Tulane University puts an author discussion on 'Life of a Klansman' on hold after students complain the event is 'violent towards the experience and work of Black people.'
This is an unofficial transcript meant for reference. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Steve well, it was meant to
Steve well, it was meant to
serve campus discussion about
the importance of racial
equality. Today in the United
States,
however, Tulane University
putting award winning authors
event on hold after students
complained about his book that
reckoned with a white
supremacist ancestor
the student government, saying
quote this government is not
only inappropriate but violent
towards the experience and work
of black people
here to react. As part of our
week, long series on cancel
culture senior, editor of reason,
Robby suave. I have suave
good morning
good morning,
Steve it this particular book
life of a klansman,
its to discuss the story and
significance to national
reckoning with racism.
You would think that would be a
conversation. People would like
to have given that some people
are talking about this
particular topic right now
absolutely,
and you would think it would be
a conversation that would not
offend people on the progressive
left.
My understanding of the book is
that it, you know, take as view
that there is a degree of
complicity in having had
Anna says tore, who benefited
from racism, which you know,
which is kind of something. The
left, actually it believes
so you wouldnt think this would
run afoul of them,
but these students I mean to
read what they said about this
guy online. You would think that
they thought he was the klansman
rather than having had
Anna says tore. Who was a
klansman?
They said it would be violence,
it would be harmful to have this
event
and remember they werent
actually going to have the event
in person. You know, given
everything thats going on, it
was going to be a virtual event.
They thought it was threatening
and putting peoples lives at
risk to have a virtual event.
Discussing this
Steve Tulane says this book
addresses painful truth of past
in Louisiana
it engages with the vibrant
national discussion of
anti racism.
We realize, however, that some
felt strongly that this virtual
author discussion, as planned and
promote wood, give a platform to
white supremacy. As a result, we
made the decision to reschedule
the event.
The actual author of the book,
Edward Ball, says I honor your
sense of injury and yet
disagree with those stories that
they should be silenced.
I think that by opening the
wounds that we have in our
national memory, we might be able
to heal our injuries more
successfully.
He makes a good point
yeah.
Is he absolutely right?
And of course, if you are
support of a college campus
shouldnt, you want to have
uncomfortable but important,
meaningful discussions about
these kinds of topics
thats. What is so interesting
about these students,
a small number of students, but a
very vocal and powerful minority
who want to shut down these
kinds of events?
They have decided on behalf of
everyone else that you cant
discuss issues,
and I dont understand why you
would want to be at a college
campus if you think that you
dont have anything to learn
and you reject the notion that
you should be taught or that you
should have something to learn,
which is what this small number
of activists seem to think
Steve Robby. That last point is
so important,
because when I went to college
back in the day there were
people saying everything,
every side of every issue is
discussed openly on my campus,
but now its becoming harder and
harder to hear certain
viewpoints.
Ultimately, if you dont like
something that somebody is going
to say just dont go to that
event,
dont turn on your computer to
watch it
right
right,
dont, appoint yourself like some
kind of dictator who gets to
decide for other people what
sort of events they get to learn
from
exactly, as you said,
tune out.
If it offends you so much,
dont assert that power on.
Transcript generated on 2020-08-13.