|
Letter: Poorly written piece was homophobic, too
Op-Ed · February 02, 2012
West Branch is a wonderful community in which to live and raise a family. Our schools work very hard to teach our children the importance of respect for each other as students, members of this wonderful community and as fellow human beings.
As parents, we teach our children how imperative it is to have compassion, respect and tolerance for others and demand the same for themselves. West Branch has a long-standing tradition of excellence and those of us, who choose to make this community home, have an immense sense of hometown pride and respect for those we call our neighbors.
I was very disappointed in, and confused by the Op-Ed piece published in last week’s West Branch Times by Editor Gregory Norfleet. In this piece, Mr. Norfleet uses an exchange between our head football coach and a foul-mouthed student fan to springboard his argument that homosexuality is a choice and “desires can be overcome completely, or guided in different directions.” The implication is that homosexuality is wrong and those who identify themselves as such, are somehow less of a human being than those who identify themselves as heterosexual and suggests that they could be guided in a “different direction.”
Besides the confusing and absurd connection between how a football coach’s remarks to an unruly student relates to the other, I feel this piece was not only poorly written, but completely homophobic and disrespectful to those members of our community, our friends and members of our families who identify themselves as homosexual.
I would like to convey my deep gratitude for the right to express our own opinions in this great country of ours. I ask that this right not be confused with our personal and sometimes professional responsibility to our fellow citizens, community, friends, neighbors, children, subscribers and advertising businesses; to be clear, concise, respectful and straightforward. The Op-Ed, Soapbox piece was nothing short of unprofessional, embarrassing, and an insult to homosexual members of our community and to our community’s reputation that has been a longstanding tradition of respect and excellence we should work together to maintain with great pride.
Emilie Walsh-Blindt, West Branch
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
