Dollar-Wright II is a UCLA alumnus with a master of fine arts
degree in screenwriting.
By Donte Dollar-Wright II
I think it is very unbecoming of the Daily Bruin to publish
explicit and sexually offensive material, such as articles
discussing anal sex and the TenPercent ads showing two males
kissing.
Homosexuality, at best, is a biological anomaly, a mistake, an
irrefutable glitch of nature. Most gays claim they did not choose
to be gay. They claim they were born that way ““ and maybe
that’s true. Therefore, it would be wrong to hate someone for
something he or she has no control over. It is like hating someone
born with a disability ““ it is just plain wrong.
Consequently, heterosexuals understand the need for homosexuals
to express themselves. However, when some homosexuals, through the
flamboyant display of their sexuality, cross the lines of decency,
it gives other homosexuals a bad name. Not everyone hates
homosexuals, but they accrue negative attention when everything
about them is predicated on their sexual proclivities.
There is more to being gay than just having sex, but little more
is portrayed, even in the media. Some cable network shows, such as
“Queer as Folk” depict explicit gay sexual activity.
Fellatio, which in predominantly heterosexual programs would be
implied, was, in this show, one step away from leaving nothing to
the imagination. While on the one hand we extend our understanding
and practice tolerance for nature’s aberrance, we implore you
to refrain from crossing the lines of decency.
Not all homosexuals are guilty of this, but a lot are. During my
school years I knew two gay people in the Co-op dorms. I would joke
around and play fight with one, but didn’t want to be in the
same room with the other. Why? He was lewd and obnoxious about it,
completely disregarding other people’s comfort zone. But if
heterosexuals speak up against this, homosexuals pull the hate
card. They say you must be homophobic and generally equate
themselves with minorities. But comparing homophobia to racism is a
gargantuan fallacy.
Consider this: at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards, Eminem was
asked why his lyrics were anti-gay. “It’s the same as
talking bad about black people,” the interviewer challenged
him. “No, it’s not; it’s different,” Eminem
retorted. “How is it different?” prodded the
interviewer. Eminem’s response, when it finally came, after
an interminable pause, was disappointing. Eminem,
ten-thousand-words-per-second said, “I don’t know,
it’s just different.”
Obviously, Eminem had not given it thought. We should. While
hate has been directed at both ethnic minorities and gays, the
similarity ends there. Ethnic people, black, white, etc. are normal
homosapiens who can procreate. Homosexuality is an unnatural
occurrence which cannot perpetuate the circle of life. If we were
all gay, we would have to resort to artificial insemination to
forestall extinction.
Furthermore, gay people may conceal their sexuality in order to
procure a job or compete for a scholarship, then come out when they
reach high ranks. People of ethnic minorities, on the other hand,
do not have the same luxury: you are black for eternity, white for
life, and yellow or brown until hell freezes over.
But though it’s different, homosexuality does not warrant
hate. It is okay if you are biologically, mentally or
physiologically inclined toward homosexuality ““ it’s
not your fault. If, however, you happen to be one of the hedonists
caught up in one night of experimentation and derived orgasmic
pleasures hitherto undiscovered in heterosexual forays, you ought
to consider this: you are not gay. You’ve made a choice to
let your life be run predominantly by the pleasure principle. But
after all has been said and done, it’s your choice. Be
naturally gay, or “acquired-taste” gay, but please do
it privately.
And to the Daily Bruin: we would rather you did not lead astray
young, impressionable people who have a chance of leading a normal
life by publishing offensive articles promoting gay sex acts.
I do not recall ever reading heterosexual sex manuals or erotica
in the Daily Bruin. I have yet to see a girl kissing a boy in the
Bruin. Here we go, pushing the envelope, taking liberties that are
not afforded to heterosexuals. This accrues resentment and takes us
down pathways that are best left untread.
Were these publications preceded with any warning of explicit
content? I doubt it. I think the Daily Bruin owes its readers an
apology.