The play “Passion of the Musical” scared me. What I believe is more important is that now my perception has changed for many things: the WSU community, campus climate, the American social climate, and what people generally care about or hold morally and spiritually sacred. I am haunted by the play for not only its inhumane, sacriligious, homophobic and racist script, but the division it brought to light between student communities. Sitting in the theater on the verge of tears, I looked to the right and saw the predominately white play supporters laughing. They were amused by my pain and cursed me for being offended. What was even more troublesome was hearing their forced laughter to songs like “Jesus Fuck Me” (the words were changed from the National Anthem), “I Will Do Everything for God But I Won’t Act Black,” “I Hate Jews,” and “All Gay People Will Die of AIDS.” I quickly noticed that these were not people laughing because they genuinely found the material funny, but they were only laughing to be in opposition with the protesters. Sitting in that theater, I realized that I was sitting in the colored section of a theater in the 1960s. My jaw dropped as I thought about how much times have not changed, how much this event was precisely like those we see on movies and old documentaries. It was truly a frightening and eye-opening experience. It needs to be made clear and explicit that the protest of the play was not a “minority” student protest; it was a protest that involved students, faculty, and administration across class, racial, sexual orientation, religious and age lines. The protesters were not protesting one part of the play, or because it dealt with one minority or marginalized group, but the fact that it attacked humankind. It was a sick and destructive play that demonized, dehumanized, degraded and insulted all people. The protesters simply were there to ensure that this type of thing will never be accepted at this university. I am mad that this type of show can be put on at a place of higher education. I am disturbed that after the protest, the only thing that the administration has done is start an investigation to see how protesters denied the playwright his freedom of speech, instead of looking into how they can prevent this type of situation from happening again. I am troubled that this country has not taken bigger strides in its social climate. Do human beings share a common love for one another? Is it the nature of an American to hate? How can a society that is so embedded with capitalism, patriarchy, categorization, individualism and elitist ideologies call itself a haven for freedom? Today my heart is heavy, my feelings are hurt and my confidence in America is dwindling. But tomorrow my heart will release burdens, my feelings will calm down and I will continue my push for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for every person in this world. Will you be there to help me?