Violence contradicts “˜No on 8′ message
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that protesting in front of churches is not the best answer for Proposition 8 opponents.
It’s an odd ““ and probably unpopular ““ claim, considering this is exactly what they’ve done, but when you look at what Proposition 8 opponents are trying to accomplish, their actions are actually hurting their cause (“Activists protest at temple,” Nov. 7). Opponents of Proposition 8 are trying to get people to see that gay marriage is not a threat to traditional marriage and that we can live in a society where everyone can be accepted no matter their lifestyle.
It is a message of peace and understanding that they are trying to spread, but they don’t seem to follow it themselves.
I watched on the news as opponents of Proposition 8 verbally and physically attacked people just because they were Mormon. People just trying to go to their place of worship had chants like “You’re wrong,” “You are what’s wrong with America,” and “I hate you,” shouted point-blank in their faces, followed by a knuckle sandwich in some cases. These protesters seem to be reacting to what they feel is close-minded hatred by dishing out some of their own. They didn’t even ask if the people they were assaulting voted “yes” on Proposition 8 but chose to be nasty to them because they attend an institution that supported it. This is completely contradictory to the message they are trying to send and only hurts the sympathy some religious people might have for them.
These protesters have to realize how frightening these actions are for the religious people in this state. Many religious people supported Proposition 8 because they were afraid for their religious freedom. They were afraid that they would be forced to accept something that their religious views didn’t recognize ““ that the day was coming when it would be a hate crime to believe that a homosexual marriage wasn’t legitimate. They voted to ban gay marriage ““ twice ““ out of fear, and these protests aren’t doing anything to allay those fears. Instead, these protests only deepen the message that religious people feared.
The protesters need to sit down and think about what they are trying to accomplish and come up with a much more peaceful way of doing it. Otherwise they will only broaden the gap instead of bridging it.
Kurtis Hanlon
Fourth-year, Japanese
Chivalry is still here, it’s just evolved
Chivalry is alive, but barely (“Chivalry may be long dead, but don’t let the date be next,” Nov. 13). Romanticized knights no longer exist; however, their spirit has evolved to fit in with the times. I’ve never thought of it as something that takes away women’s freedom, but rather, a way of carrying oneself.
The people who observe a code of conduct aren’t your stereotypical “nice guy/girl.” They observe the little things like taking off their hat indoors, watching their mouth around people, or holding the door for someone. Basically, courtesy and respect toward others.
Ms. Forde and all women with similar nightmarish encounters, I apologize for your plight. Just know that gentlemen still exist.
If the traditional date is on its way out, then all of us have to keep it alive if only to find Mr. or Ms. Right. Old-fashioned? Not if we make it a habit.
Chris Nguyen
Third-year, political science
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