2008 Woodie Awards
A tribute to the truly courageous
By: Brian Kutzley
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Forum
During my time in Bowling Green I've been repeatedly informed that my convictions are abusive to hold and easy to express. Those who represent my political and philosophical opposition are told by these same arbiters that their expressions are a practice in heroism.
While it is somewhat amiss to write a column commending - even circuitously - myself, this judgment must be challenged.
Is it heroic to side with prevailing views?
Whether the opinion is valid is irrelevant for the moment; my point is simply that no courage is required on this campus of any movement involving the words "equality" or "progress."
On the reverse side, each column I submit to The BG News is a case study in endurance.
I stand by every word I have written in the last two semesters. I believe in the causes I champion and the challenges I issue. And I know that the instant my words are published, my writing, my beliefs and my very person will be assaulted, sometimes threatened and inevitably ridiculed.
Every incidence in which I have been accused of utilizing demographic privilege in order to safely and effortlessly espouse "dominant" views is - in beautiful irony - an articulate statement to the contrary, proof that my expressions are neither safe nor effortless.
I would like, therefore, to pay tribute to individuals and organizations whose genuinely heroic efforts on campus are met with scorn and hatred.
First up has to be the College Republicans (full disclosure: from August 2006 to December 2007, I and an individual also garnering public hatred, Daniel Lipian, spearheaded this organization).
The membership of College Republicans never exceeds more than about 30 individuals, and normally is whittled down to half that by year's end. Yet they succeed in being one of the most iconic, controversial and courageous organizations on campus.
When planning events, the group is confronted with the inevitable "offensiveness factor" - "can we actually afford to express an opinion on BG's campus?" As a natural evolution, we protect our members more viciously than a newspaper protects its reporters, and to this day no one is truly the wiser as to which member actually planned the notorious "Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day."
While it is somewhat amiss to write a column commending - even circuitously - myself, this judgment must be challenged.
Is it heroic to side with prevailing views?
Whether the opinion is valid is irrelevant for the moment; my point is simply that no courage is required on this campus of any movement involving the words "equality" or "progress."
On the reverse side, each column I submit to The BG News is a case study in endurance.
I stand by every word I have written in the last two semesters. I believe in the causes I champion and the challenges I issue. And I know that the instant my words are published, my writing, my beliefs and my very person will be assaulted, sometimes threatened and inevitably ridiculed.
Every incidence in which I have been accused of utilizing demographic privilege in order to safely and effortlessly espouse "dominant" views is - in beautiful irony - an articulate statement to the contrary, proof that my expressions are neither safe nor effortless.
I would like, therefore, to pay tribute to individuals and organizations whose genuinely heroic efforts on campus are met with scorn and hatred.
First up has to be the College Republicans (full disclosure: from August 2006 to December 2007, I and an individual also garnering public hatred, Daniel Lipian, spearheaded this organization).
The membership of College Republicans never exceeds more than about 30 individuals, and normally is whittled down to half that by year's end. Yet they succeed in being one of the most iconic, controversial and courageous organizations on campus.
When planning events, the group is confronted with the inevitable "offensiveness factor" - "can we actually afford to express an opinion on BG's campus?" As a natural evolution, we protect our members more viciously than a newspaper protects its reporters, and to this day no one is truly the wiser as to which member actually planned the notorious "Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day."
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 9
MME
posted 4/15/08 @ 10:19 AM EST
You forgot to add this as well:
"I commend you, members of the KKK. You defend a viewpoint that is unpopular. It is a viewpoint that is scorned and hated. (Continued…)
Thank You, Brian Kutzley
posted 4/15/08 @ 10:23 AM EST
You know, Brian Kutzley, must say I disagreed with a lot of your articles. But I do respect you as a person, and this piece of yours sums that up well. (Continued…)
MME
posted 4/15/08 @ 10:24 AM EST
Oh, I forgot to mention something. It's funny that, because you wrote some columns expressing some opinions that caused some people to write in opposition, you now fancy yourself a hero. (Continued…)
none
posted 4/15/08 @ 11:14 AM EST
Using your definitions, I would also like to commend The Organization for Women's Issues, NARAL Pro-choice, The Latino Student Union, The Native American Unity Council, Vision, Transendence, the Black Student Union, and all other groups on campus which seek to foster tolerance and respect for diversity. (Continued…)
MME
posted 4/15/08 @ 2:32 PM EST
"Their way of protesting might be ignorant, but not because of what they are protesting!"
There's nothing wrong with what they're protesting? Not even the fact that they're protesting the rights of black people to live without fear? Pfft, ok. (Continued…)
Grumpy Guy
posted 4/16/08 @ 2:26 AM EST
I just wish people would find ways of "defending themselves" that aren't so damned childish and/ or destructive. As for the KKK and it's followers, as a white guy with roots in the South, I sure wish there weren't such sore losers in the world. (Continued…)
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