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Opinion

Hateful speech has no place on campus

Collen Herndon
Guest Commentary 

The Web site of SoulWinners Ministries International, the anti-gay religious group that visited our campus on Wednesday and Thursday, states that "Daily, on college campuses, this country's future policy makers, parents, are injected with insidious ideologies, inoculating them to sodomy, same-sex marriage, fornication, abortion, under the demonic deception denoted ‘diversity' and ‘tolerance.'"

It's unfair to call founders Michael and Tamika Venyah anti-gay, however. Perhaps "anti-everyone" would be more appropriate.

Some students and faculty may remember that the Venyahs have been to UH before. Last year, I was involved in the protest staged by the Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual Alliance and supporters, and after witnessing Michael Venyah's "preaching," if one can call it that, I was relieved when he and his family finally left. When I heard he had returned on Wednesday, I was furious that he dared to show his face on our campus again.

Venyah doesn't preach the word of God as much as he shouts insults to students walking by and anyone who attempts to start a dialogue with him. Many curious spectators laughed at him uncomfortably, but most people who stopped to listen were offended by his never-ending sermon, which seemed to condemn everyone but himself. 

And, as if our Muslim students weren't offended enough by his condemnation of their holy scriptures, I witnessed Venyah calling a Muslim woman a whore for holding her boyfriend's hand, then damning her to hell because of her religious beliefs. 

Those comments were tame compared to many of the statements he made. I know firsthand, for I was often at the receiving end of his hateful name-calling.

I respect and applaud the University of Houston for having a free speech zone that is available to everyone, but a line must be drawn. Surely coming to our campus to film students without their permission while hurling offensive slurs at passersby (all in the name of Jesus, I might add) is unacceptable. If the Ku Klux Klan graced UH with its presence and yelled racial slurs at people, I doubt that they would be allowed to come back. 

Many students have demanded that SoulWinners not return to the UH campus, but, so far, the Venyahs aren't listening. I think it's time for our University to tell them they are not welcome and enforce it.

On another note, I was very proud of GLOBAL and the countless allies that helped us send our point home this year. With help from the quick-thinking Lynn Shepherd, of the Counseling and Psychological Services, we were able to turn the hate campaign into a fundraiser for pro-gay activities on campus. So thank you, Michael and Tamika, for all the money you helped raise for gay causes. We really appreciate it.

Herndon, a history junior, 
can be reached via dccampus@mail.uh.edu