2008 Woodie Awards
Letters to the editor
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Editorials
Education must defend all arenas, including mistakes
After reading President David Hodge's letter to Miami University community members in regards to the noose display on Patterson Avenue, the passion and conviction Hodge communicated was comforting. However, closer examination of the letter shows it contains an ironic error. The area of concern reads, "I am angered and dismayed that any person on this campus, particularly in light of the recent incidents in Jena, Miss., would even unintentionally create such a display." The incident referenced by Hodge involved the display of nooses in a high school that sparked a national outcry condemnation of the perceived racism. The intended purpose of mentioning this incident was to point out the ignorance of these students' actions, as if to say, "you should have known that a noose is offensive." Interestingly enough, the "Jena Six" incident did not occur in Miss. as Hodge reported. In fact, the incident occurred in La. How could Hodge so harshly condemn ignorance of such a recent event when in his own letter he cannot accurately recount the events himself? For a school trying to shake its tarnished image of homogeneity and ignorance, insensitive to race, this letter merely serves as reinforcement.
It is difficult to imagine that Hodge himself was the only person to see this letter. I am concerned that not one of these proofreaders corrected this error, demonstrating that this is a larger issue than just one between Hodge and uninformed students. As an academic community we need to be more complete in our awareness of national issues and current events, and engage in dialogue to bring to the surface these issues.
This incident also sheds light on the need to have educational opportunities to make mistakes in an academic setting. As reckless as the noose display may be, it is indicative of the broader responsibilities to free speech that we have. As educators and students we need to defend a space for making mistakes that contribute to the kind of knowledge called for in the president's remarks. Freedom of speech is a daunting challenge, one that needs urgent and tireless defense even when we might enjoy our superior positions in judging the speech of others.
Nick Bernard
bernarna@muohio.edu
Ben Voth
associate professor in
communication
vothb@muohio.edu
Freedom of speech must be consideration with art project
While I certainly understand why such a display could be offensive and do not necessarily believe such a display should be on our campus, I am very uneasy with what President David Hodge's e-mail says about free speech on our campus. Prior to this incident I was quite proud that Miami University students could use Miami's public spaces freely, whether this be for displaying art projects or for controversial political protests. President Hodge said that police removed the display, and then went on to say that Miami is not only willing to censor voices it deems inappropriate, but also is willing to interpret these voices however it sees fit. The e-mail said that the student in fact did not mean for the display to be construed in a racist manner, and yet this student has been denounced as though (s)he was being racist.
Personally, I could see how such a project could force the Miami community to discuss some difficult issues. Despite what the administration is attempting to do, Miami remains a very homogenous community and is not always a particularly hospitable place for minorities. Every day I see or overhear things here at Miami that might deter a prospective minority student from coming here. I could see how this student's display could come to symbolize all of this, and in such a way this project could serve as a critical indictment of our community. It has certainly already jolted many of us into thinking about these issues, which I believe is a good thing for Miami. We cannot ignore the problems of our community. Of course, I have no idea what the artist actually wanted to convey with the project because President Hodge's e-mail refused to give the student any type of voice. In this manner the censorship was complete, and possibly more damaging than the display itself.
I am also dismayed that the display was removed and condemned without any discussion of free speech whatsoever. And, it seems like it's something that we should be able to discuss without the risk of being "deplored" by our president and of finding the police at our door. There is a fine line between a tolerant society and a politically correct one, and I fear this situation is pushing us toward the latter instead of the former.
Jason Young
youngjc2@muohio.edu
After reading President David Hodge's letter to Miami University community members in regards to the noose display on Patterson Avenue, the passion and conviction Hodge communicated was comforting. However, closer examination of the letter shows it contains an ironic error. The area of concern reads, "I am angered and dismayed that any person on this campus, particularly in light of the recent incidents in Jena, Miss., would even unintentionally create such a display." The incident referenced by Hodge involved the display of nooses in a high school that sparked a national outcry condemnation of the perceived racism. The intended purpose of mentioning this incident was to point out the ignorance of these students' actions, as if to say, "you should have known that a noose is offensive." Interestingly enough, the "Jena Six" incident did not occur in Miss. as Hodge reported. In fact, the incident occurred in La. How could Hodge so harshly condemn ignorance of such a recent event when in his own letter he cannot accurately recount the events himself? For a school trying to shake its tarnished image of homogeneity and ignorance, insensitive to race, this letter merely serves as reinforcement.
It is difficult to imagine that Hodge himself was the only person to see this letter. I am concerned that not one of these proofreaders corrected this error, demonstrating that this is a larger issue than just one between Hodge and uninformed students. As an academic community we need to be more complete in our awareness of national issues and current events, and engage in dialogue to bring to the surface these issues.
This incident also sheds light on the need to have educational opportunities to make mistakes in an academic setting. As reckless as the noose display may be, it is indicative of the broader responsibilities to free speech that we have. As educators and students we need to defend a space for making mistakes that contribute to the kind of knowledge called for in the president's remarks. Freedom of speech is a daunting challenge, one that needs urgent and tireless defense even when we might enjoy our superior positions in judging the speech of others.
Nick Bernard
bernarna@muohio.edu
Ben Voth
associate professor in
communication
vothb@muohio.edu
Freedom of speech must be consideration with art project
While I certainly understand why such a display could be offensive and do not necessarily believe such a display should be on our campus, I am very uneasy with what President David Hodge's e-mail says about free speech on our campus. Prior to this incident I was quite proud that Miami University students could use Miami's public spaces freely, whether this be for displaying art projects or for controversial political protests. President Hodge said that police removed the display, and then went on to say that Miami is not only willing to censor voices it deems inappropriate, but also is willing to interpret these voices however it sees fit. The e-mail said that the student in fact did not mean for the display to be construed in a racist manner, and yet this student has been denounced as though (s)he was being racist.
Personally, I could see how such a project could force the Miami community to discuss some difficult issues. Despite what the administration is attempting to do, Miami remains a very homogenous community and is not always a particularly hospitable place for minorities. Every day I see or overhear things here at Miami that might deter a prospective minority student from coming here. I could see how this student's display could come to symbolize all of this, and in such a way this project could serve as a critical indictment of our community. It has certainly already jolted many of us into thinking about these issues, which I believe is a good thing for Miami. We cannot ignore the problems of our community. Of course, I have no idea what the artist actually wanted to convey with the project because President Hodge's e-mail refused to give the student any type of voice. In this manner the censorship was complete, and possibly more damaging than the display itself.
I am also dismayed that the display was removed and condemned without any discussion of free speech whatsoever. And, it seems like it's something that we should be able to discuss without the risk of being "deplored" by our president and of finding the police at our door. There is a fine line between a tolerant society and a politically correct one, and I fear this situation is pushing us toward the latter instead of the former.
Jason Young
youngjc2@muohio.edu
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