Upsilon and their leaked thread

Last week, news broke out over leaked conversations between members of one of the fraternities of my alma mater which we just call Upsilon. Now, I haven't read much of the threads but I did see enough to make me vomit a bit and taste the vomit then swallow and vomit a bit again. Sorry for the imagery but it was really that bad.

The part where these Upsolinians were in the wrong is undisputed. People called them out for being misogynistic. On that point, I totally agree with the reactions online. But something about the whole affair went unsettled with me.

I opened my FB messenger and did some reflection. Have I ever insulted anyone or any group of people on any of my FB threads? Now, I don't think I have as I generally just use messenger to follow group conversations. But I do see some insensitive things being said here and there. Nothing close to the misogyny displayed by some Upsilonians, but enough to give myself pause.

Everyone is talking about how abhorent the Upsilonians behaved yet really all we have are words being said in private. This isn't a case of Upsilonians going out and actually mistreating women on campus. I'm not one to make generalizations but at the very least, the Upsilonians I do know are very good people who respect women and homosexuals. At most, what we have is a relatively small group of Upsilonians who are guilty of viewing women as objects and a large group of Upsilonians who are simply trying to either cover up the situation or deny it.

What I find more disturbing is that no one I've seen online seems concerned about the Upsilonian's rights. The fact that their private conversation was hacked and posted online is a clear cut violation of their right to privacy and their right of expression. They may not be expressing good ideas but I stand by the idea that we should protect their rights to express whatever wrong ideas they have. It's actually right in our very own constitution - right there in the bill of rights.

Why I find this so disturbing is that the silence is deafening and it seems to me no one is willing to speak out in defense of Upsilon because of the fear of being branded as a misogynist or a homophobe. Let's get one thing clear - we as a people should always fight for everyone's rights (the real ones, not the made up ones - this gives me an idea for another post) regardless if they're in the right or in the wrong. Remember, if the law cannot protect the worst of us, what hope is there for the rest of us?

I hate that it's come to this where it's okay to break the law so long as something good will come out of it. Two wrongs DO NOT make a right and if we start thinking that way, I fear for you and whoever disagrees with you.