Dear BTL,
I was reading your paper and was very upset by the comic "Dykes to Watch Out For" in the Oct. 6 issue. In the United States everyone has the right to freedom of choice. It's your civil right to be gay and proud of it. God gave us free will to abide by his covenant. Homosexuals have been fighting for so many years to have their rights protected, through these rights there have been gay churches, gay marriages, etc. As I read this paper I thought to myself, "How can Between The Lines insult another social class of people with this comic?" The exact statement that I am referring to is quote, "Hell, why not turn the whole south into a Gone With the Wind theme party? They can hire the evacuees to play the slaves! At less than the prevailing wage, of course."
The whole statement was a violation to those who have fought for civil rights. Every African American person was totally disrespected by this comment. Not to mention all the victims in the Katrina disaster who have become displaced.
Homosexuals should be the first not to throw stones living in a glass house. America has instituted laws to protect gay rights, African-Americans and Jews. Once these laws are in place they are meant to protect what we do in our actions being careful not to start a racial riot by delivering a newspaper with direct slander towards its consumers.
This paper is delivered to young African-American adults whose minds are impressionable. Not only do you want the safety of our community which is predominately black when you deliver the paper but also you want the African-American people who are gay to read your paper. You have reputable businesses that advertise with you. I ask that you not allow any more racial jokes about African-Americans in your newspaper. Detroit is a striving city and its people should not be subjected to slander in this paper. I believe that the Katrina victims should also be given an apology. In conclusion, in order for gay America to earn respect they also have to give respect or a cycle of violence will be repeated.
Veretta J. Burnett,
Detroit
Editor's note: Humor, especially sarcasm, can sometimes backfire. Alison Bechdel meant the comic to express the racial injustice of the Katrina situation and the perceived racism of the Bush Administration. The character in the comic who makes the comment is an African-American woman who uses sarcasm to express her anger. By no means is BTL or Alison Bechdel advocating humiliating African-Americans in any way. We regret that some people found it to be offensive.
