Texas Tech student is 'disappointed in Dan Choi'
A Texas Tech University student, who is president of the campus Gay-Straight Alliance, published a letter on DallasVoice.com today lashing out at "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" activist Dan Choi and his agent.
The student's beef? Choi's asking price for speaking engagement and his agent's alleged rudeness in dealings with the student.
Nonnie Ouch writes:
"However, I’ve lost all respect for you as a gay- and human-rights activist. In the course of my two short years as an activist in the communities I have lived in, I have met amazing people such as Irene Andrews, C.d. Kirven and Michael Robinson, who travel from city to city, state to state with their own money and ask NOTHING from those who request their speaking services. These people, like myself, live, breath and eat queer activism. They live to inspire others. They live to show the compassion of love to others. They have not lost sight of what is truly important here: equality for all.
"[...snip...]
"So, I ask you, Lt. Choi: Own your truth. Hold yourself accountable for your actions. Look at what you preach and see if it matches your actions. Think about when you were my age, just going into West Point, and feeling alone next to your brothers and sisters. Remember Matthew. Remember Irene, C.d. and Michael. Remember me. Remember those 155,000 people who heard your words. After you do that, think about those in Lubbock, Texas, and other cities who couldn’t “afford” you and how you could have changed their lives."
Read the students letter in full at DallasVoice.com's reader blog...
Is $10,000 -- Choi's speaking fee -- too much? Some might say yes, and some might say no. After all, $10,000 is far, far less than many professional speakers charge (including folks who some might argue aren't anywhere near as inspirational or influential as Choi). How can Choi balance his needs to live (pay rent, health insurance, bills, save for retirement) with a commitment to reach out for the community? He has, indeed, already sacrificed so much.
(Just as an interesting side note: Texas Tech University is not listed in Campus Pride's Campus Climate Index. It'd be interesting to know exactly how LGBT-friendly the campus is, and if unfriendly staff or student leaders might be standing in the campus Gay-Straight Alliance's way when it comes to funding their programs and possible speakers.)
3 comments
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I agree with T.J. And to
I agree with T.J. And to answer the question about how tolerant our campus (Texas Tech) is, the administration is tolerant and allows the organization to exhist (which is more than some other schools in the Big 12). However, that being said, the community at Tech is less accepting and tolerant. We do live in one of the most conservative cities in Texas. Nonnie Ouch's words (however heartfelt they may be) have given the organization a bad rep and I look to see the administration to take notice and not like the bad publicity.
If you read the whole article
If you read the whole article she wasn't asking him to be impoverished nor was she asking him to speak for free. She was asking him to lower his price to help people in need.
Ouch
I get so tired of activists acting as though poverty makes them noble. This young woman likely lives off the generosity of a parent, or running up student loan bills to fund her activism, and then criticizes Choi for making a living. If you don't like him, don't hire him. Simple enough. And then jump down off your high horse.
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