|
|
|
July 25, 2009 American social activist supports Thio Li-ann Universities should treat people with diverse views fairly, he says By Cai Haoxiang A PROMINENT American social activist has entered the fray concerning Singapore law professor Thio Li-ann's decision not to teach at New York University (NYU) this coming September. Dr William Donohue wrote to the dean of the NYU law school after he found out about her decision, saying he was 'disturbed to read' that Prof Thio had been 'intimidated into withdrawing'. 'Part of my concern over this matter is driven by my interest in securing a campus environment in which Catholics, and other people of faith, can thrive without animus,' he said in his July 23 letter. Dr Donohue, 62, a former student and professor at NYU, is president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights. He is a vocal conservative known for strong views on many matters, including abortion and gay marriage. He is also on the board of directors of the National Association of Scholars, which aims to counteract perceived liberal bias on university campuses. His letter to Dean Richard Revesz was copied to Prof Thio, who obtained his permission to release it to The Straits Times. Dr Donohue told The Straits Times last night that he was taken aback when he read in The New York Times about Prof Thio's decision not to teach in NYU. 'I think it's important that people in Singapore understand that NYU doesn't speak for America,' he said. 'Mainstream America agrees with her views. 'Even if someone disagrees with her, why can't they treat her with respect? 'Universities should pursue truth, not politics. They have to make sure that people with diverse views are treated fairly.' Prof Thio told The Straits Times that apart from Dr Donohue, other American lawyers and academics had e-mailed her to share their stories of how they were bullied because they were social conservatives. 'This is the story no one dares to write: The bullying of social conservatives in academic settings,' she said. Meanwhile, another NYU personality yesterday expressed regret that Prof Thio would not be going to teach at NYU. Prof Kenji Yoshino, a professor of constitutional law at NYU, said he was 'genuinely sorry' she would not be at NYU, as he had been hoping to have a chance to engage her in debate. In an e-mail reply to The Straits Times, he said: 'As a member of the NYU community, I feel that we have lost a valuable 'teaching moment' about the importance of academic freedom, as well as about the merits of the position she has so fearlessly, until now, advocated.' He added that he was 'saddened by the fact that she believed herself to be so prejudged and victimised that she would not get a fair forum'. Prof Yoshino, 40, is openly gay. He said that OUTLaw, a campus organisation for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) students, had approached him for advice on the stance it should take on Prof Thio's controversial appointment. 'I made it clear to them that my view was that the answer to objectionable speech was 'more speech' rather than censorship,' he said. He advised OUTLaw not to ask the law school to rescind Prof Thio's appointment as a visiting professor. In the event, OUTLaw condemned Prof Thio's views as 'reprehensible' while supporting her right to a respectful and productive dialogue. The controversy over her appointment as a visiting professor began last week after students found out about a speech she made in the Singapore Parliament in 2007 against repealing the law criminalising sex between men. Earlier this week, some faculty members joined in an online petition. Citing the 'hostile environment' at NYU towards her views, Prof Thio decided on Wednesday to cancel her teaching visit. 'I believed I would have something of value to offer your students. However, the conditions no longer exist to proceed with the visit,' she wrote in a letter to Dean Revesz. 'Friends and colleagues have also expressed serious concerns about my safety and well-being,' she added. In the end, Prof Thio's decision not to go also surprised and disappointed a law professor in Singapore. 'I would have expected the American academic environment to be more welcoming of a diversity of views,' said Mr Eugene Tan, 39, assistant law professor at Singapore Management University. 'If you believe in the superiority of your argument, on intellectual or moral grounds, the university should be the place where you can have a marketplace of ideas. 'There might not be a resolution, but a debate done in a mature and enlightened manner would enable both sides to see the starting premise and the fundamental values that each side holds,' he said. haoxiang@sph.com.sg Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement & Condition of Access |