Letter
to the Editor - Noose not necessarily slave
related, but free speech
For my sake, I wish my name to remain anonymous.
I am a student here at Cal State Long Beach
and caught wind of the letter to the editor
in Thursday. I must say that I was in complete
disbelief that the African Student Union
would demand an apology from the Graphic
Design Junior Show.
I completely disagree with the group’s accusations
of what the advertisements suggested. The
noose dates back long before black slavery
plagued our country. The noose was being
used in the 1300s, for example, to hang
outlaws of the same race. I therefore
feel that the organization’s description
of what the noose symbolizes is completely
biased and closed minded, as it has played
a much bigger role in our history than that
of being used simply for lynchings.
Secondly, I was outraged at the comment
proclaiming that “This was a culturally
insensitive act of racism ...” It was a
piece of art, is what it was. Even if it
were alluding to civil unjustice, so what?
Whatever happened to freedom of speech?
I’m not saying that if it were regarding
slavery that I agree with it, I’m simply
saying that if that’s the way that this
person feels, so be it.
Freedom of Speech is the one thing that
we as Americans truly have to embrace for
ourselves. Therefore, whether expressed
through art, speech or whatever means, it
is an opinion and has the right to be heard.
I also feel that because it is art, it was
wrongly interpreted. How does the
African Student Union know if the art show
was having an exhibit against racism?
Did they check into it or simply jump to
a conclusion? To assume makes an ASS out
of U and ME. I don’t think the student
union went about investigating the purpose
behind these posters or the art show whatsoever
and have wrongly accused and judged the
art department. They themselves, have
therefore, made this a “culturally insensitive
act of racism” by putting that particular
denotation to the pictures.
I really hope that the art department doesn’t
apologize for expressing itself freely.
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