2008 Woodie Awards
T-shirts can serve as a freedom of expression
Guest column
Issue date: 9/18/07 Section: Opinion
Maybe I do love the way Hawaiian girls grow their coconuts …
Wow. It baffles my mind how ridiculous some Americans have become about censorship. I recently had time to sit and ponder on two recent Alestle articles: Tony Patrico's "Graphic T-shirts not always appropriate" and Tom Dehner's "Column on offensive T-shirts is correct." It seems to me that the opinions of these two gentlemen are a bit on the conservative side, so I thought it was my obligation to provide a fresh (liberal) perspective.
Mr. Patrico addresses many points in his article, one being that "there is a time and a place for those items to be worn." Really? It's funny because I was under the impression that it was my right to determine what I wore in the morning. OK, you want to make the case that your English professor has to look at your shirt in class - fine. I would have to respond to his question by answering, "Yes, I feel completely comfortable wearing that shirt in front of my English professor." For one, it is a legitimate expression of my "off -color" personality. Two, I don't care whether or not he/she likes my shirt; they're there to teach me English, not fashion. And three, it's not a distraction unless you make it one.
Oh, and not to be rude, but who really cares what anyone at Denny's thinks about my clothes?
Straying away from Mr. Patrico's conservative bash on my freedom to express myself, we move onto Mr. Dehner's letter.
Excuse me Mr. Dehner, but I would just like to let you know that if you ever approached me about something I was wearing (that you might not agree with), I might listen and politely nod as you "confront" me in public (which I feel is, in and of itself, quite rude), but do you really think I am going to care what you - or anyone else - think? No offense, but I won't. Sorry.
I do not feel it is my obligation to compromise my freedom of expression (be it tattoos, T-shirts, dance, etc.) just because you feel that they are not appropriate. I am surprised that you have not yet broken down the Student Experimental Theatre Organization's doors claiming indecency. It's all about expression; whether or not you agree is up to you, but "confronting" a person in public about their apparel is quite ridiculous.
America needs to loosen up. Yes, America may be more desensitized. Yes, these shirts may be offensive to some (though quite witty and/or funny to others). And yes, this is now an issue imbedded in SIUE's history, but none of this is as big a problem as compromising any American's freedom of expression and/or speech.
A General (yet relevant) note: In history, the Counter-Reformation censored many classical statues. Many scholars today look back on these acts with much disdain.
Possible Solution: All students should be required to wear school uniforms. (Don't worry; I'm laughing, too.)
David Whitacre
Junior
Wow. It baffles my mind how ridiculous some Americans have become about censorship. I recently had time to sit and ponder on two recent Alestle articles: Tony Patrico's "Graphic T-shirts not always appropriate" and Tom Dehner's "Column on offensive T-shirts is correct." It seems to me that the opinions of these two gentlemen are a bit on the conservative side, so I thought it was my obligation to provide a fresh (liberal) perspective.
Mr. Patrico addresses many points in his article, one being that "there is a time and a place for those items to be worn." Really? It's funny because I was under the impression that it was my right to determine what I wore in the morning. OK, you want to make the case that your English professor has to look at your shirt in class - fine. I would have to respond to his question by answering, "Yes, I feel completely comfortable wearing that shirt in front of my English professor." For one, it is a legitimate expression of my "off -color" personality. Two, I don't care whether or not he/she likes my shirt; they're there to teach me English, not fashion. And three, it's not a distraction unless you make it one.
Oh, and not to be rude, but who really cares what anyone at Denny's thinks about my clothes?
Straying away from Mr. Patrico's conservative bash on my freedom to express myself, we move onto Mr. Dehner's letter.
Excuse me Mr. Dehner, but I would just like to let you know that if you ever approached me about something I was wearing (that you might not agree with), I might listen and politely nod as you "confront" me in public (which I feel is, in and of itself, quite rude), but do you really think I am going to care what you - or anyone else - think? No offense, but I won't. Sorry.
I do not feel it is my obligation to compromise my freedom of expression (be it tattoos, T-shirts, dance, etc.) just because you feel that they are not appropriate. I am surprised that you have not yet broken down the Student Experimental Theatre Organization's doors claiming indecency. It's all about expression; whether or not you agree is up to you, but "confronting" a person in public about their apparel is quite ridiculous.
America needs to loosen up. Yes, America may be more desensitized. Yes, these shirts may be offensive to some (though quite witty and/or funny to others). And yes, this is now an issue imbedded in SIUE's history, but none of this is as big a problem as compromising any American's freedom of expression and/or speech.
A General (yet relevant) note: In history, the Counter-Reformation censored many classical statues. Many scholars today look back on these acts with much disdain.
Possible Solution: All students should be required to wear school uniforms. (Don't worry; I'm laughing, too.)
David Whitacre
Junior
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Gaylord K. Brooks
posted 9/18/07 @ 2:19 PM CST
I am in my sixties. Before they built SIUE; I was a member of that so...so... cool society of beatniks and hippies. You know, the generation that created Woodstock. (Continued…)
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