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Monday, February 22, 1988 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
The KKK Issue KU has set a poor precedent by refusing to let KKK visit
A bomb defused?
Opponents of a proposed visit to the University of Kansas campus by two members of the Ku Klux Klan said last week that the University's decision to cancel the visit defused a bomb.
But the real threat to the University still exists — not in the form of violence, but in the loss of academic freedom, freedom of speech and KU's integrity as a center of higher education.
The University not only missed the opportunity to set clear guidelines for the exercise of academic freedom, but it also set the dangerous precedent of allowing the academic decision-making process to be dictated by any special interest group willing to use pressure tactics.
There can be no doubt that the decision was made in an atmosphere of intimidation. The action was a decision of convenience that looked to short-term objectives while ignoring long-term results. It cast a chill on academic freedom.
Professors wishing to set their own classroom policies suddenly find themselves highly vulnerable to opponents of their methods. And the University radio station is forced either to adopt a policy of cautious, non-provocative programming or to risk censorship based on fear of threats.
KU apparently did not think that capitulation to special interest censorship was too high a price to pay for peace on campus.
KU canceled the KKK visit in the name of "security." It refused to address the real issue of whether the professor or radio station had the right to invite members of an extremist group. Instead, it hid behind "security reasons," thus proving again that at KU, the threat of violence carries more weight than the principle of academic freedom.
It was quite a victory for those who oppose the Klansmen's appearance.
Both Chancellor Gene A. Budig and Judith Ramaley, executive vice chancellor, personally apologized to the black community when the University had nothing for which to apologize. There have been controversial speakers on campus before, and there have been groups who were offended by their presence. But never before has the University rolled over and played dead in such abject and embarrassing fashion
If Budig and Ramaley want to apologize to someone, let them apologize to the students and faculty whose intelligence was insulted and whose educational privileges were compromised by the University's sell-out policy.
A bomb may have been defused for the group that protested the visit, but a new trap has been set for the University. There will be other speakers, and there will be other programs. Someday again, KU will have to face the question of academic freedom and free speech.
The only precedent will be a bad one.
The editorial board
Editorials in this column are the opinions of the editorial board.
Editorial decisions are made by the editorial board at meetings twice a week. At these meetings, issues are discussed and an editorial stance is voted upon. The editorial board consists of Alison Young, Todd Cohen, Alan Player, Jody Dickson, Katy Monk, Van Jenerette and Russell Gray.
Other Voices
Condoms deserve practical thought
"But won't putting condom machines in dorms promote promiscuity? Perhaps, but in debating whether the University of (Texas) should install condom vending machines in residence halls, one must consider the practical arguments — not just the moral ones.
Take, for example, "safe sex." This has been one of the most popular buzz phrases in years of late, especially because of the AIDS
Controlling this disease has become a national mission, with education and changing Americans' sexual habits being the primary goals. Condoms, according to Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, are the best way to prevent the disease, "barring abstinence."
The problem of promiscuity cannot be solved by limiting condom distribution. It can be solved through other vehicles: education, different treatment in entertainment mediums and a general change in social - especially family - values.
Unfortunately, changing societal values will take time. And until abstinence becomes a popular alternative, we should do all we can to make sex as safe as possible.
The Daily Texan University of Texas-Austin
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Officials to ponder Farrakhan security
Last obstacle cleared for Farrakhan visit
CAMPUS AND AREA
Promoters of the proposed March 28 campus appearance of Louis Farrakhan, controversial black separatist minister, yesterday cleared the finalurd in gaining approval of the Visitor committee of the University.
handling security problems and the costs involved.
The subcommittee yesterday compared estimated expenses for security and other expenses with monthly raised by Alpha Phi Alpha fortunity and the Black Student Union (or Farrakhan's appearance. The groups have raised $1,300 for security and other expenses.
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on March
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tion with
Dennis said "it was too early to discuss specific secrrd
to hear Farrakhan speake fully and staff have to prominence last year for his role in Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign During the campaign, he was quoted as
student body president,
with Jim Denney,
with dean
Alpha Week, sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and scheduled for March 25-30. Some Jewish students last week excused
for th
concern about Farakhan's proposed visit.
In concern, Farakhan was quoted in Time magazine and in "A Brief History of Daray religion" and accusing Israel of "unjustice to the living and deceit."
Funds for the two
first-year students
of the University Affi-
fice the full Senate
Andrew Young
scheduled to sq
Senate passes fees for visit by Farrakhan
Budig says Farrakhan should talk
By NANCY STOETZER
318185 Louis Farrakhan, controversial leader of the Nation of Islam, should be allowed speak on campus later this month less of how distasteful Chancellor Gerald
Panel objects to Farrakhan visit
be allowed to his month, regard-ful his views may be. The Student Senate early morning approved a bill Farrakhan to Auditk
an attempt to block Student Senate
Senate allocation for Farrakhan's sp
addressed the committee.
"He offends not as a human being." W. Wallman, president of Lillian, a college organization, said of Farrakh "I don't hear the shock of what he does."
committee and would not initiate any action even if approved by the full Senate
By JULIE MANGAN
Staff Reporter
61735
committee and would not initiate any action even if approved by the full Senate. The committee will allocate $3,600 for the appearance of Corralkhan and $900 for the appearances of other candidates.
to help bring London
housing to alignment at
by Sherlock House, right
just before the re-opening
of the property and edifice.
Required for personal security.
In all cases of unauthorized access to the system, you must have proof that your identity has been verified by an authorized person. You must also notify the system administrator if you are unable to verify your identity.
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that will be developed by the Board.
The Board will have no say in the decision.
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New York general insurance company
to assist New Yorkers in the
Farmhouse to compile reports told the Senate.
but members of that company's organization persuaded the group to do that. he said
Double standards damage KU
Geller and Hieler members did not
appear the attempt to bring Parmentier
to campus. They also reported to Gov.
and Senate officials.
The Senate voted to bill with
shortened time to allocate $500,000 in
federal aid for public libraries.
Lecture Series. The series is an introduction
with a 12th annual conference on
public libraries with a 12th annual conference on
HAMS SAID THAT he would award
points for his work but that he
would point. Farrakhan's views before
and after the event.
Process of inviting controversial speakers cannot be subjective
It would seem that tolerance of repugnant views and a willingness to defend free speech and educational forums is limited to those who aren't offended.
There is much irony in the recent outcry from the Lawrence black community, its demands that Ku Klux Klan members not speak at the University of Kansas and the subsequent capitulation by the University.
Farrakhan, leader of the Chicago-based Nation of Islam, had gained national attention for his ties to Jesse Jackson's 1984 presidential campaign. During the campaign, Farrakhan was quoted as calling Judaism "a dirty religion" and Adolf Hitler a "great man."
Only three years ago, members of the KU black community brought black separatist leader Louis Farrakhan to campus. They also actively sought to bring in a member of the Aryan Nation, a group similar to the Klan.
All of this was done despite protest by the Jewish community and the possibility of violence.
Three years ago the black community stood by these actions, pointing toward the ideals of freedom of speech and educational opportunities.
The obvious variety of these speakers' views was an effort to foster increased debate of the issue.
Richard Butler, a member of the Aryan Nation, also had been invited as part of Alpha Week. The Aryan Nation is an extremist right-wing organization similar to the Klan. Because of scheduling conflicts Butter never appeared at KU.
Recently, two Missouri Klan members had been scheduled to make appearances as part of a journalism class exercise and on a student radio talk show. Because of growing controversy, the on-campus visits were postponed and subsequently canceled.
At the proposal of Farrakhan's visit, the
Lake Superior community was understandable.
[upon approval]
Farrakhan has drawn attention for statements advocating that blacks form a separate society within the United States. And in 1865 Farrakhan received publicity after rejecting an offer of military training and weapons from Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gadhafi.
In spring 1985 the KU Student Senate approved spending $4,400 of student activity fee money to bring Farrakhan to campus as part of the Black Student Union Lecture Series and Alpha Week, which was sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
The amount of money Student Senate spent to bring Farrakhan, a man whose speech was objected to by many, is especially important in light of cries that state money would be used toward bringing the Klan to campus. Neither KJHK nor the journalism school were giving stipends to the Klansmen.
Farrakhan was one of three speakers to appear that spring as part of the lecture series. Considerably less Senate money was used to pay for appearances by Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young and Emmannuel Cleaver, a Kansas City, Mo., city councilman.
It would seem that tolerance of repugnant views and a willingness to defend free speech and educational forums is limited to those who aren't offended.
How odd. Recent actions suggest a double standard: It is okay to bring the views of supremacists, both black and white, to campus only if one is black.
It is interesting to review the debate of three years ago in comparison with the current debate.
years ago in comparison with the current debate. Recently the Rev. Leo Barbee, a local black minister who has become a spokesman on the KKK issue, issued this statement: "We are strongly opposed and displeased with the fact that an invitation would be extended to any so-called racial supremacist group. We are outraged and deeply saddened that the invitation for their appearance was scheduled by the University."
"We are strongly opposed to any action which leads to the publicizing and dissemination of discriminatory doctrine. This event will only occur if religious bigotry that exists on this campus. . ."
Contrast Barbee's statement with those made by Ferguson as black community when Ferguson was invited to attend a graffiti
Farrakhan's visit to KU was spearheaded by LaDale George, who at the time was a Black Panhellenic Senator and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. George, now a law student at Northwestern University in Chicago, said Thursday in a telephone interview that the state of racial tensions was different when he organized
Farrakhan's proposed visit polarized the campus in 1985. Then, however, the lines weren't so clearly drawn by race. Students, faculty, administrators and community members debated the issue — with Jews and gentiles, blacks and whites, lining up on both sides.
A letter by KU student Warren D. Wilhoute that appeared in the Kansan on March 18, 1985 is one such example: "Being a minority has put me in the position of feeling distraught and upset by racist remarks, just as the Jewish community is now feeling. But that can be endured and dealt with, thanks to the people who take the initiative not to be caught up in the current racial tension that has been perpetuated by the media . . .
"In this country — this bastion of 'democracy'
you have the choice of hearing Farkranak or
not. Protesting is your right, but it is also
Farkranak's right to be heard via freedom of
speech."
the 1985 Alpha Week program.
"When we invited them, the racial tensions in America were brewing. Now it's boiled over, spilled on and the stuff is nasty. Now it's after the point of Howard Beach, now it's after the point of the Citadel killing, it's after the point of racial outbreaks in Miami." George said.
"We did it pre-wartime," he said of bringing Farrakhan to campus. "They did it after wartime. That makes a difference. People are more sensitive now."
Perhaps people are more sensitive now. That doesn't matter. Regardless of whether racial tensions have changed, the standards of freedom of speech and educational forums have not.
Certainly there are differences between Farrakhan and the Ku Klux Klan. But both are racist and supremacist.
I was a student senator in the spring of 1985. I voted in favor then of bringing Farrakhan to campus. That doesn't mean I endorse his views. But I wanted the chance for myself and the student body to weigh what he had to say.
Today, I look back and am confident I made the right decision in 1985.
What surprises me is that over the issue of the Klan, the university has compromised all that it stood for. What happened to the University that so openly supported the free speech and educational forum rights of Student Senate, Black Student Union and Alpha Phi Alpha to bring Farrakhan to campus?
Three years ago, Chancellor Gene A. Budig said Parrakhan should be allowed to speak on campus.
"Freedom of speech is a fundamental right. I would encourage all student leaders to work together to insure that the principles of free speech are maintained." Budig said.
Until Friday, the University still stood for these ideals.
But by announcing the cancellation of Klan members' on-campus appearances in the journalism class and on the radio program, KU has shown that a vocal interest group can dictate what resources will or will not be used to teach in our classrooms. The University also has indicated by creating the threat of violence; programming the student radio station can be influenced.
The University went even further and apologized for the incident, implying that the University had done something that was wrong.
Budig said Friday that the decision to cancel was one in which academic integrity had not been compromised.
I'm sorry, Chancellor Budig. It has.
Alison Young is an Omaha, Neb., senior majoring in journalism.
BLOOM COUNTY
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