TO THE EDITOR:
Since nearly everyone agrees that the bus chants at Oklahoma and the comments within the N.C. State notebook were repugnant, what should we do?
The powers that be have moved quickly to expel or otherwise sanction those involved.
The Daily Tar Heel should be a voice in opposition. The early protesters against the Vietnam War were “commies”. The supporters of the cafeteria strike were called unspeakable names.
In every case, the DTH stood for protected speech, however objectionable to the majority. Before opposing the war was popular, there were calls for the administration to take over the DTH or to close it.
We may passionately abhor racist and sexist speech, but it is protected and the DTH should say so. To do less because of political headwinds soils the legacy with which you have been entrusted.
David Wynne
Class of ’71
