Letter to the Editor:
Bowen lacks maturity to be columnist
Published March 12, 2009
Marcus Bowen's column "Student leaders lack maturity to be curators" points to the immaturity of our student government for considering an additional clause of gender identity and expression for MU's non-discriminatory policy as the reason for denying a vote to the student curator. He finds the idea of this addition to be "immature and ridiculous."
Well, I find Bowen's views immature and ridiculous. If adding a clause to prevent discrimination -- for any reason -- has become radical or ridiculous, then MU has sunk into the depths of bigotry and prejudice. Isn't this the 21st century? Didn't we just elect our first African-American president? Fifty years ago columnists were ranting the same lines about the "radical" laws protecting African Americans from discrimination.
Bowen should only complain of too many clauses from the standpoint that it's about time we add a clause that states everyone, regardless of anything, should be protected from any type of discrimination. Bowen falters when he equates "learning how to be a successful, productive, hard-working member of society" and "learning how to make money." Being a successful, productive and hard-working member of society is about growing, learning and participating in an environment that harbors all lifestyles -- one that MU hopes to create by enacting non-discrimination policies.
Alex Jaros,
sophomore