Letter to the Editor: A step toward community

We welcome the opportunity that Nathan Carleton has provided to initiate discourse and action on the "Gay? Fine By Me." movement and the broader issue of social justice on and off the Duke campus.

 However, we find Carleton's column lacking as it contains both journalistic inaccuracies and inflammatory rhetoric that detract from his argument. Much of his argument is circular, invoking stances that could be used just as easily by those individuals he criticizes. While we cannot speak to the intent of the tee-shirt campaign, we will here respond to and ask other members of the Duke community to recognize the dismissive tone of the article.

 We would like to point out that homophobia is similar to several other discriminatory practices that are not tolerated on this campus. Each individual is entitled to his or her own opinions, but if those opinions are acted upon in such a way that denies another individual the equal opportunity to thrive as a student, scholar, athlete or person, they can easily become discriminatory and harmful.

 To be "fine by," or simply to be does not mean that one is "flaunting" or "bullying" another into accepting a different positition or person, whether it involves ethnicity, race, gender, religion or another community.

 Using such loaded language is in itself part of the history of violence directed at members of minorities and others of difference. Silent glares and snickers can injure just as much as a glass bottle. We call upon the Duke community to actively aspire in the coming year to understand both what makes us all different and how these differences can be respectfully expressed.

 Lara Anthony, Trinity '04
Adam Hall,Pratt '05
Nathanael Holley,Trinity '04
and 25 other members of the Duke community