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Monday, February 07, 2005
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UP AND COMING SPEAKERS
AT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY " Cheney, Wash. - Statement from EWU President Stephen Jordan on campus speakers Ward Churchill and Ron Jeremy For more than two centuries, America's universities have been safe harbors for expression of thought and speech. This is a role that the academy of scholars holds as its deepest value. I believe that our citizens’ tolerance, understanding and support of free speech in the academy lies not in our self-defense of its virtues; but rather, its preservation lies in our citizen's belief that the academy will be judicious in expressions of thought and speech which are significantly at odds with societal norms. Freedom of speech is sometimes inconvenient, often times uncomfortable, but in a democratic society it is always necessary. Even the most disturbing or sometimes vile speech is vital to our understanding of ourselves and others. A university is a collection of many disparate groups examining their precepts of our culture, values and mores. Often these groups, in an effort to stimulate their intellectual curiosity, will invite outside speakers who will challenge community or societal norms. I have deep confidence in the intellectual quality of our students and their ability to process a diversity of ideas presented to them, with the end result being their own informed personal viewpoint. Two speakers invited to the EWU campus, Ward Churchill and Ron Jeremy, provide this university with a difficult challenge. Eastern Washington University is committed to the free exchange of ideas, but in the case of Mr. Churchill, we have to consider our overarching responsibility for the safety of our students, faculty, staff and Mr. Churchill himself. After doing a responsible review of the safety and security issues involved with bringing Mr. Churchill to campus, this University does not feel we have the adequate resources to guarantee a safe forum for discussion. Therefore, we are officially canceling his appearance at Eastern. We do not see this cancellation as a curtailment of Mr. Churchill’s free speech right. Indeed, Supreme Court decisions raise legitimate question as to whether speech that incites panic or an immediate breach of the peace is protected by the First Amendment. We are canceling an event, not an idea. Mr. Churchill still has multiple venues for the outlet of his ideas. Neither this University nor the state’s taxpayers are under any obligation to provide an appearance venue for Mr. Churchill if his presence threatens the safety and security of this campus. Mr. Jeremy’s appearance is not a security or safety issue, but we did recognize that the program, in its initial conception, inadequately served what the title Eastern Dialogues denotes, as a single viewpoint presentation is not dialogue. With that in mind, Eastern has enhanced the discussion by providing a more comprehensive discussion of the issues at hand by giving a forum for alternate views before, during and after Mr. Jeremy’s program. Our willingness to stand by Mr. Jeremy’s appearance, which has also generated controversy, is a testament to our commitment to free speech. Mr. Churchill’s appearance, and the maelstrom that now accompanies him, is another matter altogether. Dr. Stephen M. Jordan President Eastern Washington University " ------------------------------------------------------------------------ UD is delighted to announce that Eastern Washington has asked her to represent some of those “alternate views” during this event. She doesn’t mind admitting that she’s pretty intimidated by Mr. Jeremy, but she’s convinced that any serious university will benefit intellectually from a rigorous public give and take with him. So here goes - below are some of UD’s prepared responses to Jeremy’s positions, as he has stated them in a recent interview: " Q: Would you consider yourself the most popular porn star in the world? It would be conceited for me to say yes. But let me say this: everyone else says it. AVN [Adult Video News] magazine, the bible of the porn business, they did a thing on the Top 50 Adult Film Stars of All-Time and the most influenced, and I was kind of happily surprised that they made me #1. They had John Holmes as #3, and he was the king, I was the prince... but I was #1. Jenna Jameson was #2. Linda Lovelace #4... and it went on." UD's response: You are being conceited. Arrogance is not a virtue. You’re making people lower down on the list feel bad by crowing. "Q: I read that Jewish men make for good lovers, any truth to that? I heard Italians made for good lovers; Jews just give good head..." UD: Your gross cultural stereotyping is offensive. "Q: Speaking of twos -- who do you prefer, Monica Lewinsky or Hillary Rodham Clinton? Monica Lewinsky: younger, cuter, bigger boobs." UD: Ageism and sexism are also offensive. "Quick fact: Ron discovered that he was able to fellate himself when he bent over one day to tie his shoelace." UD: Everyone has gifts, and those gifts should be encouraged. You are to be congratulated. |