TO THE EDITOR:
Friday’s letter by Scott Williams titled “Tancredo and his beliefs have no place on campus” (April 23) gave an impassioned opinion on a controversial speaker, and I applaud the author for his spirited message.
Nevertheless, I feel the letter’s content was fallible. I believe it is impossible to create change by refusing to hear someone’s opinion. If the author is correct that Tancredo “directly supports groups like the Minutemen, the Tea Party and lots of other potential mobilizers,” it follows that many Americans identify with Tancredo’s opinions, despite their possible flaws.
By claiming that Tancredo and his beliefs have no place at UNC, the ability to challenge many Americans’ viewpoints is lost. However abhorrent an opinion may be, denying people the right to voice it will make it impossible to change their beliefs.
Energy should not be wasted by claiming Tancredo’s beliefs have no place at UNC. Tancredo and his beliefs will have a place — today, in our Student Union Auditorium at 7 p.m. Concerned students should listen carefully to Tancredo and devote themselves to delegitimizing his argument. The energy, respect, and intelligence of a mass of Tar Heels can create an influence at least equal and opposite to that of intolerance.
Patrick Heenan
Freshman
Physics, Astronomy
