If people say they are offended by something, I generally believe them. But that’s just me. I’m not surprised that The Daily Illini would publish the Danish cartoons, since the University continues to demonstrate incredible insensitivity to minority cultures by refusing to drop its offensive mascot.

If these were cartoons that offended a large number of Jews or Christians, I can’t imagine you would be encouraging people to “c’mon, take a look” by reprinting them. They are nothing more than racist, stereotypical propaganda. To reprint them just because you can (and call it some kind of exercise in free speech) is insensitive and rude. Worse, you expose the cartoons to a new audience, including some readers who may find them amusing and affirming, and that’s irresponsible and dangerous.

Jamie Burns

Springfield, IL