To the Editor:
The appearance of Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmicheal) at Oberlin College provided a classic test of the First Amendment. And it appears that both the college administration and the student protesters grasped the importance of their response to the situation.
Colleges and universities have a responsibility to permit, yes, even encourage and support, the presentation of controversial speakers. The college environment should shine light on ideas and hold them up for examination, criticism and exposure. The best response to speech that is offensive, outrageous or even dangerous is more speech, not suppression. Only by thoroughly knowing its enemies can a democratic society and its people protect itself. What better place for this process to unfold than at an institution dedicated to challenging the intellect?
The Jewish students chose an effective and dramatic way to protest. Backs turned in silence for ninety minutes, they did not attempt to stop the speaker, but gave witness to their outrage over his message. What a testimony to their understanding of democracy.
It would be a step away from the democratic process for the college to attempt to "establish guidelines" for future speakers. This would certainly lead to suppression of speakers based on their controversial reputation or political views.
The administration owes no one an apology for the appearance of Kwame Ture. Oberlin College has a responsibility to teach students to think, respond, communicate and act upon "bad speech," but the institution should never attempt to limit speech.
Kwame Ture visit sparks campus debate (3/15/96)
Kwame Ture sparks campus debate (3/15/96)
Speaker discusses views on Zionism (3/15/96)
Ture visit results in discussions (4/5/96)
Copyright © 1996, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 124, Number 19; April 5, 1996
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