Rally on the Midway: Rice postpones, OccupyChicago responds
by fractalindex
Statement on Rice and Paulson’s Postponement of their Event and the Provost’s So-Called Respect for Free Inquiry:
We the students// and the people of Chicago// condemn Hank Paulson and Condoleeza Rice’s postponement of their event// scheduled to occur on Monday, November 14, 2011// at the University of Chicago.
Last night// Thomas F. Rosenbaum, Provost of the University// and Kimberly Geoff-Crews, Dean of Students// emailed a statement to the entire university community// faculty, students, and staff// threatening disciplinary action// against anyone daring to “disrupt” the event//“disruption” to be defined as the university administration sees fit.
In their email// Rosenbaum and Geoff-Crews// invoke the concept of free inquiry// in order to justify disciplinary action// taken against those expressing such free inquiry.// Such an invocation// makes a mockery of the concept of free inquiry// by invoking it in order to stifle truly free inquiry// which would allow those who disagree to make their opinions known// in a voice just as loud as Hank and Condi’s.
The Paulson Center is a corporate forum// where war criminals like Condoleeza Rice// can merge corporate interests// with academic legitimacy// without being called out for their actions.
Rosenbaum and Geoff-Crews do not care about free inquiry.// They are only concerned about their reputations// and the reputation of this university// in the eyes of its corporate sponsors.
We the students had no intention of shutting down this talk. // We only wanted to express// our frustration with the system// of which Paulson and Rice are an integral part// in a forum where our questions would have to be answered.
Paulson and Rice’s postponement of this event// suggests that they can’t handle free inquiry.
Rosenbaum and Geoff-Crews’ threatening email// suggests that they can’t handle free inquiry.
With this statement// we seek to puncture the illusion// that this University already embodies its highest ideals.// We issue a call to the University// and to all universities// to reflect on their basic commitments// and recognize the ways in which they have fallen short.
We issue a call for true free inquiry// where those with money and influence// like Hank Paulson and Condoleeza Rice// do not get to speak louder than everyone else.
We are the 99% // and we call upon this university uphold its ideals.
