In response to Timothy Kelly’s letter of Sept. 7, in the United States of America all people are equal in the eyes of the law. Every person, regardless of race, sex, religious affiliation, sexual orientation or any other distinguishing factor, carries the same civic responsibilities and is afforded the same legal protection.

Unfortunately, hatred and personal bias can make people treat others differently based on these factors.

This is called discrimination and it is illegal. Where it is an entire group whose rights are violated, it is necessary to enact special legislation to ensure equality.

This is not special protection, it’s specific protection enacted because there is a very real need.

To advocate that certain groups do not need more protection than others is to ignore the problem at hand. Civil rights legislation protects the civil rights of groups it specifies. Rights the majority are afforded daily.

If people with green eyes were the targets of discrimination and random public beatings, legislation should be enacted to protect them.

Homosexuals aren’t asking for special rights because of their sexual preference; they’re asking for the same protections.

These past few decades in America have been an epic tale of the struggle for equality for all people, and, if we’re lucky, maybe this will be the final chapter.

It’s sad that we live in a society where certain groups need to be singled out and specifically protected under the law, but until we start teaching our kids tolerance and respect instead of bigotry and hate, it will be necessary.

Eric Anderson

Alumnus

Eagan, Minn.