'FAG' Flyers Insensitive

As I was walking through the Yard today on the way to the Science Center to get my mail, I saw sign posted everywhere proclaiming the Freshman Arts Group. It would be one thing if that was all the signs did. However, the signs also made a point of loudly proclaiming what anagram the initials made: FAG.

The first sign I saw was taped to the revolving door to the Science Center. I truly could not believe what I had must seen, and I stopped in my tracks to make sure in my mind what my eyes had just witnessed.

The sign was the most offensive thing, of any sort, that I had seen at Harvard. This was not a slip of the tongue, or ignorance to what words someone might find offensive. This is using the most pejorative term for gays as a joke, a sick and twisted joke, used to draw attention.

At first I thought my reaction to the signs (disbelief, disgust, anger and some confusion) was brought on by my hypersensitivity to the word "fag." This is not hypersensitivity. I felt like I was walking through the Republican National Convention during Pat Buchanan's speech.

How would a Jew feel if there were signs all over the Yard for a group whose anagram was KIKE? Probably similar to being in Nazi Germany. Or, if an African-American was surrounded by signs saying NIGGER? Probably similar to being in Alabama in 1850.

I don't think that the Freshman Arts Group is actively anti-gay, but I do think they are showing insensitivity to the immense problem of homophobia in American society by mocking it so blatantly. The Freshmen [sic] Arts Group has protection under the first amendment, but they should realize that just because there is legality to an action does not mean it is inoffensive and they should recognize that such words can hurt deeply. An apology from the Freshman Arts Group should definitely be forthcoming, and posted everywhere in the Yard, as blatantly as the first signs. --Theodore K. Gideonese, '96