Tolerance, anyone?

Being in a school of higher education, one would suspect that certain groups would show tolerance because of their proclaimed open-mindedness. Well I had an experience that should be shared. As most individuals know, ASBSU proposed legislation about having a week celebrating GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender, and Queer) achievements. So being a member of the student body I felt I had a right to ask the senators not to pass this bill because of the precedents it would set, and I questioned why the student body would give special recognition because of ones sexual preference, and I posted my opinion on arbiteronline.com. Well surprisingly let me tell you what happened. After I posted my opinion they started calling me homophobic, ignorant, stupid, idiot, uneducated, and unenlightened. I was told I oppress people, called a bigot, sexist, racist, and told I harbor blatant hatred. I was then told I am not secure in my beliefs, full of fear, an ultracrepidarian, in need of tutoring in remedial social studies and humanities, and that I should examine my own sexuality because I might be suppressing my homosexuality- well, you get the point. Amazing, how is it that because I proposed that a bill not be passed I get verbally attacked for disagreeing with their beliefs. I invite you all to read the discussion I am speaking of and notice, not once did I insult the homosexual, or their beliefs, but I was still verbally attacked by their entourage. Someone please show me how this is tolerance? Why it that they say everyone is to have tolerance for others, but the second someone stands up for what they believe, and their perspective is different than these “self proclaimed minorities” they get attacked for it? How is it that they say they don’t want people to stereotype them a certain way, but in the midst of the debate, not once did I mention religion or God, but they automatically stereotyped that I didn’t want that bill passed for religious reasoning. Whether my logic appeared religiously based or not, I never used that as a focus for asking them not to pass this bill.

Why also do they feel they have a right to advance their agenda, no matter what the cost, claiming that they are unequal and oppressed by society, but the second someone else stand up to advance their agenda which may be in opposition to the homosexual agenda, they are considered bigots?

Where is the tolerance, where is the open mindedness by these proclaimed intellectual giants?Why is it that it would appear my beliefs are being oppressed?

Christoper Badejo is a political science major at Boise State University

Christopher Badejo
Guest Opinion

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