Mississippi College's Collegian articles on the Equality Ride visit

[MCstudent]

Thought y'all might be interested in the articles published in the school newspaper this issue- the first issue to come out since the Equality Ride visit October 20th.

http://news.mc.edu/~collegian/

Click the news tab (its a .pdf file), page 12. I wrote the "Why I am an Ally" article

[kara speltz]

Excellent article. Thanks again for your courageous stand.

Kara

[BrianB]

Very good article! I guess they felt compelled to put an opposing article on the opposite page. That kind of sucked. I'm glad you had the courage to write your article and they had the courage to publish it.

--off topic-- I enjoyed the article about the young woman with spina bifida attending college there. I could relate to both having spina bifida and being a college student.

[BenL]

Thanks for writing a courageous article stating why you're an ally. You have helped advance the cause simply by releasing the topic from the deep closet it is in at your college.

I grew up in an age when the kinds of insults you quoted were commonplace. They hurt then, and they still hurt years later. You see, it's the hurt that all this does that is so debilitating. If students can get to the point where they don't have to hurt someone else to prove that they aren't gay themselves, schools like yours will have made great strides toward showing all God's children the respect they deserve.

It seems to me that Jesus was always reaching out to people at the margins of the society he lived in. One author I read recently said that when Jesus called someone into healing from sin or from physical ailment, his first concern was to restore them to right relationship with their community and with their heavenly Father. Who are we to fight such an example? If we trust in God's power to heal broken lives -- and I don't think being gay means one's life is broken, but many Christians do -- who are we to stand in the way in false judgment? Ooops, I lapsed into sermon mode. Sorry.

[BruceChris]

And it really is true, that our gender identity and sexual orientation are part of us before we are born, and God must have intended it that way.

Still, you did get my hopes up when I read this:

"Butch Ard named Women’s Cross Country Coach of year"

Turns out that Butch is a guy. I guess you're not quite THAT rad.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[Petrese]

Glad to see your support, that is a brave move. I commend you. I noticed that your school uses Indian mascots (Choktaws) in the schools sports. I realize this is a whole other issue here but that could be something else for the students there to consider in bringing a more racially sensitive atmosphere to your school as most American Indian Nations see that as offensive for schools / sports teams to do that.

[CaptainSnoopy]

Originally Posted by BrianB

Very good article! I guess they felt compelled to put an opposing article on the opposite page. That kind of sucked.

I actually kinda like the fact they did that. I wish more op ed had two sides of the coin represented. I, do, however, give MCstudent props for the braver position and better command of the written word than her counterpart.

[MCstudent]

Thanks for the responses! I'm glad you enjoyed the article. You're right about the fact that they felt compelled to write an opposing article- the editor said that they couldn't print mine without an opposing opinion, however, the 'opposition' wasn't completely anti-gay either.... I'm no completely sure he knew what he was talking about. It's not as bad as it could have been. I've been stopped on campus numerous times since the article came out in print and people have said that they liked it. I love to write, but don't do it very often, unless I really feel compelled to, as I did in this case. People wondered about my involvement and my position, but instead of asking me my opinions themselves were talking- which is fine, I knew they would.. but I wanted to explain myself, and let people know that we need to step up to the plate and speak out.

And yes, BruceChris, my name is MarySue I haven't posted my name on the forum before because I wanted to keep things quiet around campus- but seems I've stepped out of that mold now! I've become a tad bit vocal. Walking onto campus with Equality Riders Cait and Alex kinda ruined any chance I had in staying out of the administration's eye, haha.


Petrese- As for our mascot being the Choctaw.. We have a close relationship with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. The 2008 Choctaw Indian Princess is actually a student here. They've allowed us to keep our mascot, and we take heed to respect them. We don't say things that could be derogatory like 'go chocs'- as they did in the past... anywho... yeah. just wanted to clear that up a bit

[CaptainSnoopy]

I used to have your need for anonymity. Last year I was teaching computers at a Bible College and some of the stuff I yap about...um...yeah.

Seriously, you laid out your case well, you gave examples, and you were clear and consistent. Your counterpart tended to float about.

Question: staff reactions? Good or bad or indifferent?

[MCstudent]

I haven't had any 'negative' reactions from staff... I talked to many professors before Soulforce's visit, and most of them felt that the Equality Riders coming wasn't a bad thing, and that we should welcome an opportunity to see/hear different views outside the "Bubble" as MC is commonly referred to. They, however, said not to go around telling others they felt that way, because they wouldn't want the wrong person to hear, hah (I'm assuming they meant the administration....) I had a prof come up to me the day after the campus visit- a Christian Studies professor, no less!- and he expressed agreement with the fact that attitudes need to change, etc. I've only talked to one professor in particular about the article I wrote, and he liked it, so thats cool... There are professors in support, but can't be outwardly supportive without losing their jobs. Its just a matter of striking up conversations and trying to get others views on things, finding out who is 'safe'.. I know of one professor in particular who is an Ally, and would say so if asked, but doesn't broadcast it around campus. He's become a good resource, someone good to talk to and get advice from.

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by MCstudent

There are professors in support, but can't be outwardly supportive without losing their jobs. .

Money talks. Adn keeping one's job tends to shut people up.

I saw the same thing when I was in school- Evangel College- in the 80's. If you spoke out, or your view became known, you could- and did- lose your job or not reach tenure.

Administrations at Christian Collges seem to be the last in line to embrace change. The students and faculty are way ahead.

[MCstudent]

Maybe I should rephrase that....

there are professors in support, but I don't know for a fact that they'd lose their jobs if they were outwardly supportive.. those that expressed views similar to mine did ask me not to mention their names in anything though.

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by MCstudent

Maybe I should rephrase that....

there are professors in support, but I don't know for a fact that they'd lose their jobs if they were outwardly supportive.. those that expressed views similar to mine did ask me not to mention their names in anything though.

Then I'll rephrase my comment into a question.

Why do you think these professors asked you not to mention their names?

Fear of reprisal perhaps?

[MCstudent]

Perhaps.

Seeing as I'm no longer anonymous on here, I don't want to be accused of mis-stating facts. Thats the only reason I rephrased

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by MCstudent

Perhaps.

Seeing as I'm no long anonymous on here, I don't want to be accused of mis-stating facts. Thats the only reason I rephrased

I wouldn't worry too much about this or second guess yourself. And if I may be premitted to comment about this...

There is a great difference between thinking before you say something and editing out what you really want to say out of fear.

I don't see you doing the latter.

You have courage, spunk and really good intentions. Nothing wrong with telling it like you see it!

[CaptainSnoopy]

All right, I will say it.

This is from someone who has taught at a Christian Bible College and has friends that teach at two others in the Chicago Area. Know that we are the min Bible belt here. We got Wheaton, Trinity, Christian Life, Triton, and of course...Moody.

I remember sitting in a staff meeting watching the librarian give us a proposal for a more current wording of academic freedoms. Something written to reflect this decade. They kinda stared at him like he just grew a third eye.

Now in my case I was not so much terminated as they just did not have my classes on the catalogue anymore and after I left they added them again. Yeah....um...anywho.

Look, you are dealing with an old boys club in Christian Colleges that tend to have a LOT of nepotism. If you color outside the lines, you are out. You begin to treasure the relationships you have with the kids and the opportunities to inspire. But you have far less job security in a Christian college than you have in a secular university.

[Petrese]

Something I have said before and I know that is obvious to many, employers can find all kinds of creative ways to discriminate and get rid of someone. The overall turnover of that establishment or old boys club may ultimately be the only way change ever does come to some institutions. That or a great loss of income. Money, or lack of it to keep business going sometimes is the biggest motivator. Now if the majority of the stuent body of a particular university dissapeared due to the radical views of the administration how long would that administration maintain their original position?

[CaptainSnoopy]

In the case of the school I taught at...they are dying and have less than a quarter of the students they had 15 years ago...but they are holding firm that the social and spiritual plateau they hit in 1955 was the way and if they hold fast...then they will win. And if they don't...well, I am sure it was because of the hidden sin in someone's heart.

I am grateful to the work of Soulforce for the ride and the challenge and glad to hear when a school welcomes them. I am proud and feel good about our future when young people like MCstudent writes words that take courage. The present may not be what it should be, but the future has a LOT of hope. Let's pray the future is sooner rather than later.

I don't wanna be gumming it in an old folks home and still be having this conversation about injustice.

[pnggrad79]

Originally Posted by BrianB

Very good article! I guess they felt compelled to put an opposing article on the opposite page. That kind of sucked. I'm glad you had the courage to write your article and they had the courage to publish it.

--off topic-- I enjoyed the article about the young woman with spina bifida attending college there. I could relate to both having spina bifida and being a college student.

Brian,
I had two students with mild forms of spina bifida. One could walk, but her knees were bowed, and she had to use a walker, but I was amazed how fast she could walk. The other could walk, run, jump, swim, ride horses, skip, play and lead a normal life. I was lucky to have them so I could learn more about spina bifida and how these kids need to be treated, not as freaks but as human beings with feelings and hopes and dreams like everyone else. I live for the day when difference is celebrated and not feared.

[BrianB]

Originally Posted by pnggrad79

Brian,
I had two students with mild forms of spina bifida. One could walk, but her knees were bowed, and she had to use a walker, but I was amazed how fast she could walk. The other could walk, run, jump, swim, ride horses, skip, play and lead a normal life. I was lucky to have them so I could learn more about spina bifida and how these kids need to be treated, not as freaks but as human beings with feelings and hopes and dreams like everyone else. I live for the day when difference is celebrated and not feared.

People seem to fear difference no matter what form it takes. I'm glad you had these two students to show you that they are just people. It's a double whammy for me being bisexual and having spina bifida. With spina bifida it makes a huge difference as to where you have the lesion on your back. A higher lesion generally means less function. A lower lesion means more function.