I am taking this from Leah's UJournal because it needs to be repeated.  I, too, have had quite the range of emotions today, and it's only 5:00.  That's what happens when you get up at 7:30.  Read on for some interesting info, and Leah, I hope you don't mind.

"There was more vandalism on campus this weekend. This time it was anti-gay instead of anti-jew. The person(s) who did it wrote on the displays outside of Alice Austin. They were set up for The Laramie Project. It makes me so angry. I just want to understand why people act like this. What goes on in the heads of people who deface property, hard work, and personal liberty. It makes me sad to think of someone feeling the only way to stop something is to perpetuate the problem. Did that really do anything? Did writing on the Laramie board make the "problem" go away? Did it make you feel better? What, exactly, were you planning to accomplish?

I was walking from the Union and overheard a conversation between three girls who were walking by banners placed outside in response to the vandalism. One started the conversation by asking why the banners were out there, and another responded by telling her what happened. The third said about the banners: "what a good idea". They then started talking about how awful it was that the vandalism happened in the first place, and that they were glad people were doing something. Then, I heard the first girl say something that made me want to hug her. She started talking about her words. She said that she used to think words like "gay" or "fag" were great comebacks, but when she came to school, she realized that those words hurt. Her friends joined in and one started sharing a story about some brother/boyfriend/friend that she used to say that to. The third girl said she hadn't realized how hurtful the words could be.

The girls were walking behind me, and I was really intent on listening. I realize that the people I surround myself with are very open and accepting individuals. Recently, I have seen both the amazing positives and sad negatives surrounding the issues of diversity. One part of the Week of One we never accounted for was that if people talk, we aren't always going to hear what we like. Those who may not be as open to diversity will be stirred to speak in addition to those who want to make a difference. Still, it's the price we pay to get people talking."