Being Too Dense To Understand The Context Isn't Cause For Censorship
Tom Giffey, editorial page editor of the LeaderTelegram, writes about yet another case the terrific campus free-speech defending organization FIRE (the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) has taken on:
The saga began Sept. 12 when Jim Miller, a UW-Stout communications and theater professor, hung a poster from the defunct sci-fi TV series "Firefly" on his office door. The poster showed spaceship captain Mal Reynolds, the series' protagonist, accompanied by a quote: "You don't know me, son. So let me explain this to you once: If I ever kill you, you'll be awake, you'll be facing me, and you'll be armed."As a communications professor - and, one would hope, university administrators - would know, context is critical to understanding a text. In this case, while the quote includes the word "kill," it isn't espousing violence. Quite the contrary: In the preceding line, a character who has been rescued by the captain asks, "How do I know you won't kill me in my sleep?" In the context of the program, the captain's reply is a declaration of his code of honor - he would only commit violence in self-defense - not a threat.
Unfortunately, university officials didn't explore this context by asking the professor about his "threatening" poster. Instead, campus police Chief Lisa Walter removed it and emailed Miller that it was "unacceptable." Miller responded that the action was "fascistic" and violated his First Amendment rights. The police chief retorted: "Speech can be limited on a reasonable expectation that it will cause a material and/or substantial disruption of school activities and/or be constituted as a threat." She then threatened that re-posting the quote could bring him a charge of disorderly conduct.
Miller responded by putting up a cheeky poster that bore a cartoon of a figure in riot gear beating another person, as well as the phrase "Fascism can cause blunt trauma and/or violent death. Keep fascism away from children and pets." Campus police removed that one too.
The kerfuffle may not have received much attention were it not for the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a Philadelphia-based group that advocates for civil liberties on campus. On Sept. 21, FIRE wrote to Chancellor Charles Sorensen, saying the university's actions were "outrageous" and that no reasonable person would see the posters as a threat. In its letter, the group stated, "The First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of expression does not exist to protect only non-controversial speech; indeed, it exists precisely to protect speech that some members of a community may find controversial or offensive."
...But instead of apologizing, UW-Stout administrators sent out an email last week defending their actions: "It was our belief, after consultation with UW System legal counsel, that the posters in question constituted an implied threat of violence."
Working as an administrator at a university constitutes an implied threat of intelligence, but clearly, one should never assume.
More on the UW-Stout case here and here, at FIRE's site.
"It was our belief, after consultation with UW System legal counsel, that the posters in question constituted an implied threat of violence."
Which, in defense of honor and independence, is completely appropriate. This is why there are thousands of Browncoats, and Nathan Fillion and his "crew" cannot buy their own dinner where a Browncoat is present.
And it is completely horrible that people must get their inspiration and images of leadership from fiction. This will continue so long as people who can quote the above have positions of power.
Radwaste at October 4, 2011 12:01 AM
Nothing wrong at all with drawing inspiration from fiction. Stories are how people pass on morals, lessons, and history, in ways that the raw bones of lecture and preaching can never do.
Robert at October 4, 2011 1:55 AM
To play devil's advocate...
In the wake of several campus shootings, it was probably a cover-your-ass tactic by the school. The last thing any school wants is to have a shooting on their campus with a kid that says, "the poster made me do it". It would be a crap excuse, but it wouldn't be the first time.
They could have handled without the guerilla tactics, but I think I understand where they were coming from. With all the crazy people in the world, everyone is so concerned with being PC that it has gotten completely out of control.
Renee at October 4, 2011 4:53 AM
The "officer" who removed the poster is in charge of parking on campus. I'll bet the administration doesn't want to be seen favoring a white male over her.
KateC at October 4, 2011 5:30 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/10/04/being_too_dense.html#comment-2535833">comment from ReneeTo play devil's advocate... In the wake of several campus shootings, it was probably a cover-your-ass tactic by the school.
You can't cover your ass if it covers up the Constitution.
As I wrote in the civil liberties op-ed nobody in North America will publish (as of yet), the expectation that we will have total physical safety is ludicrous. We won't have it even if we give up all of our civil liberties.
Amy Alkon at October 4, 2011 6:10 AM
"You can't cover your ass if it covers up the Constitution."
Hmm I think a better way of putting it.
Covering your ass, looks more like wiping your ass on the Constitution.
Joe J at October 4, 2011 9:11 AM
and what would they say if you put any number of famous Shakespeare quotes on the door. If he had a poster for "Death of a Salesman"?
Would it hurt too many feelings if you had a poster of the Duke: “Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid.” Like at least one of my profs had back in the day? How about: "that which does not kill us makes us stronger"
How 'bout a picture of Einstein sticking out his tongue? Where does this stuff end?
Guess they don't know much about "credible threats"
what would they make of this?:
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" [Evelyn Beatrice Hall often attributed to Voltaire]
probably get hauled in for sensitivity training...
I hate the fact that this will go to litigation because it's a waste of taxpayer money. They should know better. AND? They could have just had a private conversation with the Prof and persuaded him that maybe it was a bit forceful, and could he put something else up?
How much stuff is remedied with a simple conversation?
SwissArmyD at October 4, 2011 9:35 AM
If that poster inspires a campus shooter, he'd have to warn, arm, and face the kids at whom he's shooting.
Conan the Grammarian at October 4, 2011 9:40 AM
"Nothing wrong at all with drawing inspiration from fiction."
But don't miss that we do this because we don't have any such person in office.
Radwaste at October 4, 2011 10:27 AM
The original poster did not really need context. It quite simply said, "If I kill you it will be because you are already trying to murder me." It is about self-defense. I have not seen the series, would not recognize the character never mind the particular episode, but the message seems quite clear.
John A at October 4, 2011 11:19 AM
John A
You missed watching a well written, well acted and a great series, which you can catch on DVD.
Richard at October 4, 2011 1:04 PM
Ditto!
Radwaste at October 4, 2011 1:36 PM
"It was our belief, after consultation with UW System legal counsel, that the posters in question constituted an implied threat of violence."
Dear UW-Stout administration: Just because you declare something to be true, that does not make it so.
Cousin Dave at October 4, 2011 4:25 PM
The University has now reversed its position and will allow both posters to be displayed. Thank you FIRE!
Al at October 4, 2011 7:25 PM
I wonder how they would react to a poster with a picture of Obama and text reading "August 2011 -- a perfect score -- Unemployment change 0.0%"
How about a picture of Obama and the quote "Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son."
And I wonder if there are any posters of Ernesto "Che" Guevara on any doors. He was a known revolutionary. Why aren't they threatening?
Jim P. at October 4, 2011 9:56 PM
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