Letters and e-mails

Article misrepresented views

An article ["Anti-gay e-mail source of fear, anger," Jan. 15, 2004] poorly represented the position of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA), Gay and Straight People for the Education of Diversity (GASPED), myself as spokesman and the entire sympathetic Santa Clara student body. The article manufactured a hostile relationship between GALA/GASPED and the school's administration. Specifically, I was quoted as saying that the administration is doing nothing and "They are just going to cover it up." Not only was my tone misrepresented (making me sound like a paranoid critic) but TSC also misconstrued my quotes; in reality, I said, "The administration is doing the best they can to fix the problem, but I question their motives." I did not claim that they were doing nothing, which they obviously are, nor did I merely say, "They are just going to cover it up."

The article did not place any importance on the true fear inspired by and educational opportunities afforded by this hate crime. Rather, the article seemed to concentrate on explaining and supporting administrative actions and giving comfort to the accused. The article stripped the importance of GALA/GASPED's fight for educating the community about diversity, and shaped the organizations as emotionally-driven irrationals. As spokesman, I attempted to demonstrate that the organizations view the "hate letter" as an opportunity for the entire community to grow and stray from ignorance. I thought I made several valid points including the assertion that simply expelling an individual filled with hate would do injustice to the cause of education. Perhaps the article should have focused on the substance and truth of GALA/GASPED's position as opposed to the appeasement of the higher-ups. With this being done, the article would not lose its objectivity in presenting the case, but rather promote understanding, acceptance and education, which were the main themes in response to such a hate crime. This response is quite different from any emotionally-driven reactions or pressures to start conflict with the administration, to which the article falsely eluded.

Joshua Crosson

GALA spokesman

Religious studies ('06)

û Editor's note: After examining the reporter's notes, The Santa Clara stands by the reporting and quote ("They're going to cover it up" [sic]) as accurate.