Letter to the Editor:
Bowen is a hypocrite
Published March 12, 2009
MU's fiscal situation is sobering. Yet, I refuse to be drawn into the "mutually exclusive" outlook of the author who says we can only draw a line between beliefs that ascribe to chasing money vs. ideology or the nurturing of unique viewpoints vs. affording bathrooms.
Universities allow us to safely explore individual/shared futures and translate those into careers, life-works and avocations. To some, this means only money. Others believe that understanding the inherent bias in patriarchal societies is a panacea toward a better world. We each may believe so. This does not necessarily translate into policy or budgets. Bathrooms are costly. New gender classifications on their doors will neither expand the growth-edge of gender individuality acceptance nor change the love-map to which we also each have a right.
Universities provide the ideological forum for the camps that are pitching their tents in this conflict: diversity. Policies should evolve to reflect changing paradigms of identity. Closing minds to other viewpoints is juvenile, and arguably escorted Bush/Blunt to the exits.
Accountability includes reviewing policy for the myriad permutations of self- identification into which we as society molt, even if a restroom for each is unrealistic. A brick-and-mortar response to gender identity is analogous to adding big-screen TVs at the Recreation Complex that broadcasts cacophony, is a very real canary-in-a-coal mine of peaches-and-cream coddling. A policy review involves studiousness and directions for institutional growth. But what does allowing the heap of booty call videos, vacuous game shows or sports offerings say about us, if not diversity? We could save thousands shutting them off. Yet the author says a discrimination review for sexual characteristics equates to infantile behavior? Immaturity is the outright denial of the worldwide reality of sexual individuality. Hey, let's get rid of the disabled and family restrooms while we're at it and revert to our old model of thinking...Penis or vagina?
Bottom line: To proffer that these are mutually exclusive concepts reeks of intolerance and fear. This is not what higher education is about. For the author to claim clairvoyance as to Gov. Blunt's motive is laughable. But for him to say this is why students don't deserve a vote is not funny -- it's divisive, narrow-minded thinking -- contrary to why we learn and teach.
Rich Sternadori, M. Ed.
Class of 2008
