“Insecure little girl” complains about sexism in the MN Daily

For those of you who read this brilliant post from April 17, you’ll know that my friend Ami has written two letters to the editor of the Minnesota Daily , the school newspaper of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.  Well, the problem column "Network" is at it again.  Today the column printed a letter calling Ami "some insecure little girl" and ranting about how she wants to take away the freedom of speech.  Here’s the quote:

About the offensive comments that have been floating around by some insecure little girl:  I don’t agree at all with what she has been spouting.  As Laharl* said, "…(Net) is therefore completely within Network’s rights of free speech, just as you have the rights to be offended…"  Well, this statement has a lot of truth, and I want to end on this:  Our Bill of Rights grants everyone in this country the freedom OF speech, not the freedom FROM speech.

*Laharl is the name or pseudonym of someone who wrote to Network the other day.

You can read the rest of the column here .  The writer calls her/himself "A Net Supporter."

The freedom of speech argument, which in itself is problematic, though I do not think it is an invalid point in a discussion of what should or should not be published in an academic newspaper.  I get the sense, however, that this writer is using the argument to shut Ami and those of us who support her down, rather than launch a discussion on the Minnesota Daily and the freedom of speech.  What I find more troubling, though, is the fact that the Daily prints such snide, offensive comments that are meant to insult Ami.  An insult can go a long way toward shutting someone down.  In addition, it is just plain mean!  What is the responsibility of a school newspaper like the Minnesota Daily to publish or not publish such comments?  Personally, I think it is abhorrent and they should publish neither these petty insults nor sexist comments. 

if you are interested in Network and Ami’s exchange, here is a chronological list of Network’s columns and Ami’s letters. 

1st Network column:  04/07/2009

Ami’s Response:  04/12/2009

2nd Network column:  04/13/2009

Ami’s response: 04/14/2009

3rd Network response:  04/15/2009

4th Network repsone:  04/16/2009

5th Network response:  04/19/2009