Jonathan Samuelson: Speaker Not Interested in Truth
Writer says university must be wary of using free speech to protect activities of those who don't believe in it
Wednesday, January 1, 2003
I was dismayed to learn about the upcoming speaking appearance of Ms. Laura Whitehorn on your campus March 3 as according to the African-American Studies web calendar. Although I have no connection to Duke University, or even to the great state of North Carolina, I feel obligated to share with you the reasons for my consternation.
Let me say that I fully support and encourage the free exchange of ideas, political and otherwise. Responsible citizens and thinkers value forthright debate and consider numerous viewpoints. It is intellectually noble to hear out different voices, and intellectually ignoble to stamp out these seeds of democracy before they take root. But for understanding and truth (and truth must be the ultimate goal; otherwise what is the point?) to triumph, both sides of a debate must be able to count on the other's willingness to listen objectively, fairly, and fully.
What is apparent is that the scheduled speaker is not willing to countenance intellectual fairness. In 1983 Ms. Whitehorn took part in bombing the United States Capitol building. She was convicted and served 14 years in federal prison. Rather than abiding by the great American tradition of vigorous but honest defense of truth and ideals, rather than persuading through rational and reasonable argument, in her violent attack upon the functional locus of our government and the symbolic center of our republic, Ms. Whitehorn arrogantly asserted her own views as supremely self-evident and more important than anybody else's. I am left to ruminate as to why the self-anointed prophets of tolerance and non-judgmentalism failed to condemn this most intolerant judgmentalism. Fortunately Ms. Whitehorn's violence caused no significant harm, other than besmirching herself and those associated with her.
According to said website, Ms. Whitehorn is "a revolutionary anti-imperialist," and "a political prisoner." I have no objection whatsoever to speakers with this sort of resume. By all means have as many "revolutionaries," "anti-imperialists," and "political prisoners" on campus as you want. Bring in all the communists and fascists you can find. Invite some Barbary pirates or Visigoths, fine. But let us avoid euphemistic subterfuge and be clear: Solzhenitzyn was a political prisoner. Irina Ratushinskaya was a political prisoner. John Milton was a political prisioner. Primo Levi was a political prisoner. Joan of Arc was a political prisoner. Nelson Mandela--a political prisoner. Ms. Laura Whitehorn is a convicted terrorist. She was tried and convicted by the laws that everyone who chooses to live here agrees by implication to abide by. That she should be labeled as some kind of martyr for truth is deplorable. Duke's toleration of this outrageous mischaracterization is yet another lamentable dilution of the American consciousness.
I realize that Ms. Whitehorn is speaking on HIV, but this sort of opprobriousness should merit immediate disqualification from any forum; why should an enemy of free speech be given the very respect which she apparently disdains?
I will continue to admire your fine school, especially your striking royal blue basketball logo--a visual treat.
Sincerely,
Jonathan M. Samuelson
Other Comments
Roy Kiefer: I went to war to protect American freedom of speech