This is in response to Marc S. Smith's letter "Chalking is Vandalism, Not Free Speech" in the Oct. 10 issue of The Spectrum. First off, I want to say that he raises a good point in saying that our tuition should not go towards paying people to clean up chalk. But I am not entirely positive that is where our tuition dollars go, so you should do some research before making such assumptions.
Sadly Marc, that was the only good point I could see in your complaint. Setting the tone by personally attacking Corey Shoock and his writing ability, and then starting in on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance - quite the transition, I might add - had just the right amount of ignorance, low blows and homophobia to hint at why you wrote the letter in the first place. Please allow me to ask you some questions.
You claim you do not want to pay for these extra cleaning services. Fair enough, but would you fine the person who vomits outside the Student Union and has to have their mess cleaned up in a similar fashion? Talk about adding insult to injury.
Also, vandalism you say? Vandalism is an act of destruction of private or public property. If chalk were a tool for destruction, I do not believe children would be allowed to play with it. Finally, would you have sent the same type of letter if the Student Association had chalked the sidewalks - which were clean by 11 a.m., thanks to hosing, not "scrubbing" as you incorrectly stated - about an upcoming football game? It is easy to say yes so that you can sound justified, but I would be curious to see if it would hold true. I'd love to believe that you do not just have a problem with the LGBTA and overall queer community, because unfortunately this disliking of the community seems to be the general societal trend.
And now I would like to focus on your concluding paragraph. Aside from your misuse of "vandalism," which should have been learned back in junior high (at the very latest), your bone of contention with not wanting to read these "bumper sticker" worthy slogans on your way to class is superb - please note the heavy sarcasm. I understand dealing with what is different is an uncomfortable space.
And here is where I commend the LGBTA for its attempt at making what is normally silenced, be seen and heard. How is this discomfort to diminish if we do not face it, accept it and embrace our differences? It is amazing at how such a large population can remain invisible. For example, Buffalo has a huge queer population but few people know about it because there are people like you who will try to bring it down at every turn. Well done, Marc, but bear in mind that we will not remain silent forever.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
