The following is a story submitted to me by one of your fellow Hokies:
I am a homosexual male growing up in a heterosexual society. I feel uncomfortable almost everywhere I am. I stereotype everyone, not to discriminate, but because I need to. I use it as a defense mechanism to target my oppressors. Darwin's theory, survival of the fittest, is not archaic; it applies to my everyday life. I know the weakest person will die off and I refuse to be that person. I spend most of my day worrying. I fear the group of people that comes after me. The group is all around me, attacking me little by little with their words, but not physically just yet.
I live a normal life for the most part. I wake up, brush my teeth, shower, eat breakfast, go to class, and come back to my residence hall. I walk around this gorgeous Virginia Tech campus and all that people notice is me. The picture perfect scene is ruined. I am the outcast. I am the outlier you learned about in math class. I am just one of the many that are discriminated against everyday on this campus.
Have you ever looked down in class and seen the word "faggot" carved into a desk? I see it, but I also feel it. I feel that same knife cut me out, away from the group of those other Hokies around me. The distance, the difference, between you and me, increases exponentially each time I read the word on a desk in McBryde. I have seen it so many times at this point; the distance between us can no longer be measured in inches, but miles. I no longer feel a part of Tech or this Hokie family.
I am an American, despite what many may say. I am just as much of an American as you. It was the Native Americans that were discriminated against first when their land was stolen from them. Then, the wave started. The Irish, blacks, Italians, Hispanics and homosexuals lined up as the next targets of hate. What is your ethnicity? Were you here first? Unless you are Native American, you weren't. Why do today's Americans feel that their very short presence on this land entitles them to decide who has the right to enter our land of opportunity? Our land: it's our land to be shared, not to own. We have all been discriminated against, but you don't remember. You never had to deal with it. Your parents might have, maybe your grandparents, or possibly your great-grandparents endured the sacrifices so you never would have to suffer discrimination. You just remember the privileges you have each and every day.
Take a second and ponder the word homosexuality. What images or feelings are evoked? For most people, the word homosexuality conjures up images of gay sex. Now, stop and think about heterosexuality. For the word heterosexual, we think about two people in love. Did you ever realize that homosexuals are simply two people in love too? Has society affected you? If you don't think it has then why do you see such a huge difference between homosexuality and heterosexuality.
Why do you fear me? Do you fear me because I am different? I don't call you names or go out of my way to hurt you. I don't yell redneck, hick, or white trash to those of you that so proudly display your Confederate heritage. I don't judge you, the upper class, for the endless privileges your parents provide you. Your tuition paid for, your new car, and your designer clothes all in hand with no questions asked.
If you don't want to be me, then don't discriminate against me. You didn't stop. You didn't think. You never gave me a chance.
You throw the word "faggot" and "gay" around as if it's okay. As if nobody cares. The word "gay," according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, is keenly alive and exuberant. Since when did the word mean annoying and stupid? Why do you use the word to degrade me? Is your vocabulary so limited that you must hurt me with the words "gay" and "faggot"? I am not asking for a series of miracles or for you to change the world. I am simply asking you to stop and think. Really stop and ponder your actions and words. Please ask yourself the question: Who does this hurt? It hurts more than you will ever know.
- Anonymous
This is the story of just one Hokie at Tech, but one is one too many. It is up to all of us to figure out ways to make Tech more inclusive and open to people, regardless of how you define them. Do you have a similar story? Come to The Forum Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m. in Squires. One student who attends will have an opportunity to win a pair of front row tickets to the Maroon 5 concert on Nov. 10.
According to the Principles of Community, Tech firmly believes that we reject any form of hatred. Go to www.sga.vt.edu/FYV and tell us what the Principles of Community means to you in 300 words or less. One more student will be chosen to receive a pair of front row tickets to Maroon 5 for their reflection.
Your Student Government is not only committed to hearing your voice, but acting on it. Submit your story and/or tell us what the Principles of Community means to you. Together, we can make Tech the most inclusive Hokie community ever, but it starts with your voice.