Anti-Islamic rhetoric unacceptable

I was shocked to read about evangelist Kamil Solomon's hateful anti-Islam presentation at Enloe High School ("Local High School Class Hears Anti-Islam Lecture," Feb. 27). Imagine my disgust when my eyes shifted just a few centimeters, to a full-page ad using anti-Muslim rhetoric to sensationalize a documentary screening about Islamic radicals.

Tuesday's publication of this ad was one of many publicity stunts pulled this past week by the so-called "Terrorism Awareness Project." While some of us were subject to a series of unwelcome e-mails, all of us had to digest advertisements with headings as inflammatory as "THEY WANT US DEAD"-and yes, in all caps.

Using empty pronouns to refer to an entire population reduces their humanity, makes it acceptable to pile on blanket statements and perpetuates an environment of hostility, racism and misunderstanding.

Solomon's lecture and the TAP's actions seem no different in their motivation and justification. What made the latter more deplorable to me was the fact that it took place on campus, without one word of protest from the student body.

Jane Zhu

Trinity '07