LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Protesting Hostile Columns

To the Editor: I know that you, the editors, want to guarantee a space for the open exchange of ideas on our campus -- you attest to your commitment to openness through ads like "The DP -- Where there is no gag rule," which you published the same day that Klein's column appeared. I, too, believe in the open exchange of ideas, but I question whether an open exchange means that every opinion, no matter how hostile to individuals and groups on campus, must be published in the DP. Openness in discussion depends on people's willingness to recognize each other's common humanity and to treat each other with respect. Columns like Teillon's and Klein's work against openness by withholding the very respect that encourages communication. You, the editors, could raise the level of discourse on our campus by insisting that the basic criterion of respect be met on your pages. The columns you printed by Mr. Teillon and Mr. Klein exemplify precisely what does not constitute openness. Klein's column, "Of Beads and Breasts," is an extended objectification of women, as he imagines how wonderful his life would be if Penn women would only follow their supposed economic and biological destinies and "show [him] their tits." To reduce, as Klein does, the value of the thousands of women who work and study on this campus to their "young, nude bodies" is a hostile attack on what they are trying to achieve at Penn, and it is deeply offensive to anyone who values respect for all the members of our community. Klein's own words speak against him more eloquently than I could. To the editors of the DP, however, I would ask why you have to pitch your discussion of campus issues to the lowest common denominator? I would urge you to think about your responsibility to the Penn community the next time one of your columnists submits such puerile trash for publication. The question of editorial responsibility seems even more crucial with regard to a column like Marc Teillon's "B-GLAD It's Only Two Weeks" (DP 3/15/95). This column is basically hate speech directed against the members of Penn's lesbian, gay and bisexual communities. I acknowledge that Teillon, like Klein, has a right to his opinions; I only question why the DP would publish his column, given that his hatred, ignorance and fear are the very sentiments used by homophobes across this country to justify social and economic discrimination, psychic intimidation and violence against lesbians and gays. Why would you, the editors, publish a piece that directs hatred and intolerance at members of your own community? I was heartened that so many letters appeared in the DP on Friday deploring Teillon's column. At the same time, it is depressing that so many writers had to expend so much energy to try and restore basic dignity and respect (not to mention factuality) to your editorial page. In addition to protesting Teillon, the letters suggest that your community is asking you, the editors, to raise the level of discourse in your paper. For better or worse, your columns shape discussion on our campus. Please be responsible in the way you permit them to be used. Do not allow fearful and angry young men to spew hatred and contempt as legitimate modes of discussion at Penn. You are award-winning editors. I know you can do better in the future than you did last week. Peter Parolin English graduate student