Pitts' effective argument

In his column “Boo! A scary word for bigots,” Leonard Pitts Jr. uses a college crowd’s reaction during presidential candidate Rick Santorum’s visit to expose how out of touch the nominee is with the youth of America and the progress they represent.

Pitts writes in a tone of voice that is friendly yet knowledgeable. He writes on behalf of Americans under 30 years old but does not pretend to walk among them. He writes for progress and against the social conservative views that Santorum represent.

Pitts uses quotes from Santorum’s appearance where when questioned about his position on gay marriage he expressed its legalization would lead to even worse things like the legalization of polygamy, a scare tactic often used by opponents of marriage equality. However, Pitts points out that polygamy is a choice, while being gay is a biological determinant and goes on to say Santorum acted surprised that the issue would be brought up among a college-aged crowd.

Historical patterns, Pitts argues, can be seen in social conservatism. Pitts reminds readers of past discrimination toward Jews and African Americans by social conservatives in our country. He reminds us that each time change comes and freedoms are won. The world keeps turning despite social conservatives efforts to stop us in our tracks.

Additionally, Pitt cites a survey by the Pew Research Center that shows support for gay marriage is on the rise among people under age 32, with 53 percent in favor and only 39 percent opposed. This contradicts what Pitt calls Santorum’s idea that children will grow out of their foolishness, an idea Meghan McCain, blogger and daughter of former Republican presidential nominee John McCain, called “gross” and “dated.”

To end the column Pitts brings up other dated ideas like women not working outside of their homes and Jews being banned from country clubs and claims the idea of same sex couples not being able to marry will one day be a dated idea too.

Overall, I think Pitts was persuasive without being pushy. He described a social trend of change that has happened throughout history, a trend that Pitts says will inevitably happen again in the case of marriage equality.