinner intends to use this experience to educate others. She will show that it is possible to rise above hate with a positive attitude and personal pride. She will show that it is possible to obliterate hate through education and forward-thinking. In the face of such heinous hate-mongering, there are many who are not so noble.
In all likelihood, the UI police will never identify the culprit responsible for the message, but that doesn't mean he or she will not know justice. This person will likely spend the rest of her or his time here in a shadow of shame, which is where he or she belongs. Freedom and justice will be reflected in the message of Skinner and the university: The progressive, inclusive community here welcomes all walks of life. Thus, in all likelihood, the culprit will be left behind, because the alienating actions signal that that person is unwilling and unworthy to positively participate in the inclusion of this community.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Gomer LovesButt
posted 10/03/08 @ 11:27 AM CST
"Shadow of Shame"??...LMAO. Haven't heard such condemnation since a few bad apples were discovered with alcohol in Animal House.
GaussianDispersion
posted 10/04/08 @ 2:32 PM CST
"It is of utmost importance for the UI to handle these offenses with vital sensitivity and also to continue providing safe environments for all types of people. (Continued…)
Post a Comment