Let's Hear Him Out

The same editorial board that openly condemned the College Republicans for inviting David Horowitz, CC ’59, called Columbia’s decision to invite Ahmadinejad “an impressive demonstration of the University’s respect of free speech and open debate.” In their warped reality, “it is one thing to invite a world leader to campus to share his or her views,” but far worse, “to celebrate incendiary pundits that generate fear and loathing instead of meaningful discourse.” Amazingly, the editorial board actually believes that it is Horowitz, a Columbian himself and a nationally recognized figure, and not Ahmadinejad, who generates “fear and loathing.” This frightening logic is in no way conducive to the “free speech” and healthy “debate” the editors purport to champion.

It is quite evident that the editorial board has allowed the protesters, and not the facts, to define the event. The authors infer bigotry and ulterior motives, but cannot offer evidence in support of their claims because it is does not exist.

When asked to define the week, Horowitz responded: “Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week is an effort to give moderate Muslims support against the forces that have hijacked their religion. It is also an effort to defend Christians, Jews, Hindus, gays, and other groups now under attack by Islamic fundamentalists.”

Rather than accepting this as sincere—that would be unheard of at Columbia—members of the campus community attacked Horowitz with diatribes on Palestinian policy and frequently interspersed ad hominem claims. Amazingly, in just one month’s time, the Columbia community has gone from protesting the prime example of Islamo-fascism to silencing further discussion on the issue. Without first hearing what Horowitz has to say or listening to his response during a Q&A, the campus community is supposed to believe that this event is meritless.

The risk of someone “being offended” is not grounds to call a student event valueless and purposely divisive. By that logic one must ask, “Where were these strongly weighted editorial board contributions when Norman Finkelstein came to campus or Juan Jose Gutierrez of ANSWER gave the keynote address for Latino Heritage Month?” The list could go on. Inevitably, we must recognize that by virtue of holding such events, someone in the University will take offense. So in the interest of impartiality, explain why there was no demonstrable outrage from Spectator’s editorial staff for these events and speakers.

Despite what some protesters might think, Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week is not a fringe or extremist movement. Well over 100 university campuses, including several in the Ivy League, will host various programs throughout the week. Speakers cover the ideological spectrum from conservative television pundits to liberal scholars. The Columbia Republicans are participating in this series of events not to “drive a political wedge,” but to encourage debate on campus on a serious issue. We cannot and will not forgo a meaningful and pertinent discussion to “bring order” to campus.
We hope that our fellow Columbians will not be blinded by the rhetoric of opposition to Horowitz and will come to the week’s other events.

We will be hosting a panel Wednesday night, 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. in Math 203, with feminist and AEI scholar Christina Hoff Sommers, CUNY professor emerita of Women’s Studies Phyllis Chesler, and Manifesto co-signer Ibn Warraq, on the treatment of women under state-enforced Islamic rule. These scholars represent a wide range of liberal and conservative political opinions and have spent a lot of time studying the issue, making them well-suited to spark a lively campus discourse. In addition, we will be holding a candlelight vigil on Tuesday night at 10 p.m. at the Sundial to commemorate those who have suffered under tyrannical Islamic regimes.

This is truly an event where people can put aside their politics and differences about the meaning of a term and can come together as individuals to remember others who have been subjected to horrible human rights violations. We even hope that our peers come to hear Horowitz, not necessarily to show support for his views, but to engage in the marketplace of ideas that is so essential to the functioning of the University and the nation.

The author, a Barnard College senior, is the executive director of the Columbia University College Republicans. To RSVP to any of the events mentioned, e-mail cucrevents@gmail.com