Today marks the beginning of the Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week, a week of events sponsored by the David Horowitz Freedom Foundation and organized on campus by Bruin Republicans.
The event’s purpose is to call out what Horowitz believes is university support of radical Islam with the existence of groups on campus like the Muslim Students Association, and it is happening at several colleges around the country this week.
Though we applaud the employment of freedom of speech, the people in support of these events are coming out too aggressively and causing more conflict than raising awareness.
First, the association of any student group with fascism, whether it be religiously or politically based, is not to be taken lightly.
A university’s purpose is to promote growth and knowledge and to allow the voices of various groups to be heard.
Limiting a group because of its religious affiliation and buying into stereotypes infringes on other groups’ right to determine their own agenda.
The university, contrary to the supporters of Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week, should not force student groups to admit to or swear off behavior that they have not taken part in.
There is no hard evidence that the Muslim Students Association has engaged in any radical Islamic activity that would in any way threaten the university or its students.
To preemptively pigeonhole a normal student group into some sort of terrorist cell is immature and dangerous.
It creates an environment of fear for not just this victimized minority but also for other students.
In this time of political turmoil and unfortunate racial profiling, events like these only increase anxiety.
Unity and the exchange of ideas is critical to maintaining a strong, functioning society.
It would be better to have a panel discussion, where members of the Muslim Student Association can defend themselves and respond to questions and fears from the community, rather than be pushed aside and demeaned by these close-minded and one-sided events.
There are also protests planned for this week in addition to these events, which will certainly create friction on campus ““ a counterproductive result of the supposed purpose of this week: awareness.
In their attempts to generate dialogue on issues pertinent to students and other members of the community, student groups and school administrators should be conscious of the potential for events like these to become more serious than simple discussions.
By failing to include the voices of individuals and groups that might find the general thrust of these events to be offensive, the endorsing parties’ intentions could be perceived as antagonistic and stifling to the possibility of open discussion.
Students, too, should be careful that in their attempts to express political views they do not cross the critical threshold out of preserving the rights of others to express potentially diametric opinions.
Moreover, all individuals involved should remember that the frank and passionate exchange of convictions on subjects as heated as this always carry the potential to erupt in physical violence.
Actions must be taken to prevent such situations, and strong leadership is needed to ensure that a productive dialogue occurs.