To The Daily Collegian, I am writing in response to the March 18 editorial titled “Don’t let extreme voices speak for all of Penn State.”
Let me start off by saying I am truly saddened by the editorial. I do not consider myself extreme, and I had hoped that our school would be adequately and fairly represented by The Daily Collegian. I had hoped that the legacy of Coach Joe Paterno would be respected and that you would only wish to seek the truth. Rather, you only seem to seek to defend those in power and move on. Move on to what?
Those I have spoken to about this seem to think that it is natural for our current student body not to really understand how important it is to pursue the truth or understand the importance of our legacy.
After all, you are looking to the future not the past. When I was on campus we took on difficult issues and challenged the established way of thinking with regard to many different issues, from the war in Vietnam to many social and environmental concerns.
These were often national and worldwide issues, to be sure. You have an opportunity to take up the cause for issues of a somewhat different nature — ones perhaps more close to our hearts, but no less important.
This is about who we are as a university and as a community. Therefore, with your voice, you can fight for the truth and for those whose voices aren’t being heard or feel they are not being heard.
This includes the student athletes, the faculty and the alumni. I agree, let’s come together, let’s stand together and fight for them, for us — you, me and all of us Penn Staters.
I will fight for your right to practice your religion and that’s what true tolerance is about, but your right to practice your religion ends when you try to bully or deny rights to others.
Lee Kowalski
Class of 1971
