Gary Fouse
fousesquawk
Below is a response to my letter of today to UC Irvine regarding the "Standing Rock Is Everywhere" event. It comes from Dr. Thomas Parham, UCI's vice chancellor for student affairs, who originated the New Narratives program, which sponsored the event.
Mr. Fouse: Thank you for your note and for attending the New Narratives forum. Reviews on that program were very positive even as we understand that attendees and even panelists may agree or disagree with the assertions being advanced and opinions being offered by the various speakers. The purpose of the New Narratives series when I developed it was to create a forum where issues of race, gender, identity, oppression, social justice, etc. could become topics of critical discourse and analysis. That is what we intend to deliver in those NN forums. Also, while I do take occasional license to suggest a speaker, the speakers are primarily invited by a committee of students and staff from across the university. In light of your recommendations, I will make sure that those are forwarded to the committee for their consideration. Thank you again for your message. Dr. Parham Thomas A. Parham, Ph.D Vice Chancellor Student Affairs University of California Irvine Irvine, California. 92697 www.vcsa.uci.edu
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Here is my response:
Dr. Parham Thank you for your response. Since the purpose of New Narratives is to treat these issues with critical discourse and analysis, it seems that having conservative speakers would be essential in order to provide the students with balance enabling them to come up with their own conclusions. How can there be critical discourse and analysis when only one side of an issue is presented? I would be grateful if you could advise me as to the committee's decision on inviting Dr Sowell or Mr. Elder to speak at UCI. Thank you again for your response. Gary Fouse
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2 Comments - Share Yours!:
Of course, Dr. Parham did his doctoral dissertation on developing safe spaces for snowflakes and coal dust, while raising money for a mosque on campus, so he might not be comfortable inviting Dr. Sowell or Mr. Elder, let alone a token white or two. He wouldn't want to be responsible for the violence that would attend exposing the students to "truth and the American Way". Or have to scare up a few ringers to get the crowd shouting down the speakers, the way they did with Robert Spencer, at the last college at which he tried to speak.
I'll be surprised if he even responds any further. I do respect your attempt, nonetheless.
I meant to add - I attended UC San Diego back in the mid-'70s when they were hosting Herbert Marcuse, Marxist extraordinaire as a "visiting professor" in residence. I took one class in philosophy from one of Marcuse's admirers (he might have even been the one responsible for inviting Marcuse to UCSD), saw how the wind was blowing, so I blew smoke up the SOB's backside, took my 3.6 (I was trying to get into med school), and never took another philosophy course while I was there. It was criminal, to allow that sleaze to infect the minds of young college students.
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