2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumFordham University President Scorns College Republicans For Booking Ann Coulter’s ‘Repugnant’ Speech
Mediaite has obtained a letter from Fordham University President Joseph M. McShane to the student body in which he strongly rebuked the schools College Republicans group for booking conservative columnist Ann Coulter to speak on campus later this month, ultimately concluding that despite her repugnant speech the university will allow the event so as to uphold the universitys tradition of fearless and robust engagement.
The College Republicans, a student club at Fordham University, has invited Ann Coulter to speak on campus on November 29, the letter began, adding that despite her views being unpopular, the university will not block her from speaking. However, he wrote, to say that I am disappointed with the judgment and maturity of the College Republicans, however, would be a tremendous understatement. There are many people who can speak to the conservative point of view with integrity and conviction, but Ms. Coulter is not among them. Her rhetoric is often hateful and needlessly provocativemore heat than lightand her message is aimed squarely at the darker side of our nature.
The letter continued:
As members of a Jesuit institution, we are called upon to deal with one another with civility and compassion, not to sling mud and impugn the motives of those with whom we disagree or to engage in racial or social stereotyping. [...] Hate speech, name-calling, and incivility are completely at odds with the Jesuit ideals that have always guided and animated Fordham.
Still, to prohibit Ms. Coulter from speaking at Fordham would be to do greater violence to the academy, and to the Jesuit tradition of fearless and robust engagement. Preventing Ms. Coulter from speaking would counter one wrong with another. The old saw goes that the answer to bad speech is more speech. This is especially true at a university, and I fully expect our students, faculty, alumni, parents, and staff to voice their opposition, civilly and respectfully, and forcefully.
http://www.mediaite.com/online/fordham-university-president-scorns-college-republicans-for-booking-ann-coulters-repugnant-speech/
valerief
(53,235 posts)struggle4progress
(118,320 posts)... As members of a Jesuit institution, we are called upon to deal with one another with civility and compassion, not to sling mud and impugn the motives of those with whom we disagree or to engage in racial or social stereotyping. In the wake of several bias incidents last spring, I told the University community that I hold out great contempt for anyone who would intentionally inflict pain on another human being because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or creed.
Disgust was the word I used to sum up my feelings about those incidents. Hate speech, name-calling, and incivility are completely at odds with the Jesuit ideals that have always guided and animated Fordham.
Still, to prohibit Ms. Coulter from speaking at Fordham would be to do greater violence to the academy, and to the Jesuit tradition of fearless and robust engagement. Preventing Ms. Coulter from speaking would counter one wrong with another. The old saw goes that the answer to bad speech is more speech. This is especially true at a university, and I fully expect our students, faculty, alumni, parents, and staff to voice their opposition, civilly and respectfully, and forcefully.
The College Republicans have unwittingly provided Fordham with a test of its character: do we abandon our ideals in the face of repugnant speech and seek to stifle Ms. Coulters (and the student organizers) opinions, or do we use her appearance as an opportunity to prove that our ideas are better and our faith in the academyand one anotherstronger? We have chosen the latter course, confident in our community, and in the power of decency and reason to overcome hatred and prejudice.
http://www.fordhamobserver.com/mcshane-reacts-ann-coulter/
ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)Because I'm sure the reich-wing would love the outrage.
exboyfil
(17,865 posts)invite Rachel Maddow to campus. Make sure both speeches are videotaped.
Wanna bet their Republicans would try to stop the speech?
My daughter once applied to their law school and got turned down. Now I understand why: she didn't hate enough people to qualify for admission there.
PoliticalBiker
(328 posts)... totally tear apart anything Coulter would say.
Rachel is one of the best commentators out there. She does her research and has a unique way of presentation that is a pleasure to watch and listen to.
jsmirman
(4,507 posts)They really run a great university, for the most part.
Coulter is disgusting. She's not funny, she's the opposite of attractive, she's neither incisive, nor witty.
That the right wing mouth breathers think she is all of these things shows how pathetic they are.
I saw a promotional picture of Coulter just the other day and thought, "do they seriously think that looks anything other than horrifying?"
Vile person, inside and out.