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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 1996)
Opinion Monday, February 12,1996 Page 4 J. Christopher Haiti Doug Kouma. Doug Peters. Sqrah Scalet. Matt Waite. Michelle Garner... Jennifer Mapes .... Nebraskan Editorial Board University of Nebraska-Lincoln -Editor, 472-1766 .Managing Editor .. Opinion Page Editor Associate News Editor Associate News Editor .Wire Editor .Columnist Magic’s back Hope still exists for AIDS sufferers 1991: Magic Johnson announces he has contracted HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, from unprotected heterosexual sex. He retires from basketball, citing personal health and the well-being of team mates and opponents as his reasons. 1996: Magic Johnson comes out of retirement to a hero’s wel come. What a difference a few years can make. AIDS education and awareness has progressed to the point that Magic Johnson is accepted, even welcomed back to the game, by teammates and opponents alike. In 1991, Utah’s Karl Malone stated flatly that he wouldn’t play against Magic. Last week, he did. Malone said he had become more knowledgeable about HIV in the past few years. Magic’s face adorned the covers of most major American news magazines this past week. Number 32 is being hailed by the media as the man who is showing athletic prowess, which, although somewhat diminished, is still remarkable, HIV or not That is perhaps the greatest thing about Magic’s return. He is once again breaking the myths of AIDS. In 1991, he broke the myth that HIV was the gay man’s disease, announcing he had contracted the virus through heterosexual contact. This time, he is breaking the myth that HIV is an immediate, irrevocable death sentence. The smile he wore on the Forum floor last week showed that Magic is still very much alive, thank you. When we look at Magic now, we see a basketball player who happens to be HIV positive, not someone who’s HIV positive and happens to be playing basketball. Sadly, the acceptance Magic has received is not universal. Many AIDS sufferers have become lost in the stigma of the disease—their personalities are asterisks next to the bold letters that define their existence, “AIDS.” This disparity in acceptance, for whatever reason, is unfortunate. But hopefully, Magic Johnson’s return will provide the understand ing and hope needed by the millions of AIDS sufferers worldwide. Meanwhile, having number 32 back on the court is a tremendous triumph for the man, the game and our society. Editorial policy Staff editorials represent the official policy of the Spring 19% Daily Ne braskan. Policy is set by the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board. Editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of the university, its employees, the stu dents or the NU Board of Regents. Editorial columns represent the opin ion of the author. The regents publish the Daily Nebraskan. They establish the UNL Publications Board to super vise the daily production of the paper. According to policy set by the regents, responsibility for die editorial content of the newspaper lies solely in the hands of its students. Letter policy The Daily Nebraskan welcomes brief letters to the editor from all readers and interested others. Letters will be selected for publication on the basis of clarity, originality, timeliness and space available. The Daily Nebraskan retains the right to edit or reject all material submitted. Readers also are welcome to submit mate rial as guest opinions. The editor decides whether material should run as a guest opinion. Letters and guest opinions sent to the newspaper become the property of the Daily Nebraskan and cannot be re turned. Anonymous submissions will not be pub lished. Letters should include the author’s name, year in school, major and group affiliation, if any. Re quests to withhold names, will not be granted. Submit material to: Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St. Lincoln, Neb. 68588-0448. COIWTTEE TO RE-ELECT THE PRESIDENT 1//S' l u 11 i ks io i in: i;i)i roK Some advice Apparently, Bob Ray’s prob lems with sexuality don’t stop with his overt homophobia. It seems that any open displays of affection between any two loving humans “disgusts” him. Ray would like to institute and maintain a “closet” not just for us homosexuals, but for heterosexuals as well. Every one should “keep it in the bed room.” Sorry Ray, humans normally display their affections in public; stop being so puritanical and get used to it. Tell you what Mr. Ray, just for the fun, pretend to be a gay guy, hold a male friend’s hand in public someday and see what the reac tions are, then tell me that we gays don’t have a long way to go in securing our civil rights. William A. Poe graduate student anthropology via e-mail Het-parade Bob Ray wrote: “If I were to organize a heterosexual parade this spring, would anyone join me in marching down O Street?” But it’s already happening Bob, they’re already joining you — you have no need to worry, you’re surrounded by heterosexuality... Every day and in every way, the world is treated to a heterosexual parade down every street, road, alleyway, lane and path — after all, the basic assumption that is made about everyone is that they are heterosexual. If that weren’t the case, why would heterosexuals act surprised when “normal (heterosexual) looking” people turn out to be gay? That’s something that happens amazingly often. That’s the truth. Read a magazine, see a movie, listen to the radio, watch television — experience the reflection of the heteroparade — in fact, when you’re not heterosexual, you can hardly find yourself... That’s the truth, also. Rest at ease Mr. Ray — you are not alone... Michael Keacli Southfield, RJ via e-mail Not just a river In Egypt “The respect homosexuals demand will be given when they respect those who are not gay.” The issue at hand, Mr. Ray, is not about respect. Gay/Lesbian/Bi sexual/Transgender pride is not about earning the respect from those who don't fall into these categories. It’s about acceptance. Members of the gay community only want to be accepted so that issues of discrimi nation, hate crimes, and the like are looked down upon by society, not just the gay community. IJ I ft rr Jason Giidow/DN Your attitude of ‘keeping it in the bedroom’ doesn’t show acceptance. It shows denial. Scott Jones junior secondary special education via e-mail Discrimination Is that bad Bob Ray has written what is perhaps the most insensitive column of the semester thus far. When you’re denied a job, or are fired from a job on the basis of your orientation, (for that matter, when you lose a job because your em ployer SUSPECTS you are gay. It can happen.) When you’re thrown out of the military on the basis of what you do in your bedroom, then you can tell that it “just isn’t that bad” Bob. When you’re beaten by insecure, ignorant thugs as you walk home from the bar, or are shot by homophobic gang members who crash your party, then you can tell us that “most heterosexuals could care less.” You will find it hard to lose the “cloud of insecurity” when the “700 Club”-watching Christian zombies condemn your life on the basis of what happens in your own bedroom, or when die continual onslaught of gay jokes come up in your work place. When you’re denied custody of your children, or denied the ability to adopt on the basis of what you do in your bedroom Bob, come tell me that it’s “not that bad.” James A. Zank senior English via e-mail Accept this Regarding Bob Ray’s column, “Get Over It,” it’s attitudes like his that trouble me most. When people say “We hate fags,” at least we know they are homophobic, and we can accept it and deal with it. When people say, “Oh it’s OK that you’re gay, BUT...” that’s when we have a problem. Acceptance of gays is an all or nothing thing. What further puzzles me is why a simple pin bothers this man so much. We, as gay people, wear pins and march and have parades and show affection in public because it is our right. Straight people don’t congregate and shout their pride because they don’t need to. They have that every day of their lives. Straight men don’t need to walk down O Street, shouting “we like girls, we like girls;” they can just go to a frat party for that. As gay people, we are in all sorts of closets, and this is a time where we are stepping out and letting ourselves be heard. I personally don’t want people assuming I am straight, because I am not, and that is my right. Tomorrow, in Jionor of Bob Ray, I am going to wear every lesbian button, T shirt, sticker and flag that I have. Inappropriate? Who cares? Roxane Gay sophomore general studies via e-mail