UW protesters "badger" CEO's Roger Clegg (right) at Doubletree Hotel in Madison
(Photo by the Daily Capital)
I always thought a badger (the mascot of the University of Wisconsin at Madison) was an animal. Apparently the students consider it a verb and their duty to badger people they disagree with. This week, Linda Chavez's organization, the Center for Equal Opportunity (an anti-affirmative action group), came to Wisconsin to release their findings of a study they did on UW's admissions policies, a study based on data that was only obtained under a Freedom of Information request that the university fought all the way to the State Supreme Court. The students didn't want to hear it, nor did they want anyone else to hear. They stormed the hotel where CEO president Roger Clegg was to give an address. Here is some of the reaction from the Daily Cardinal, the UWM campus paper, which contains a letter from Chavez complaining about the mob behavior by the students.
http://www.dailycardinal.com/opinion/ceo-chairman-responds-to-uw-protests-1.2594103
The blog Minding the Campus also has a report and points out the role of Damon Williams, the Vice Provost for Diversity and Climate at UWM.
http://www.mindingthecampus.com/forum/2011/09/an_affirmative_action_mob_in_m.html
(It even mentions UC Irvine.)
This is yet another example of the Storm Trooper mentality that exists on so many campuses. Reportedly, there were not only students involved, but some faculty as well. It behooves the university to investigate this incident-especially as to inappropriate behavior by faculty and staff. They should also investigate to what extent, if any, did Mr Williams instigate the incident at the Doubletree Hotel and subsequent rude treatment afforded Mr Clegg in the campus debate.
Disgraceful.
Lock the doors. Let these students and the CEO crowd fight it out. Then, keep the doors locked, and don't let the winners back out again. The world will be a much better place. A pox on both their houses.
ReplyDeleteThe CEO people did not show up to raise a ruckus. They showed up to release the findings of their study. There is a difference.
ReplyDeleteThe DEO people have an ax to grind and are just as "in-your-face" with it as anyone else. They are part of the problem. We do need to phase out "affirmative action," but in a way that respects all concerned, not in a way that points fingers and raises tensions. I am working out the way to do this with the young man who plays the keyboard at a church I attend (graduated Alabama State with a degree in marketing). CEO all but invited this response, just as the responders made fools of themselves. I say again, a pox on both their houses.
ReplyDeleteIt's fine to disagree, but you don't try to silence the other side. That is what happened at the Doubletree.
ReplyDeleteBTW: Is there something in the water back there in Wisconsin?
The water in Wisconsin is laced with dihydrogen monoxide.
ReplyDelete