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College Principals Should Stand Up For Free Speech Instead Of Supporting The Censors

I was going to write my own words on this, but it started off with the headliner "Spineless Pricks" and degenerated from there.... So here's bits and pieces from around the net

From the Guardian Patricia Fara said

senior college officials were locked in urgent talks about how the material came to be published and what action to take against the student.

In a statement issued by Clare College, a senior tutor, Patricia Fara, said: "Clare is an open and inclusive college. A student-produced satirical publication has caused widespread distress throughout the Clare community.

"The college finds the publication and the views expressed abhorrent. Reflecting the gravity of the situation, the college immediately began an investigation and disciplinary procedures are in train."

Stupid fucking cow. What views were they? Let's go to the press release from the National Secular Society

“Satire aimed at religion is no different to satire aimed at any other ideas and should not be punished or restrained. The freedom to poke fun at those who take themselves too seriously is a time-honoured tradition in this country. Regrettably, it is rapidly being eroded by cases like this. We urge you to think again and stand four-square behind the satirists, instead of disciplining them.

We would like to remind all concerned that satirising religion – even if that religion is Islam – is not racism, as this episode has been dubbed. Religion and race have very different characteristics. We would have heartily joined the condemnation if the satire had been racially motivated, but according to the reports we have read, the issue of Clareification in question was devoted to religious satire.

“We would like to draw your attention to a case that is pending in France at the moment, in which a satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, has been brought to court by an Islamic organisation for re-publishing the Danish cartoons that are at the centre of so much controversy. In the French case, academics, artists and politicians of all hues have rushed to the defence of the magazine. Letters of support and statements defending free speech have been issued by some of the most influential people in the country – including Mr Sarkozy, who is potentially the next President of France.

“Your own reaction – as reported – does not bear comparison with the principled French reactions. It sides with the oppressors and censors who are doing so much to retard open debate in academe and elsewhere.

“We call on you to support the publishers of the magazine and to tell the would-be censors that their protests have been heard but that they will not prevail. Without the freedom to debate, discuss and, yes, mock, ideas and ideologies, there can be no informed political discourse. Satire is an indispensable tool in the operating of a truly free society.”

Hear, hear.

From the Independent

In a rare move, Clare College fellows have called a Court of Discipline, which will sit in judgment on the student. An insider at the college said: "It's the first time in living memory a Court of Discipline has been set up."

The college chaplain has also been involved in talks aimed at trying to ease racial tension and is known to have met members of the Islamic Society and a local imam to discuss how best to quell fears over potential racial clashes.

Major cultural cringe. Euch. I have an inkling the local Imam and the Islamic society would be opposed to satirising Mohammed. Just a an inkling. Mohammed, according to "authentic" sources did say on the subject of free-thought.

"He who changes his religion, kill him"

Our values aren't all the same. Values such as equality, freedom of expression trump totalitarian quasi-facist ideals, for fucksake.

Thanks to Religion of Pieces and Steve at Pub Philosopher, who has several excellent posts up.

Also Granny Wetherwax at New English Review and Brownie at Harrys Place in the comments sums up the outrage quite succcintly when addressing another commentor

I'll tell you what's "offensive". What's "offensive" is that some 19-year old student has had to be whisked off to a secret location because there are now very real concerns for his safety, and all because he printed a cartoon some other people find "offensive".

If you want to get angry about something, fucking get angry about that.

Indeed.

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