Dear Editor:
Though I should think that some might be
offended by Jeremy Kidd’s claim in Monday’s CT
letter-to-the-editor section that “conservatism is nearly
always synonymous with racist, misogynist, classist
and homophobic,” the outrageousness and ignorance
surrounding his statement reduce my proxy-rage to
playful laughter. What kind of tolerant and thoughtful
liberal would knowingly slander an entire school of
political though? Kidd’s comments do, however, bring
up an issue of importance.
My problem lies not with the fact that my school
is revealingly left-wing, but that my school does not
provide even a glimpse of the other end of the argument
for those who may be interested in gaining a
balanced perspective. I am thrilled to see that VCU
attracts lecturers (i.e., Ward Churchill) who stir up
controversial intellectual pursuits, but at what point
does driving home one particular political dogma
become not progressive, but commonplace? We get it.
Yes, college-age students are generally left-leaning, and
the school desires that students attend extracurricular
lectures, read the CT and let students think they are
actively informed in politics because they watch the
only news program provided on campus, CNN. VCU’s
pandering to this audience is disappointing but not
shocking.
The debate has nothing to do with making our
liberal school conservative, nor is it about liberalizing
the remaining conservatives. While it is vastly more
important for the individual to educate himself on
matters of politics rather than looking to a university
for guidance, VCU is obligated to sensibly show any
interest in developing its students’ civic duty free from
bias. Or, if it is VCU’s wish to continue in the spirit
of promoting liberalism, the school needs to do so
with conviction and without reserve.
Sincerely,
Lee Marchenko
Dear Editor:
On Monday, Sept. 17, Jeremy Kidd said that “VCU
is a university that values diversity, especially along the
lines of gender, race, sexuality and national origin.” If
VCU really values diversity, then diversity of opinion
should be a must. All speakers with
something interesting to say should
be welcome, and all beliefs should be
tolerated. There is a world of ideas
and viewpoints out there, and hearing
as many as possible is the best way to
mold one’s own.
Unlike Mr. Kidd, I actually believe
in freedom of speech. As he pointed
out, Pat Buchanan has said some
questionable things. Wouldn’t it be nice
if we could ask Mr. Buchanan himself
about his statements instead of just
stereotypically labeling him and other
like-minded individuals as “racist, misogynistic,
classist and homophobic”?
I guess we can just forget about the
classical conservative ideas of personal
responsibility, limited government, free
speech and individual rights.
Kidd even labels the disgraced plagiarist
Ward Churchill as a “liberation
fighter” – I’m sure that has nothing to
do with the fact that he helped arrange
Mr. Churchill’s visit. According to this
newspaper, during his lecture Mr.
Churchill said that “the major difference
between European settlers’ genocide of
Native Americans and Nazi Germany’s
holocaust during World War II was
that Germany lost.” That was a pretty
shocking statement; if VCU can host
that man and not implode in student
outrage, then surely they can endure
that neo-Nazi Pat Buchanan’s abhorrent
hate speech.
I thank Mr. Kidd for looking out
for VCU, but I think the students can
handle a conservative speaker for a
few hours.
-Curtis Proctor
Dear CT,
I read Jeremy Kidd’s Monday, Sept.
17, letter to the editor, and while I am
glad to see that the elites have chosen
to respond, I am still not satisfied with
their boorish explanations.
Even the editors of The New York
Times don’t drag out this canard
anymore.
Had I known that the response would
dance around the issue, I would have
probably mentioned how Elaine Brown
wants me to pay blacks reparations,
or perhaps I would have described, in
detail, the “various stages of undress”
that the Sex Workers underwent at last
February’s “Sex Workers’ Art Show.”
It is very easy to attack people and
their ideas to avoid discussing the
issues: So what if Pat Buchanan makes
pithy observations? The problem of
one-sided speaker selection remains.
I believe very sincerely that the
problem of the elites applies here:
Liberals like Kidd have disproportionate
sway over programming and speaker
selection. Those in charge would be
wise to invite a conservative who can
provide an alternative viewpoint. Doing
so will raise the university’s profile,
increase financial contributions from
conservative alumni and enhance the
university’s diversity.
Steven C. Latimer