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SANTA ANA COLLEGE el Don/eldonnews.org • MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2017
STAFF EDITORIAL
OPINION
Gay LeFou
Before its theatrical release, Beauty
and the Beast is receiving backlash for
introducing Disney’s first openly gay
character, LeFou, Gaston’s sidekick.
Russia has decided to put an adult-on-
ly rating on the film and additionally,
Franklin Graham, a well-known evan-
gelist, has publicly told Christians to
boycott Disney for trying to push the
“LGBT agenda” onto children. I person-
ally blame director Bill Condon for the
negativity thrown at the film. Condon,
in an interview with Attitude Maga-
zine, boasted about how he had in-
cluded a gay character into the movie.
Most Beauty and the Beast fans already
R. Nicanor Santana / el Don
RISE UP AND RAISE YOUR VOICE
Great changes in our
world are happening
now, and those who
aren’t participating in
democracy are
missing out
P
esident Donald J. Trump’s lead-
ership has brought fear and
division into our community.
At times it feels like America is
losing momentum and much of
what we have gained is in peril. Arcane
and ill-conceived policies like the travel
ban and deportation laws that target
specific races, is causing citizens to
speak out and resist a return to the days
of Jim Crow.
Those affected or just plain angry
about his policies are using their collec-
tive voices in protest.
With Trump’s election, diverse groups
of people are coming together to stand
up for what they believe. Communities,
regardless of their race, religion or eco-
nomic status, are fighting to be heard.
At Santa Ana College we are holding
public immigration forums to educate
students on their rights and helping
them access specific resources within
their neighborhoods.
For the first time in years, people
across the globe are marching and rais-
ing their collective voices in protest of
civil and human rights abuses.
Many are using these protest marches
to unify generations.
The women’s march in Santa Ana was
one of the largest in
Orange County history. Now, more
than ever, in this digital world, it is im-
portant to show up. Posting an opinion
online is not protesting.
Nothing is more empowering than
being physically present and standing
up for your rights and your beliefs.
If you choose to sit it out, you will
never fully understand what those mak-
ing history are defending.
Great changes in your world are
happening now, and those who aren’t
participating in democracy are missing
out.
Soon our generation will be in power.
If we dare to take hold of this moment
and defend ourselves against the things
that may divide us we can accomplish
great things. Now, more than ever, your
voice matters. Use it.
considered Lefou to be gay due to his
profound admiration for Gaston. But,
Condon blatantly saying it was clearly
asking for trouble. As for the offended
fans, I don’t think the attacks on the
movie are worth acknowledging. If
parents don’t feel comfortable with
their kids being shown one gay charac-
ter in a movie, then they can refuse to
see it. People are entitled to their own
opinion and are allowed to disagree
with Disney’s live-action adaptation.
—Joshua Reinis