I want to say right now that this is not meant in anyway to offend or directly attack any one person or group of persons. This is just an open letter meant to provide the community with something I get the feeling the majority are lacking — a different perspective of the world around them. I in no way intend to claim that everyone in Ames is immature or that I am innocent myself, so please keep reading … and think about what I’m trying to get across, not about how hypocritical or stuck-up I sound.

I’ve been sitting back and watching the way the ISU community handles the ideas and events of the late 20th century, and I just really don’t understand where some people come from. I know it’s probably just that: I don’t understand where everyone comes from, but I don’t think the majority of the people who keep raising a stink about these issues understand where anyone else comes from either! I’d also like to say that I do understand that some of the issues being argued are very important, in which case I stress the handling of the issue, not necessarily the issue itself.

I consider myself a very open-minded person. I have friends of all races/colors/ethnicities/backgrounds/(whatever the PC terms are now). I’ve worked with and been good friends with homosexual and bisexual persons (of both genders). I come from the Twin Cities area in Minnesota, so I’ve seen poverty and hardships firsthand. I have friends from broken homes and from all walks of life. Anyway, my point is, I feel I have enough credibility to say that I think people just need to grow up!

For example, why is a picture of two men kissing such a shocking thing? Grow up — this is the real world. There are people in the world who are attracted to people of the same gender. Deal. If you can’t handle it, go back into that safe little world you’ve created!

Or Catt Hall. I’ve read some of Carrie Chapmann Catt’s speeches, and I understand why the name is offensive, but I can’t say that changing the name is the right thing to do, either. Regardless, I think I speak for all students, when I tell EVERYBODY involved (ISU Admin., 9/29, etc.) to grow up and settle this soon. We are tired of reading about how nothing is accomplished every single day!

My last example is everyone’s favorite: dry Veishea ’98! I know that there are plenty of people (like myself) who really don’t care so much that Veishea is dry, but I also know too many people who are in fits about dry Veishea, even though they’re MINORS! I can understand if a person of age is upset, but why do all the Quick Es complaining about it come from freshmen? Again I say, “Grow up!” I’ll be the first to admit Ames is not exactly a hotbed of excitement on a given weekend, and drinking seems the only alternative, but on the one weekend all school year where Ames comes alive, and there are activities and events, why be so upset that you can’t drink. THERE ARE OTHER THINGS TO DO!

I’d like to thank you for reading this, and I’d like to reiterate that I don’t mean to pick on any individuals. I just chose well-known topics as examples to illustrate my point. They are not the only topics of debate where I see problems.

There is more to life than what you know, what you grew up with, how you think about or see the world. Every time I walk that long walk from Towers, I wonder what each person I pass is thinking or what they think about what they read in the Daily that day, not if he/she fits into some mold made by stereotypes. You see, I see individuals: with homes, mothers, fathers, a favorite music group or movie. I see somebody I’d hold the door for if they were walking behind me into a building. I don’t see their social status, skin color or sexual preference. I just see another person on the street.

I give everyone the same options, opportunities and treatment; however, unlike most, I left any useless whining, stereotypes or biases in kindergarten. I think all of you should take a second to see if you have done the same.

J. D. Woods

Sophomore

Computer engineering