Monday, March 04, 2002

Should all higher education be a playpen for the cultural left?

Should all higher education be a playpen for the cultural left?
Many children resent their parents’ television censorship. Few 9-year olds are permitted to watch “South Park” or “Sex in the City.” Most parents understand that some things simply are not appropriate for a young mind.
We generally give our children more latitude as they grow older and, hopefully, become more mature and responsible. But, not everybody grows up. There are people who stay childlike forever.
What becomes of such people?
A disproportionate number of them become university professors. Academia is a great sandbox where the perennially immature can play, insulated from the responsibilities that the rest of the world must cope with. And just like any other spoiled child, when they have a toy taken from them, they throw a temper tantrum.
Just these sort of people are pitching just such a fit up at Gonzaga University in Spokane right now because they’ve had a toy taken from them. The only difference is that the toys they want to play with are the students at Gonzaga University and the moral instruction of the Catholic Church. Gonzaga’s Women’s Studies club wanted to bring the play, “The Vagina Monologues” to the Gonzaga campus. Gonzaga University president, Reverend Robert Spitzer wisely said “no.” Predictably, children of all ages are complaining about censorship and the denial of academic freedom.
The Vagina Monologues contain graphic descriptions of sex, masturbation and homosexuality. It is childishly justified as a part of a campaign to prevent violence against women. Just how masturbation would discourage violence is unclear. Al Gore might as well consider masturbation to prevent global warming. Monica Lewinsky may as well say that she was doing Slick Willy for world peace.
Apparently, lesbian statutory rape discourages violence too. "Well, I say if it was rape, it was good rape," proclaims one vagina regarding the seduction of a 14 year old.
This is the second time around in recent years at Gonzaga. Previously, somebody wanted to bring a speaker from the ironically misnamed Planned Parenthood. Again, Gonzaga’s president said “no.” Gonzaga is a Catholic school and the Catholic Church is morally opposed to abortion. Abortion is what Planned Parenthood does. Abortion is what Planned Parenthood advocates. It’s perfectly reasonable for a Catholic school to deny a platform for an abortionist.
Would the champions of free speech and academic freedom demand that a Nazi be permitted to speak at a synagogue?
Gonzaga philosophy professor and permanent spoiled child, Mark Alfino, argued that denying Gonzaga’s facilities to the play’s promoters amounted to censorship and represented a threat to academic freedom.
"It's a weak faith that doesn't welcome challenges," he said.
He’s wrong. It’s a weak faith that does not defend its tenets. A faith that does not uphold its principles is in retreat.
Perhaps the bigger issue is the notion that all universities should conform to the “anything goes” agenda of the amoral cultural left. Shouldn’t parents and their children have some choice regarding the moral climate of the university they choose for their education? Those who otherwise worship at the alter of choice tolerate no choice where education is concerned. A college that does not wallow in the vilest filth is backward.
Washington State University practices unfettered academic freedom. A few years ago, a WSU art professor exercised that freedom by downloading pornography from the internet, printing it out, and posting it in the university’s art gallery. Academic freedom should be the privilege of those who exercise a commensurate measure of responsibility.
Despite the whining, Gonzaga has denied neither the promoters of the “Vagina Monologues” or Planned Parenthood their free speech. They have simply been denied the use of Gonzaga’s megaphone. They can still mouth off. But they’ll have to supply their own amplification.
And as for Mark Alfino and the people he represents, it is the pinnacle of arrogance to imagine that your boss should have no say into what sort of offensive filth you can exhibit. If you believe otherwise, try putting up a girly calendar in your office. I know that if tried something like that, I’d be roasted on a spit to the cheers of monologue feminists.
Were Father Spitzer as cynical as his critics, he might have banned the monologues as sexual harassment.

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