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EQUALITY=ALABAMA.org
High
School Student Writes Letter
to Oklahoma
Representative Sally Kern
From the Web, March
25, 2008
In addressing an Oklahoma Republican
organization, state Representative Sally Kern remarked that "the homosexual
agenda [was] destroying this nation" and that gays were "the biggest threat our
nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam." (LEARN
MORE) The letter below was written by a high school student named
Tucker whose mother was killed in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
Rep. Kern:
On April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City a terrorist detonated a bomb that killed my
mother and 167 others. 19 children died that day. Had I not had the
chicken pox that day, the body count would likely have included one more.
Over 800 other Oklahomans were injured that day, and many of those survivors
still suffer from permanent wounds.
That terrorist was neither a homosexual nor was he involved in Islam. He
was an extremist Christian. He made those who didn't live up to “his
beliefs” pay with their lives.
As you were not a resident of Oklahoma on that day, I can forgive you for so
carelessly choosing your words in saying that the homosexual agenda is worse
than terrorism. I can tell you from my own experience that it is not true.
I am sure there are many people in your voting district that laid loved ones to
rest after the terrorist attack on Oklahoma City. I doubt you'll find one
of them that agrees with you.
I was five-years-old when my mother died. I remember what a beautiful,
wise, and remarkable woman she was. I miss her. Your harsh words and
misguided beliefs brought me to tears because you told me that my mother's
killer was a better person than a group of people that are seeking safety and
tolerance for themselves.
As someone left motherless and victimized by terrorists, I say to you very
clearly that you are absolutely wrong.
You represent a district in Oklahoma City, yet you very coldly express a lack of
love, sympathy or understanding for what they've been through. You might
have chosen wiser words were you a real Oklahoman who was here to share our
suffering at that time. Your heart might have been a bit less cold had you
been around to see the small bodies of children being pulled out of rubble and
carried away by weeping firemen.
I've spent 12 years in Oklahoma public schools and never once have I had anyone
try to force a gay agenda on me. I have seen, however, many gay students
beat up. Never a day has gone by when I haven't heard the word "fag" slung
at someone. I've been called gay slurs many times, and they hurt. I
am not even gay, so I can just imagine how a real gay person feels. You
were a school teacher, and you have seen those things too. How could you
care so little about the suffering of some of your students?
I wish you could've met my mom. Maybe she could've guided you in how a
real Christian should be acting and speaking. I have not had a mother for
nearly 13 years now. I wonder if she might have been here to see me
graduate from high school this spring if there were fewer people like you around
and more people with more love and tolerance in their hearts.
You may just see me as a kid, but let me try to teach you something. The
old saying is sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt
you. Well, your words hurt me. Your words disrespected the memory of
my mom. Your words can cause others to pick up sticks and stones and hurt
others.
Sincerely, Tucker
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