Hooray for Jeremy Reynalds! His is truly a "voice in the wilderness" on this campus.
I find it so interesting when people decry his brand of censorship, yet find no problem with his being kicked off the air.
Censorship is a fact of life. If this letter is printed, it passed a censorship test.
The media make decisions continually about what to present. Libel and slander laws institutionalize censorship.
I find it hypocritical that those who decry censorship of foul language and drug promotions are often at the head of the line protesting the right of tobacco businesses to advertise their legal product.
Joy Junction, Jeremy's homeless shelter, not only gives succor to the homeless but staffers there present the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this reason he does not, and perhaps cannot, accept government funds. Being a privately supported organization, he must be careful about his image.
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Accepting money from a drag queen group could send a confusing message to others, including supporters, about the foundational principles of Joy Junction. I think Jeremy was wise in his refusal of the money.
And again, I suspect those who decry his refusal would be at the head of the protest line when a conservative politician takes tobacco or oil money. What's the difference?
Whenever any entity accepts funds, there is always an implicit "beholdenness" that results, and Jeremy does not want to be beholden in any way to this group.
I would love it if someone who thinks that the unfettered expression of profanity, vulgarity, drug promotion and other reprehensible behaviors on the airwaves is fine can also tell me why Jeremy's presentation of protest against these things is so bad.
Perhaps this is a good forum to do so.
Hank Happ,
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