To the Editor:

Gratiot County Players
1776

The Play:  1776 – a must see! Alma’s Gratiot County Players are bursting with talent. From the start to the finish, this production reveals the pressure, tactics and skepticism of breaking away from the bosom of England to become the United States of America. The performers can act, sing and dance. Their personalities and looks fit their characters. Come take this historic journey back to the year of 1776 and the dramatic circumstances that shaped this country’s destiny. The last performances are Friday, May 7, at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 8, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, May 9, at 3 p.m.

Leon and Mary Lou Byl
Alma

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Dear Editor:
I write when I am ins
pired or aggravated. This is a time for the latter style of moral inscription... There is a plague with people our age and we don’t even recognize it is occurring. The use of derogatory language towards homosexuality is the materialization of a prejudice that is sometimes even unrecognized by the speaker. The use of this language is disturbingly frequent and accepted without the youth realizing what they are saying.

The defense that never fails to present itself for the usage of this language is that “I did not mean it in that way…” What people fail to realize is that by using language in such derogatory sense they contribute to the idea that anything but heterosexuality is an inferior lifestyle. It is no different than if someone were to go around saying everyone they didn’t like was acting like a nigger, even if they believe themselves to not be racist. By using a term of speech as offensive as any derogatory name towards homosexuals you are just fueling the fire of inequality. The fact that 31% of homosexual high school students will be the victim of a hate crime assault is undeniable proof.

Words are not powerless. In fact, they are the most powerful tool ever created. A carefully sculpted speech can inspire a nation; just as a fiery, soulful dialogue can spark a war. A word’s powers to influence a society go far beyond even that. The words of millions of people can not be denied as an exposed snap-shot of our generation’s beliefs. The idea that what you say is only words that have no power or influence is blissfully ignorant.

Thank You,
Tyler Gross, Ithaca