After reading “Intolerance and Ignorance at ISU” by Keesia Wirt (April 8), I felt that I needed to respond because I believe that there may have been some contradictions along with some erroneous statements and assumptions.

I disagree with the statement that, “people who attended this university 30 years ago aren’t seeing progress, they are seeing the dilapidation of a college.” I don’t believe that some of the issues such as LGBTAA could have been published in a newspaper 30 years ago. Even if they had, I don’t believe that the response then would have been any better than the one you received now. At best, it would have paralleled.

You stated in the opening paragraph, “The actions and philosophies of some students have stunned me this year.” A paragraph later in the column states, “As is expected with not so popular issues, we receive a fair amount of complaints.” These statements raise two questions. 1. Were you honestly surprised to get some of the responses that you received? 2. If shocking or disgusting people isn’t a goal, then why are these issues printed knowing that a great many of the readers would find no value in them, yet would be shocked or disgusted by them? Whether people reading your column agree with the issues or not, trying to tell them that shocking or disgusting isn’t a part of the criteria in what gets printed only diminishes your credibility.

The title of your column was, “Intolerance and ignorance at ISU.” I think that a better title would have been, “Intolerance and fear at ISU.” You assume that all people who are opposed to these issues are ignorant. Could it be that they fear the loss of their own social norms and ways of life?

I, as well as many others, have noticed within the last decade a relaxation of social norms with regard to violence and the traditional family. In that same time, we have witnessed the explosion of violence and violent acts of children at younger and younger ages because of the lack of support that the traditional family and norms provided. This is only one example of possible consequences due to relaxation of societal norms. Many of those opposed to change do so out of fear of what consequences there might be. I realize that many of our social norms cause problems. Men are supposed to hold their emotions, overwork themselves, compete and win. All this at the expense of a shorter lifespan. But would an alternative way of life cause more problems? How can we know?

I don’t think that I am ignorant, and I’m not big on hate either. What I am is afraid that my children won’t be able to grow up in a society with limits. Society has to have limits, and its members need to be very careful where they place them. Although some people are ignorant, many aren’t. By lumping people together and telling them they are ignorant and responsible for the supposed dilapidation of this college, you are displaying your own intolerance and ignorance.

Justin Kennedy

Junior

Agronomy