To the Editor:
I am writing in response to the editorial appearing in the October 2 issue of The Polytechnic entitled “Intolerance shocks editor.”
If the individual who “verbally assaulted” Vidhu S. Pandey was in fact a brother of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, I’m ashamed and embarrassed that one of my brothers would use derogatory words to compromise the well-being of another human being. Again, if these statements were indeed made by a TKE brother I would like to apologize for his actions and look for him to be reprimanded. The words of the alleged brother are not condoned by the rest of the brotherhood, and were extremely inappropriate. However, they do not represent the opinions of his 50 other brothers locally, and 10,000 other active brothers nationally.
Vidhu S. Pandey, who felt belittled by a racial slur and stereotypes, turned around and stereotyped a whole other group of people in order to alleviate his anger with the incident. Tau Kappa Epsilon is Jew, Christian, non-believer, Indian, Filipino, Puerto Rican, and European; but above all, like Mr. Pandey, TKE is American. The brothers of the Gamma Epsilon chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon hail from a range of backgrounds. Yet, we all share a common bond of brotherhood, and respect one another’s diversity. We do not accept racism and ignorance.
When I wear the letters TKE on campus, I wear them with pride. Due to words of an individual, who claims to be a brother of my fraternity, I feel that I am being bullied into wearing my letters with the fear of being labeled. Next time I wear the letters TKE on campus will I be seen as the respectable dedicated vice-president of the Class of 2005, or will people think, “That’s ‘a brother of Tau Kappa Epsilon,’ maybe he is the one who ‘verbally assaulted’ Vidhu S. Pandey.” Mr. Pandey’s editorial has libeled my character and that of 50 other respectable young men.
I again apologize to Mr. Pandey that the events of Saturday, September 22 occurred. Even if it was not my brother, which I hope to be the truth, it is not acceptable. It is evident that hatred and discrimination exists on the RPI campus and needs to be addressed. However, I wish to have my name and the names of my brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon cleared for the actions of a mysterious individual.
Kiel Weston
MECH ‘05
