the (unedited) letter to the editor

[fuzzybluemonkeys]

I am really sick and tired of this poor little white boy crap. Women and minorities have been oppressed for centuries, but only now that you're finally getting a taste of your own medicine do you actually think it's wrong? You were born, and by some biological fluke of chromosomes ended up with an X and a Y. Through nothing you said or did to merit an advantage in life, you were handed one just by virtue of your parents' ethnicity. And you're complaining because there's Affirmative Action for people who have been abused and oppressed for centuries? No one's asking for the right to own you. No one's is expecting to be able to beat you and rape you without any consequences. You just have a head start in the race, and it would be nice if maybe everyone could start at the same time. And what about all of the white male students who did make it in? Affirmative Action doesn't seem to have hurt them much. And honestly? I resent the implication that the only reason I'm here is because I'm a woman. I think my GPA, both in high school and here at the U of R says otherwise. I didn't pay less than you did. In fact I probably paid more for defying stereotypes and persevering despite being a female in a world dominated by men. The president of this country is a white male who only got into college because his father was an alumnus. Why aren't you complaining about that sort of discriminatory behavior? The majority of the people who make the laws and run the country? Also white males. You don't have to worry about them trying to take away your right to have control over your own body and get an abortion. And if you're a heterosexual white man you don't have to worry that they'll decide you shouldn't be allowed to get married. So, those of you with a big chip on your shoulder because being a white male has made your life so incredibly difficult? Suck. It. Up.
I have the right to say everything in the above paragraph. Whether my opinion is informed or uninformed is irrelevant. Whether you agree with me or disagree with me is irrelevant. Whether you think I could have found a less offensive way to get my point across or feel I wasn't offensive enough is irrelevant. The fact remains that I have a right to say what I just said. And you have a right to disagree with me. That's right. After all that ranting, all the anger and insulting comments, I, a hardcore liberal, pro-choice, anti-Republican, female atheist, am coming out in support of the Affirmative Action bake sale. I disagree with it. Wholeheartedly and vehemently. But throughout this controversy a quote has kept popping into my mind. And interestingly enough, though this quote is often attributed to a white male [Voltaire] from a society dominated by white males, it was actually written by a woman who was writing about Voltaire: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." --Evelyn Beatrice Hall, The Friends of Voltaire (1906).

The above opinion is mine and may or may not be based on factual information. Disagreement is welcome and encouraged. Please keep in mind, however, that I make no promises about the politeness of my replies to such disagreements.

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[tobimonkee.livejournal.com]

President Andrew Shepherd: You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil who is standing center stage advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours.
THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT
thought this quote went with your thing