Graphic By: Jen Hight

Insert these lines for me and read them out-loud. (Black or White, Gay or Straight, Christian, Muslim or Jewish) people hold these truths to be self-evident, that all (Black or White, Gay or Straight, Christian, Muslim or Jewish) people are created equal, and (Black or White, Gay or Straight, Christian, Muslim or Jewish) people are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness for (Black or White, Gay or Straight, Christian, Muslim or Jewish) people.

Does that make the slightest bit of sense to you? Some people call me crazy. They call me a zealot, racist, sexist, bigot, or homophobe. But something tells me that they just don’t quite get it. Our founders, God, our modern leaders, and most of our peers don’t insert those additions to the Declaration of our Independence.

We are all Americans. We are all God’s children. So all of this begs the question: if no one else cares about our divisions, why should we? We are all born, and we all die. On that stone at the head of our grave, I have never read, "Here Lies John or Susie Smith, a Black or White or Gay or Straight or Christian or Muslim or Jewish person." Something tells me you haven't, either.

There are things that divide people every day. We don’t agree about politics. We don’t agree about the correct way to live our lives. We don't agree about morality. On and on, we spend our lives taking one simple thing for granted: freedom.

What do President George W. Bush, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Senator John Kerry, and every other American here and abroad share? We share the right to speak out, disagree, say unpopular things, protest, scream, yell, join groups, run for office, write Whim articles, and most every other form of expression one could want.

There are a handful of people who really, truly, seriously believe that I am a divisive, terrible person. The only answer I have for that is that I am proud of who I am and what, below the surface I stand for. If you can look for that truth, past your anger, it may shock you how similar we are. From the moment I started writing for Whim and The Tartan I made one promise to myself. I will not sacrifice the truth to keep the peace and I will not ever do anything that is not true to my character.

Reading Whim or our sister media publications may confuse people. Does Brian hate people like Zoe Brown, Rick Snee, Christian Keesee, angry letter writers, Steve Tollin, SPECTRUM, BAP, or Young Democrats? They always seem to disagree. Brian is even, at times, really tough on them. Well folks, here is the answer: NO. There are a few important things that we all share. These things overshadow everything else. We all love freedom. We respect each other and the right to vehemently disagree. We want what is best for our country. We respect each other. Something I am hoping to add to this list is understanding.

I have a history of being a candid and sometimes painfully honest person, so here is a dose. If I don't like you, I will most likely tell you. If I disagree with you, I'll probably tell you that too. But, never, and I mean never, will you find me degrading, demeaning, or disrespecting another person. Life is too short to focus on hate. Laughter is too healthy to give up. Disagreement and freedom are too sacred to forsake. I am asking for your help; this time, will you stand beside me?