To the Editor:
In response to Andrew Tibbetts’ recent editorial about dealing with obscenity, I would like to agree with his position that the best way to avoid hearing offensive language is to push the off button or turn the page. If more of us would find the courage to do this, publishers and broadcasters would soon get the message.
However, there is one place here at RPI where no off button is available, and we are forced to “deal with it,” as suggested by Tibbetts’ article. I’m referring to the public areas such as dining halls, the Union, and walkways. I looked in the dictionary and found that a synonym for “obscenity,” which is the word Tibbetts used to refer to this language, is “filthiness.” So let me paint a picture for you: I’m walking to class one morning, freshly showered and clean, when a stranger comes up from behind and dumps a bag full of his trash over my head. This would be actionable under the laws of our country, is against the policies of Rensselaer, and shows a lack of respect for others. Yet this is exactly how I, and other RPI students, faculty, staff, and alumni, feel when unexpectedly confronted with filthy language on campus. Civility, maturity, and respect cannot be regulated, only politely asked for. And so I ask on behalf of my family, and those with similar thoughts, for a re-examination of our campus vocabulary.
Secondly, writing an article in The Poly, even for the editorial page, is a public trust. The method of using profanity to defend profanity which Tibbetts employed does not represent the school, the readership of The Poly, or even the current undergraduate classes, very well. You have embarrassed students, their parents, alumni, and the administration by implying that we are in agreement with your opinion. Your claim that we are in “the minority of Americans” is unsupported. A Gallup poll conducted in February found that 58 percent of Americans are offended by on-screen swearing. The survey also showed that age is a strong predictor of whether a person finds such content offensive. So while you may speak for some, you’ve reduced our collective reputation to the gutters with your commentary. But I’m glad you have opened this issue for public discussion because I have been thinking about it for a couple of years now.
One last comment—as a father of three, I assume from your extremist statements about raising children that you have not been blessed with that responsibility yet. In my experience, time will soften your views and change your mind.
Thank you again for bringing this discussion to the forefront. I encourage others to comment as well.
Brad Stephenson
ELEC GRAD
