The letter relies for its argument on the Chapel Hill shooting, the motive of which has been clearly established as a longstanding parking-space dispute and not any kind of bigotry against Muslims, and calls Chris Kyle a racist mass murderer.The University of Michigan canceled a scheduled movie screening of American Sniper Tuesday after student activists posted a collective letter decrying the film as dangerous propaganda that promoted “negative and misleading stereotypes” of Muslims.The letter from the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) and Muslim students on campus, signed by a total of almost 300 students, accused the university of "tolerating dangerous anti-Muslim and anti-MENA propaganda." Saying that hate crimes against the groups are "growing increasingly common," the letter blames American Sniper for contributing to "a culture of Islamophobia in America" and potentially creating an "unsafe space" for Muslim and MENA students.
The Center for Campus Involvement got the message real fast and pulled the movie showing, and also puked all over itself in a response to the letter.
And thus does the light of freedom flicker out in post-America.
Does not the backlash and consequent reshowing of the film restore some faith in intellectual freedom, if nothing else?
ReplyDeleteIt should restore a lot of faith because, despite what you decry, the flicker of the light of freedom is strong. And much more than a flicker that is not being extinguished any time soon.
ReplyDeleteMichigan's vice president of student life E. Royster Harper issued a statement late Wednesday night and less than 90 minutes after Harbaugh's tweet that said the movie was back on as originally scheduled.
ReplyDelete"It was a mistake to cancel the showing of the movie 'American Sniper' on campus as part of a social event for students.
"The initial decision to cancel the movie was not consistent with the high value the University of Michigan places on freedom of expression and our respect for the right of students to make their own choices in such matters.
"The movie will be shown at the originally scheduled time and location. We recognize, however, that some students are uncomfortable with the content of the movie, and appreciate that concern.
"Therefore, the university also will show an alternative movie, "Paddington," in another location on campus at that same time and date to provide our students with additional options that evening."
I am indeed grateful that this particular battle in the war for the West's soul was one by the good side. But the war rages as fiercely as ever.
ReplyDeleteBut Paddington as the University's alternative flick? Wonder how many will show there? A big turn-out might mean something. Really something. Not sure what, but really something.
ReplyDeleteYep you guessed it, that be Paddington Bear, released in Jan.
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