An open letter to Liam Smith
February 18, 2021
I disagree with you. I, along with many others, am dedicating my career to undoing the harm of systemic racism. I believe that it is real. Nevertheless, I am intrigued by your fascination with individualism. You seem to be interested in personal liberty and consequences, therefore, I am choosing to call you out as an individual. Furthermore, since one of us lives in reality while the other lives in conspiracy (we don’t have to debate who lies where right now), I believe our only common ground can be through philosophy.
I think we can agree that people are capable of hurting one another on a personal, individual level. If I were to push someone to the ground, I could break their arm. If I were to emotionally abuse another person, they would have to recover from trauma. If I were to insult and verbally attack another person’s identity, my words would have weight.
Under the assumption that we both agree with these premises, I have a question for you:
Why are you choosing to hurt people?
You KNOW that people will react out of anger because of your words. You have written several articles about how “racial tension seems to be more prevalent.” You KNOW that people will feel hurt. You have stated that “division has seeped into the foundation of our relationships.” You KNOW that your actions will leave minorities triggered.
If you understand the power that the individual holds, why are you harnessing it to harm those around you?
This is not about me, but I am beyond confident that I am not the only person whose entire day was derailed because of your choice to regurgitate the ideologies of right-wing extremists.
I, as an individual, am hurt by your actions. How are you, as an individual, going to respond?
If you truly believe that it is “time for America to heal,” I urge you to engage with these questions.
Sincerely,
Laur Lugos
A fellow POC • Feb 24, 2021 at 6:21 pm
Yes this! How can someone who doesn’t have to experience it first hand deny its existence ??
Damson • Feb 23, 2021 at 6:58 am
This really is the worst kind of response to someone making policy arguments with costs and benefits. Makes progressives look unable to engage in a public sphere where actual conversations are happening. Unfortunate, but not unexpected from an SPU student.
Disappointed • Feb 23, 2021 at 12:13 am
What a malicious use of this platform. Nothing here but condescension and strawman arguments. No one is harmed by different opinions any more than they allow themselves to be. And if words are harmful, and you really believe that, why turn around and use yours to target someone? Because you have no real principles you stand on. This is shameful and there ARE people that see this for what it is. Using the mob to beat dissenters into “unity” sure is a twisted understanding of the word. Instead of assuming you live in reality and anyone who disagrees with you is evil and/or hurting people, try having an open and tolerant mind.
Empathy • Feb 19, 2021 at 4:16 pm
Laur,
Racism is a very real and present evil that requires all of us to come together to fight it, not to tear each other down because we disagree on the exact scale to which it is present in our society.
Instead of labeling someone who disagrees with you and attempting to undermine them, I encourage you to treat every individual as a human being with empathy. Until we start with this, we will never cure the hatred and discrimination in this country.
While I disagree with Liam on many things, we have common ground on a desire for equality and justice. Perhaps if you reach out to him personally, you will find you two are not as different as you believe.
Attacking someone’s opinion through a school newspaper is a poor and ineffective means of making any change or justice for our marginalized communities.
Anon • Feb 19, 2021 at 3:54 pm
Sometimes truth hurts, yet that is controllable. Laur, you can control whether someone’s opinions effect you that deeply. If you were to investigate Liam’s sources and his facts, many if not all of his claims are true. Even though we live in a world where feelings are valued over facts, true change comes from listening to the other person, trying to understand their sources and beliefs, and considering that maybe you are wrong or maybe the topic is more complicated than just what you believe or understand to be true.
Something that I consider when I disagree with someone or find an opinion to be off putting is the Wesleyan quadrilateral. Personally, this helps me to match up a difference from four aspects and see if I might be relying on say experience too much. I encourage you to study this and try it out if you have not already.
Kdaddyhandycock • Feb 18, 2021 at 11:49 pm
A diversity of opinions are good for the continued growth of communities. Shutting down an opinion because it makes you sad is childlike thought. instead challenge him by proving what he preaches as facts to actually be falsehoods. The man believes in facts and causation, so if you think he is wrong then beat him with logical reasoning. No more sorry sad sappy shit.
Oop • Feb 18, 2021 at 9:29 pm
I find it interesting that people were quick to call Liam “upper middle-class” (as if that’s an insult) for owning a pair of Yeezy’s when Laur lives in a two million dollar house in one of the richest areas of California.
This wouldn’t matter if 1) people were consistent in their hatred of those who are wealthier than them, and 2) if Laur didn’t claim the system is keeping her down due to her skin color. But unfortunately you’re all hypocrites.
José • Feb 18, 2021 at 8:41 pm
Such a wonderfully written letter. It’s time we start holding harmful rhetoric on campus accountable.
Heinrich • Feb 18, 2021 at 8:32 pm
he wants to be oppressed so bad.
Hannah • Feb 18, 2021 at 6:50 pm
Thank you for saying what many needed to say and hear in response to someone that is spewing hate.
God • Feb 18, 2021 at 6:09 pm
Facts.
Mufat Man • Feb 18, 2021 at 2:16 pm
Thank you Laur for speaking on behalf of all POC. As a Sugondese person from Garglon, Democratic Republic of the Congo I found this inspiring.
Alonso Ramirez Sanchez • Feb 18, 2021 at 12:41 pm
Very well done. Thank you for using your voice to elevate mine and so many others.
Disappointed but not surprised • Feb 18, 2021 at 12:27 pm
Laur, I think it’s time you stop pretending that you’re interested in hearing different perspectives. I tried to give you the benefit of the doubt, but all I’ve seen from you is attempts to shut down those you disagree with.
If Liam thinks that systematic racism doesn’t exist, then he also thinks that those who push those ideas are creating conflict. You think he’s the one creating conflict by saying it doesn’t exist. BOTH OF YOU WANT LESS RACIAL DIVISION, but you are the one who fails to realize this. Consider that Liam isn’t “trying to hurt people” by disagreeing with you on whether racism is systemic. Even if you disagree with him, which you obviously do, you should be able to understand that someone who thinks it doesn’t exist would think that promoting it will only cause more issues. Take a hard look at why you can’t see opinions different from your own without having your “entire day ruined,” and try to actually see things from other people’s points of view (without making yourself a victim).
Do better. Or at least stop pretending that you care about everyone’s voice being heard.
619 • May 16, 2022 at 3:26 pm
My thoughts exactly