Tagging of the Giles Bench

The tagging on the Giles bench and the subsequent addition of flyers to counter this hate speech by members of the Duke LGBTQ community today caused quite a bit of interest to passersby. Most just stared, wondered what the crazy alternative gays were doing, then continued on to the Marketplace to escape from the cold. A few came over to express support. Two guys asked what the big deal was, obviously the tagging wasn't directed towards gays, but was a bit of light-hearted ribbing to the denizens of Giles. The question of whether they would feel the same way had the N-word been substituted for 'fag' was posed to them. They actually had the audacity to respond "Well it's different because n***r isn't a word used on a daily basis." "Everyone has their own opinion."

Well, they certainly are entitled to their own opinion, but that doesn't mean that it isn't bigoted, ignorant and just downright stupid.

Later on in the Marketplace two girls were overheard discussing the tagging and flyering. Again they had the view that it was ok because the tagging wasn't meant to be hostile towards gays.

Apparently it's ok to use derogatory terms referring to minorities as long as:

1. Everyone uses the word(s).

2. It wasn't even aimed at said minorities.

3. The word has supposedly taken on a different meaning.

In my opinion these viewpoints need to be destroyed, just as racist, sexist and every other type of bigoted viewpoints need to be eradicated. Only through education and standing up for ourselves will we achieve this. As the poster below me says, we have to fight against hate such as this, regardless of how small it seems, reacting in any other way legitimizes the act.

As a slight digression, something I have been pondering a lot lately is the actual tag itself. 'FaG-Spot'?

Really? Reeeally? These people go to Duke and 'FaG-Spot' is the best they could come up with? I mean, what 8th graders taunt each other with is Dostoyevsky compared to this.

Anyway. Apart from a few isolated incidents, my gay experience (or rainbow adventure as I like to call it) at Duke has been really positive. Before coming to Duke, I had decided that I was going to 'lie low,' at least for a few years or months. There was no need for people to typecast me so soon, especially not when I had four years here. Besides, Duke's in the South, people aren't going to be accepting or tolerant I figured. I am really glad to have been proven wrong.

 The first time I came to Fab Friday, I was terrified. I half expected to be devoured by the fierce boy-hungry gays and outed to the whole campus when I pushed the door to the Center open. My fears were allayed almost immediately, everyone there was incredibly friendly and welcoming, not to mention the amazing cupcakes. I've started going to the Center more and more, there truly are some awesome people who go there and I'm really glad to have gotten to know them better. I'm looking forward to furthering my involvement with the Center and the LGBTQ community at Duke, and take up all the opportunities that present themselves.

In conclusion, you all rock :)