Celebrating diversity is something that many people do not get to experience until stepping foot on a college campus. The days of being pushed around in the hallways by high school bullies are usually triumphed once a person is introduced to the diverse spectrum of university life and has entered into a world outside of suburbia. There is solace in knowing that there are educated people and carefully crafted organizations dedicated to wholeheartedly embracing students and welcoming a colorful array of people from different races, ethnic backgrounds, religions and sexualities. Unfortunately, sometimes those high school bullies still stomp around searching for outsiders who infiltrate on their closed minded hatred.
Roger Hines’ article, “Biting the Hand that Feeds You: The Way of Academia,” published Sept. 29 in the Marietta Daily Journal claims that “the action of Kennesaw State University in promoting Gay Pride Month is a slap in the face of the citizens of Cobb, Cherokee, Bartow, and all other counties in the region KSU serves.”
Hines explains, “KSU’s celebration of Gay Pride is an affront to the entire state since the university, the state’s third largest, receives tax money generated by citizens across Georgia.”
Considering that KSU, as a public institution, receives tax money from the state means that the university has a responsibility to represent the entire public community. That means everyone, including the thousands of people that embody the LGBTIQ community. I’ve grown up with countless gay and lesbian community members, who pay taxes, work for state institutions and pay tuition. Our LGBTIQ peers deserve to be represented by their community just as much as anyone else. KSU takes pride in not only recognizing these people but dedicates a month in celebrating them, celebrating the ones who have often spent much of their lives being judged and ridiculed for simply being who they are. KSU invites its students to unapologetically be themselves and this is something that should be commended.
It isn’t just about supporting LGBTIQ rights; it’s about supporting human rights. If we are not progressive and do not keep moving towards eliminating the barriers we use to divide ourselves, we will not evolve as a culture. We can never stop fighting for civil rights and we must continue to stand up for each and every member of our community.
Celebrating diversity it what makes KSU such a warm, open place. The more you stand against us, the stronger we stand together. We invite you to come join us in celebrating the many different spectrums of humanity, but until then, while KSU continues to evolve, those who refuse to grow with us will be left behind.
Brittany Maher
Senior Communication Major
