Margaret
D. LeCompte
Professor of Education
University of Colorado at Boulder
Dear Chancellor DiStefano, University of Colorado Regents, and President
Hoffman,
I am writing to request that you do not respond to demands that something
be “done” about Professor Ward Churchill in response to his
recently publicized essays on the September 11, 2001, tragedy.
I’ve read the essay—the original, as well as all of the subsequent
iterations and abbreviations from the media—and while I find the
name-calling in it to be inappropriate and cruel, the underlying message
of the essay is valid. That is that the United States should look seriously
at its actions in the international sphere, and not be surprised if doing
harm elsewhere redounds with bad consequences for us at home.
We too long have surrounded ourselves with a mantel of righteousness
which borders on arrogance and ignorance, and silencing people who call
attention to our misdoings doesn’t facilitate reflection on how we
might work more effectively to eradicate the root causes of world problems.
More importantly, focusing on what Professor
Churchill said or wrote misses the point.
... Read whole letter. |
