Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

An open letter to ‘The Tab UMass’

(Collegian file photo)
(Collegian file photo)

Dear “The Tab UMass,”

I’d like to preface this by acknowledging that you have asked me to write a “counter-article” in response to the homophobic content your website published on Feb. 1. If your website ever thought that I would ever use my own academic and experiential labor to correct your oppressive writer base, then you are more sadly mistaken than I thought possible. Want me to write for The Tab? Pay me.

But I digress. Your writer Mary Margaret Hogan published an article titled “I’m a straight girl and I only date gay men,” in which she outlines the ways she “has always felt a deep connection with gay men” and how she “felt as though they gravitate towards (her)” as they share the essentialized interests of “musicals, drag queens’ contour skills, Barbra Streisand, and, well, men.” She claims to be well aware that they “aren’t just being courteous in order to get into (her) pants” and that they have “always been a sufficient replacement for a boyfriend.” She then presents the gay men in her life as a “fix-all” for the hookup culture that “some of us are done with.”

The response to this article by the University of Massachusetts LGBT+ community was volatile; multiple queer folks (including myself) expressed their discomfort in a myriad of ways on social media. Interestingly enough, the only people who seemed to agree with Hogan’s perspective were the gay men mentioned in the article and various straight women in the comment section. If this didn’t immediately signal doubt in your article’s credibility, then I will clear it up for you.

Your straight-girl writer isn’t “dating” gay men; she is constructing them in a “subject-other” relationship. They are objects “gravitating towards (her).” They are men who are “replacements” for the straight men who have wronged her. They are men who will nurture these wrongs, who will not be individual people – but rather men turned into machines of emotional compassion and cultural capital. They are just that: “they.” “They” are all the same. “They” are all compelled to go to Starbucks with her, to watch her favorite musical with her, to (platonically?) kiss her in her Instagram pictures. “They” are all not men, too. “They” have all divested from toxic masculinity and are incapable of perpetuating misogynistic structures. They are props, not at all people, and only exist in relation to their straight counterparts.

You then published an article written by Caroline Radigan and Caroline Phinney titled “The Tab is an Open Forum” with the subtitle: “Trigger warning: Someone will always be more politically correct than you,” in which you included screenshots of comments on the previous article and accused queer students of “stifling discussion” on LGBT+ issues. In this long-winded and paternalizing justification of your material, you wrote, “Rather than acting as if we are experts on certain subjects – such as racism, sexism, transphobia and any other forms of prejudice – we could recognize that learning from one another through conversations can be informative without developing into defensive or condescending attitudes.” I would like to make one thing very clear: oppressed peoples are experts in their own oppression. We decide what is offensive to us – not Mary Margaret Hogan, not Caroline Radigan, not Caroline Phinney, nor any of your ignorant and privileged writer and editor base. You are right, we are defensive, and you can check your respectability politics at the door.

You wrote “being informed is a privilege … if you have been lucky in your life to take certain classes and talk with certain people … then you have been lucky enough” but have you ever heard of Google.com? Are your writers incapable of “taking certain classes” and becoming knowledgeable of what oppressed peoples may find offensive? We are not obligated to explain anything to you. You and your writers are responsible, both journalistically and morally, for educating yourselves and themselves and not publishing homophobic content.

Finally, you wrote, “Some will be offended, while others will *snap* in agreement. That’s journalism. The point is that we are offering you an open forum in which you can speak your mind.” I’m not a journalist. I’m a queer student just trying to exist. I’m a queer student and I am “frustrated” and I will call you out for deliberately remaining ignorant of the oppression you consistently reify. Do you expect me to thank you for “offering (me) an open forum” where I can defend myself from homophobic assault? I will not and will never write for your “open forum.” Instead, I will loudly resist your patronistic violence.

To The Tab, its UMass editors and its student writers: I get it. You published an article that made queer people uncomfortable, and instead of educating yourself and fixing your mistake you pathologized queer people as the problem. You called queer people “too PC” rather than being reflective, critical and corrective. You messed up, and your privilege was too overwhelming to navigate and divert. Next time: read some books, listen to your queer reader-base and certainly do not command their labor.

Sincerely,

Nicholas Ozorowski

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Comments (24)

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  • E

    EmmiMar 2, 2016 at 9:30 pm

    Thank youuuuuuuu

    Reply
  • T

    The_ChairmanMar 2, 2016 at 1:52 pm

    @David Hunt 1990 What’s your obsession with injecting ISIS into this debate? It has nothing to do with anything.

    Reply
    • D

      David Hunt 1990Mar 2, 2016 at 3:19 pm

      @The_Chairman – my point is simple. You talk about discrimination and a hostile environment. Get a grip and put it in perspective.

      Reply
  • D

    David Hunt 1990Mar 1, 2016 at 10:46 am

    If you don’t like The Tab – and I have no opinion one way or the other, don’t read it, don’t care – then don’t buy it. Exercise your right to use your power of the purse against it, and your ability to use a soap box to argue against it, and tell your friends you don’t buy it and why…

    And then let the marketplace of ideas work. Just don’t cry if it doesn’t work in your favor.

    Again, you think the Tab is hostile? Try being gay in, say, Iran. Or in parts of the world where ISIS has, or is gaining, sway. That SHOULD put your woes into perspective.

    Reply
  • A

    AdamMar 1, 2016 at 1:38 am

    Queer realist, I totally agree. Thank you for bringing up exactly what I was thinking.

    Reply
  • Z

    Zac BearsFeb 29, 2016 at 11:00 pm

    I’d like to echo apieceofcheese

    Reply
  • A

    apieceofcheeseFeb 29, 2016 at 10:30 pm

    Petition to make the Tab disappear 2016. Let’s take it out with the trash.

    Reply
  • S

    Soren HoughFeb 29, 2016 at 10:25 pm

    Proud to see this letter appear in The Daily Collegian. Salient, well-written, biting and on-point. Well done.

    Reply
  • O

    okFeb 29, 2016 at 9:44 pm

    How did such a misinformed article perpetuating the same tired, offensive caricature of gay men get published in the first place? To say the Tab used it as a contrast piece or that it was a “satire of her own life” gives them far too much credit. The Tab does not, and should not, only publish pieces that fit a narrow political ideology. However, for the sake of the sites readers and its reputation, the editors need to set some standards for content that is just Bad.

    Reply
  • C

    Caitlin McCarthyFeb 29, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    Jonah Chaban,

    I think you missed a lot of what I wrote, or misinterpreted it. First of all, I DO understand how and why offense could be taken to the original article. So I am in no way refusing to accept the response the publication generated. Secondly, I don’t know what insensitivity I’m supposed to be apologizing for; I hadn’t even read the original two aritcles until today so I was not a part of the original discussion. Also, as I have now said multiple times, I completely understand the offense taken! What I don’t understand is why the offense cannot turn into CONTRUCTIVE discussion. Finally, I was not mocking the mention of a counter piece- I legitimately believe this letter would be a constructive counter piece were it to be submitted to the Tab.

    I’m not defending myself from anything; I’m not even affiliated with The Tab. I would love it if people could learn from their mistakes, I was merely saying the learning could be done via informative comments by those who have a different opinion than the one published.

    But yeah, that’s all unreal

    Reply
  • A

    A. Queer RealistFeb 29, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    Honestly, this article makes queer people uncomfortable. It makes queer people seem unapproachable. It makes non-queer people afraid to ask questions, and it makes them unable to educate themselves. Don’t just tell people to “Google it”. Instead of being a miserable complainer, making everyone (gay, straight, bisexual, trans, whoever!) around you walk on egg shells, why don’t you try to rationalize with people in a positive way that actually progresses the cause of creating a more equal and inclusive society for queer people. You seem like a person who thinks they know more than everyone else, so why don’t you share your vast knowledge with the public!?
    An overly PC society STIFLES conversation and progress. Oh, and you want to complain about privilege? You are a white man who attends a prestigious university in one of the wealthiest states in the wealthiest county on the entire planet. Not to mention that UMass – Amherst is continuously considered one of the most accepting and accommodating colleges for queer students in the United States.
    Like David Hunt said above, there are LGBT people around the world who are put to death for being who they are, and here you are, a keyboard-warrior, typing away a bitter and rude response to a piece of writing that hurt your feelings. BOO-HOO! Please refrain from “speaking for” the LGBT community in the future, because my voice is one of many that will never share your words.

    Sincerely,

    A. Queer Realist

    Reply
  • J

    Jonah ChabanFeb 29, 2016 at 2:13 pm

    It’s unreal how, even after reading this article, people like Caitlin McCarthy STILL refuse to accept the response these publications have generated, still refuse to apologize for their insensitivity, and moreover mock the mention of a counterpiece. Instead of defending yourself, take initiative and learn from your mistakes.

    Reply
  • C

    CharlotteFeb 29, 2016 at 2:00 pm

    I would love to believe that the Tab, much in the way the NYT publishes op-ed pieces of misinformed reactionary conservatives in spite of their liberal lean, was simply showcasing a (frighteningly) uneducated faction of the student body to simply act as a contrast piece, and “flesh out” their palate of work. The reader base is not wrong, the article is shockingly horrible and cheap. Let’s not pretend the Tab didn’t know this. They pulled a Donald Trump: exposure through controversy and shock factor.

    Even if this was not the case, mistakes are made, articles are published every day that shouldn’t be, people get offended. How the mistake is handled is where our judgement should lie, not on the mistake itself.

    So it’s truly unfortunate that the Tab stepped into this situation in the way that they did. They could have abstained, and that would have been better. I would have rather them stand stony on the issue, act as the objective open forum they claim to be. Instead, they come after the reader base that deeply opposes the article’s content. Which, by the way, should be EVERYONE that reads this article.

    Journalistic integrity was thrown to the wayside the minute they claimed that spreading misinformation is “free speech.” This article is not just a personal narrative, it’s not just about hookup culture (and I could go on about how horrible her opinions were stated on that topic too), it’s the blatant seeding of hideous stereotypes and misinformation as truth.

    Reply
  • A

    ABFeb 29, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    Thank you thank you thank you

    Reply
  • B

    Brian AFeb 29, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    I couldn’t support this op-ed more if I tried. The objectification of members of the LGBT+ community has to stop. Nothing feels worse than being singled out for your sexuality, even when a person has good intentions. Whether it be through calling someone your “gay best friend” or your “gay boyfriend,” it’s demeaning and offensive. Thank you so much for writing this. It speaks volumes to the continued oppression the LGBT+ community still faces (on a college campus in Massachusetts, nevertheless) and the lack of integrity and respect the Tab at UMass has not only towards queer people, but towards a variety of communities on campus.

    Reply
  • B

    Brennan StefanikFeb 29, 2016 at 11:35 am

    I’m just a little confused. The original article you mentioned contained autobiographical information, and was not generalizing gay men. If anything, it was a satire of her own life. I feel as though the whole point of her article was to illustrate the evils of hookup culture, not bash homosexuals. It’s also no doubt that the comments she received were very hateful and seemed to be attacking her. Whoever did comment such things just caused even more hate in this world, and correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought we were all trying to rid this world of hatred. I guess I’m just a little confused as to why you feel as though her article was such a threat to the LGBT community that you went out of your way to criticize her work and then write an article opposing it. You don’t know this author, or how her article actually related to her life. So stop the hate.

    Reply
  • C

    Caitlin McCarthyFeb 29, 2016 at 11:27 am

    While oppressed people are certainly experts in their own oppression, anyone that views the disgruntled comments of oppressed people are experts in how those comments come off. We cannot tell you not to feel oppressed, and in this situation it really doesn’t seem like anything of the sort was said. What we can tell you is that expressing your frustration with comments like “you suck” accomplishes nothing. The Carolines were absolutely right when they said our current PC-obsessed culture stifles discussion. It is, of course, never wrong for an individual or a community to be offended. And never wrong for that individual or community to be defensive. But turn your defense into discussion- explain why the original article is offensive in a way that doesn’t isolate people who just don’t get it. Because, believe it or not, there are people who just don’t get it. And while they certainly could go “google” it, perhaps the information would mean a lot more coming from peers/fellow members of the student body.

    I don’t disagree with this letter as a response to what you interpreted the Carolines’ article as. However, I interpreted their article in a much different, and less patronizing way than you did, and based on that I have to think that this letter would have been much better suited as, well, a counter piece.

    Reply
  • E

    Emma B.Feb 29, 2016 at 11:15 am

    This anti PC ness is not hip or radical or revolutionary. It is just plain STUPID.

    Reply
  • E

    Emma B.Feb 29, 2016 at 11:13 am

    Nicholas Ozorowski, thanks a million. You’re a great writer, and it is apparently sadly necessary to say that not all gay men like or “gravitate towards” this ridiculous woman and her generalization and objectification of gay men.
    It’s so hard to deal with this casual dehumanization, and it is bull; there is nothing intellectual, interesting, or complimentary in Mary Hogan’s article. “Charm and a movie?” Well, maybe she can stick to movies.

    Reply
  • S

    StephanieFeb 29, 2016 at 10:53 am

    “I would like to make one thing very clear: oppressed peoples are experts in their own oppression. We decide what is offensive to us – not Mary Margaret Hogan, not Caroline Radigan, not Caroline Phinney, nor any of your ignorant and privileged writer and editor base. You are right, we are defensive, and you can check your respectability politics at the door.”

    ALL THE APPLAUSE. And let it be known that no matter how much The Tab tries to claim they are, they are not a journalism publication. Journalism does not do that. It does provide an open forum; it does not post those gross and offensive works.

    Reply
  • A

    An angry readerFeb 29, 2016 at 10:46 am

    I stand with this. This is not the first time the Tab as published something utterly offensive or idiotic. They need to train their writers and filter their content. I get their pieces are supposed to be raw, but have a little tact. Use profanity as an effect not a filler or fascade…. CHECK YOUR GRAMMAR SPELLING AND FACTS BEFORE YOU PUBLISH, and realize PLEASE that it’s not necessary to make these sweeping generalized comments or belligerent insults against the UMass community. The editors of the Tab need to grow up and see the impact of what their putting out and have some professionalism……… Like any at all, whatsoever….

    Reply
  • S

    Stephanie HigginsFeb 29, 2016 at 10:41 am

    I like the cut of ya jib, Nick

    Reply
  • D

    David Hunt 1990Feb 29, 2016 at 10:00 am

    Meanwhile, ISIS and other Sharia-compliant organizations throw gays off buildings or hang them from cranes.

    Reply
  • B

    Beth HagelFeb 29, 2016 at 8:44 am

    Nick,

    Never prouder. You get it. Wish more of us did.

    Reply