The Observer, March 10, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 20
Free Speech Zone: Athenian abuses first amendment freedoms
To the Editor:
Chances are, you've seen The Athenian around campus. If not, The Athenian is a magazine published by Case students that tends to deviate from the beaten journalistic path. There's nothing wrong with such an idea; in fact, I believe one should be applauded for taking the road less traveled.
However, after reading the February issue, I realized that The Athenian is nothing more than using the first amendment simply because someone can, a wholly irresponsible act. The issue opens with an article entitled "OMG I hate nerds," in which the writer attacks students for being diligent in their studies and for not drinking. The rest of the issue stumbles through a random spat of articles and discourses, while the back cover shows a man beating a horse (although obviously fake), with the message: "Many animals were harmed during the writing of The Athenian. Screw you PETA." Such gestures are entirely inappropriate and unnecessary. Offending someone for the sake of showing that you can is not making a statement, it's being irresponsible with your right to free speech.
I can't stand the people who carry the first amendment in a holster on their side, ready to pull it out at will as justification for their inappropriate remarks and characterizations. People should be offended when other people characterize others based on their sexual preference, ethnicity, or in some other inappropriate manner. Whether they know it or not, such statements hurt others, yet there's no reason for them. When you can express yourself in so many ways, why do you have to do it this way? To me, it shows a lack of grasp of the English language and general disregard for the feelings of others.
It's time people took responsibility for what comes out of their mouths. The first amendment should be viewed as the right to say something, not as the fortress to hide behind after you say it.
Alexander Cooke
Undergraduate Student
