Dear Editor:
It seems bizarre that a campus RSO has invited a blatant racist such as Ann Coulter to speak here. While I encourage constitutionally protected rights of assembly and free speech, it remains that an informed public will be the best judge of her character and politics. In her column on Sept. 13, 2001 published on-line by the National Review, she stated in regard to Muslim states, and I quote: "We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity. We weren't punctilious about locating and punishing only Hitler and his top officers. We carpet-bombed German cities; we killed civilians. That's war. And this is war." Sound strange? Check it for yourself.
These are not the words of a tolerant and peace-loving person, but of a narrow-minded bigot seeking violent and simplistic solutions to complex global issues. Particularly where histories of domination and politics of oppression have as much of a bearing as do charges of fanaticism and anti-American sentiment. While she has the right to speak as she wishes, we also have the right to point out her own history of intolerance and prejudice.
Keith Prufer
graduate student, anthropology
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
