This letter is to address the column “Mind of a Freshman,” and Julia Wierzbicki’s latest addition “The problem with ‘acceptance’ on campus.”
“We declare our right on this earth…to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary.” —Malcolm X
I have things to say. Lots of things to say. But first I would like to start out by saying this is not an attack or comes from a place of disrespect. It comes from a place of genuine care for our underrepresented community members, and a fire to educate the rest of our campus.
I think what pained me most about this article is not its contents, but the idea that this was written, read, proofread, and yet no one digested how harmful this article is. To proudly proclaim that “Life is full of exclusions and although that’s not something we can (or even should) fix” speaks to my experience here as a Black, Queer student. It speaks to how I have had to lift myself out of the pitfalls society has placed before me while the majority watches with closed hands and “respect.” It’s hard for me to see you write off acceptance as unnecessary and exclusions as universal when there are people out there that devalue my existence.
You argue that we’re getting exposed to conflicting ideas on campus, but that is an overgeneralization and it also ignores the fact that some sides of these ideas are very harmful. Did you know that all the religious organizations here meet once a month in a peaceful roundtable to discuss their experiences (shoutout to Mohkum Singh Sethi)? Did you know that they’re all fighting for the common goal of a prayer space? The pro-life, pro-choice debate; are those conflicting ideas, or are one of those actually harmful to bodily autonomy and the other allotting for freedom of choice (yes you can be pro-life without making everyone else be!)? Should people really be forcing others to choose body positivity or transformation, or should we all just mind our business and let people do what makes them empowered?
You argue that “ice-cream nights” and “gender-specific events” exclude people. First, I want to make it clear that pumpkin-spice latte and lactose intolerance “stigmas” do not hold the same weight an identity does. My identity results in road blocks and experiences that change the direction of my life. I would also like to say that specific-identity events are not made with the intention of exclusion, they’re made with the intention of uplifting. An event centered around celebrating the spectrum of sexualities does not violate your existence. The idea that this event does not deserve acceptance violates mine.
You argue that these “conflicts” contribute to an enriching college atmosphere. Newman Catholic and College Republicans’ rampage and infringement on reproductive rights do not promote an enriching atmosphere. Unacceptance on this campus does not either, and neither does this article. It makes life a lot harder for you and me to live on campus when I feel like I can’t exist freely, only to a degree of “respect.”
Respect is an easy way to absolve the need to support your peers. Even the word “acceptance” is only the first step in creating an inclusive campus. Everyone has a stake in creating the environment here, and though I don’t mean everyone here should be a social justice advocate, I do mean that situations like this can be avoided simply by speaking to those around you. And actively trying to unlearn your internalized biases. And perhaps even making a trip to the Diversity Education office. That’s something I think all of us can work towards.
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