Note: Margaret’s without internet access until tomorrow so she said we could post some recent mail. Here’s the letter we chose followed by her response.
Letter:
November 10, 2003
Hello Ms. Cho- I’m not sure if you will ever read this or even take my thoughts into consideration, but I was just writing to say that I was very offended by the small portion of your presentation that I stayed for at the University of Texas at Dallas this past weekend. Obviously your thoughts were discussed widely by the students of the university in that they were extremely controversial and offensive to a few students. I did find parts of your presentation interesting and perhaps thought provoking, however I don’t think it was necessary that you used the language that you did.
While many students may have found it funny to hear you making remarks using this language, a few of us had to cover our ears and quietly leave. You may find it appalling to know that some audience members had no idea your presentation would be this provocative. I know a few students who didn’t even know what “pussy” meant. I am saddened that you have inserted that word into their vocabulary.
I understand that you may have a lot of anger built up inside about the world and what it has become. I even think it’s a good idea to point these things out, poke fun at them and have a good laugh. I mean you’re right; the Terminator is governor of California. But why add to the already vulgar world we live in? If you’re so much against all these bad things why not make fun of them in a clean way? To me, you have less credibility when you use such offensive language. Many of the students that will one day make a difference and perhaps create a “revolution” for the better are not the ones that cuss and use vulgar language. They are the ones who use little vulgar language, who are intelligent and more controlled than to express their emotions about things so irrationally. Cussing does little if anything for the way things are around us. It simply adds to the already dirty world. What about students that take action instead of simply speaking out? I think if you target this type of audience you will have more success in your lecturing. Rather than letting students have a good laugh, perhaps you will inspire some creative individuals to pursue a better generation for themselves and perhaps you and maybe even your children.
As a renowned speaker, I hope you will take my comments as constructive criticism. As for my opinions on vulgar language and why it is wrong, that is another long story. I’d be happy to receive any correspondence from you or your affiliates concerning matters in this letter. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
D____
Undergraduate Student
The University of Texas at Dallas
Response:
I am so fucking sorry that you don’t get what I am trying to accomplish but I was raised to ‘cuss’ and therefore it is as hard to break as any habit – like oh – I don’t know, fucking being a fucking judgmental fuck. I appreciate your fucking righteous attitude and thank you for being so fucking honest. I really think that it is weird that pussy is something that kids don’t know. What do they call the vagina then? Or would they rather pussy just didn’t exist? Thank you for your comments and please know that you were not in the least offensive to me. When I say ‘fuck’ it isn’t dirty, it is just a way to express some frustration at the fucking idiotic fuckface cumbucket pussy hating or pussy unaware assholes out there.
Best,
Fucking Margaret Fucking Cho