The First Amendment is an important part of our country's democracy, and would be weakened if we as citizens choose who is able to use its protection and who is denied its protection discriminately. Brian Battaglia has the right to have the pictures displayed on his Web site.

However, its disconcerting that members of the College Republicans do not feel that these pictures could make some individuals feel threatened and are offensive to many students, not simply "to a vocal minority." Costumes depicting "sorostitutes" and an "oversodomized frat pledge" can be dismissed as indecent or offensive, but the president of the College Republicans should not protect the "costumes" of Takkeem Morgan and the KKK member.

Jason Covener, the person dressed as Morgan, has defended previous comments he has made about Morgan by stating: "By stealing a bike, [Morgan] was reaffirming stereotypes of blacks that he should be trying to negate."

If he feels compelled to hold Morgan responsible for the stereotypes of his entire race, it is only fair that Covenor hold himself and fellow Republicans responsible for the stereotypes of his entire political party. By dressing in blackface, he is reaffirming the stereotype that conservatives are racist.