A source of hypocrisy and outrage

Outrage and disappointment have forced me to respond to Rafi Goldberg's 11/6 viewpoint, "A Source of Contention." Last April, our rather foolish and unknowingly anti-democratic student body voted to allow culture representatives, unelected by the student population that the Senate represents, to become voting entities in the Senate. That was one of the most upsetting days I've experienced at Tufts; never in my wildest dreams had I imagined a campus consisting mostly of Americans to actually vote away part of their democracy.

Reading Mr. Goldberg's viewpoint confirmed the supporters and founders of the absurd third Amendment to the TCU Constitution are truly as hypocritical and intolerant as I had suspected. The idea for culture representatives, while a nice and "fair" idea on the surface, was really just a ploy to gain voice and power for the extremists on campus. These people for some reason believe their extreme and, yes, very minority political views are somehow not getting their share of Senate power and voice. By getting culture reps on the Senate they believe they took an advantage over their "arch enemies" like the people from The Primary Source.

Well folks, wake up and smell the undemocratic cup of coffee you all voted for in April. I don't care if the KKK, much less a legitimate minority group like conservatives, wants a culture rep, you are now obligated to give it to them. Since we're all so equal and fair, everyone deserves a culture rep, no matter how offensive or disagreeable you may find his or her politics or ideology.

There is a reason people who are not elected representatives are allowed to attend Senate meetings. This is so minority opinions and ideas can be heard. Any of these minority groups can affect Senate votes by arguing for changes that are truly fair and positive, not just self-serving.

To anyone who has a problem with a conservative culture rep, either quit your whining or get rid of the undemocratic third Amendment. All it took for the amendment's supporters to try reneging on their new "laws" was an attempt by a minority group they disagreed with to try to get its promised culture representative. How fair is that?

Senators refusing to cooperate with any given culture rep is unacceptable and it violates their mandated duties. Democracy means putting aside discrimination and intolerance to work together, not picking and choosing which minorities deserve a voice. Until the third Amendment is removed, every senator has no choice but to abide by the word of that amendment and equally recognize every minority that seeks a voice.

So, let's all raise a glass to the common sense that was flushed down the toilet when the third Amendment was voted into activation. We can only hope someone grabs a plunger and resurrects that common sense by voiding all this culture rep nonsense.



Chris Just is a senior majoring in a plan of study titled, "Public Relations and Communications of Leadership."