I read “In my view: Catt’s words taken out of context” with great interest. Although I do support the September 29th Movement, I like to hear all sides of an issue. Unfortunately, I learned nothing from the authors, and, by the time I was finished, I was so angry that I felt I had to publicly comment.

After explaining the obstacles Catt overcame to graduate from ISU, and her subsequent donations to this university, the authors ask, “A woman who, against many obstacles, worked her way through school and had given back that which she took is a classist?”

I don’t believe anyone disputes her achievements, but her perseverance in the face of personal opposition does not excuse her political tactics. If anything, it should have made her more eager to support those who faced hardships, instead of using them as a stepping stone to political power.

The authors assert that “It is utterly absurd for us to sit here in all the freedoms we never had to earn and call a woman like Carrie Chapman Catt a racist.”

If Catt did not practice racism, she certainly perpetuated it by being a hypocrite. Perhaps the authors never had to earn their freedom. What about the thousands of students on our campus alone who were not fortunate enough to inherit freedom, but instead inherited hostility and discrimination?

For many, freedom is not the birthright that it ought to be, but is a constant struggle. “It is absurd … ” indeed — absurd to assume that we are all born with freedom, and the privilege to enjoy it; to deny the suffering of others because you yourself have never felt the pain of racism, classism or xenophobia is not only absurd, but ignorant.

One of the most ridiculous phrases in the whole piece was this: “In order to convince the South to ratify the amendment, she had to use strategy and, in the end, she was successful.” So, the end justifies the means? That’s a shame. I’d like to think that we’ve evolved beyond Machiavelli.

“She had to say this in their words, in a way that, although unacceptable today, was acceptable in 1917.” Also, “Catt’s life also is being interpreted and criticized outside the context of the times in which she lived …” It’s certainly convenient to think that. Unfortunately, the authors are mistaken. Wrong is wrong and has always been wrong. Just as it is intolerable to excuse slavery or World War II camps because they were acceptable in the context of their culture, so it is equally reprehensible to excuse Catt’s political racism, classism and xenophobia.

There were abolitionists in the South, sane people in the madness and paranoia of WWII, and there were individuals who fought hatred and discrimination in Catt’s time. Her actions are inexcusable in any context.

“We are proud to carry on the legacy left by this heroine, and are committed to her legacy forever.”

Fine. Cloister yourselves away from the family of humankind. Ignore the suffering of your brothers and sisters because you are not willing to be bothered, because it is not politically expedient, because it’s not comfortable. Because you don’t care.

That is the legacy you will “be proud” to carry on.

LaShawna Bowe

Sophomore

Music