Mercury reader Matthew writes:

Look, I know I'm the only one, but can we please quit using the words "geek" or "nerd" to describe people (Vol. 12 # 10- "Geek Week"). Not only is it insulting and alienating, but it's also unfair. Why don't you describe the gay pride celebration as "fag week" or Juneteenth as "darkie days"?

My response after the jump.

•••••

Hey Matthew,
"Geeks" are neither a race, nor a class that's routinely a victim of institutional discrimination. Instead of worrying about being called a geek, you should be thinking about what kind of person would compare the plight of being a nerd to that of being dragged behind a car because of their sexuality, or suffering roughly 160 years of slavery.
Sincerely,
Wm. Steven Humphrey
Editor
Portland Mercury