2008 Woodie Awards
Shouting students reflect poorly on peers
Dan Halverson
Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: Opinion
A couple weeks ago, Ward Connerly came to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to speak out against affirmative action.
Interestingly enough, however, he didn't find himself preaching to the choir. Most of the attendees were staunchly in opposition to Connerly's position, and their various paraphernalia combined with verbal criticism made that quite clear.
Connerly encountered an even more outspoken and hostile crowd at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where he abruptly left the stage after being repeatedly interrupted by disrespectful attendees.
Signs and shouting won the day, I suppose.
Just last Sunday, Karl Rove, former political advisor to President Bush, spoke before about 1,200 people at the University of Iowa. He was heckled relentlessly, and two individuals even tried to go so far as to make a citizen's arrest on him for his "crimes while a member of the Bush administration." To the cheers of the crowd, he was asked if he cries about what's transpired in Iraq and what he thinks about Keith Olbermann calling him the "worst person ever." It was truly intellectual stuff.
Last year, Andrew Meyer of the University of Florida made a name for himself (for 15 minutes, anyway) by getting tasered during a John Kerry speaking engagement. And while his famous line, "Don't tase me, bro!" will go down in YouTube history as one of the truly funny clips that people on both sides of the political aisle can laugh at, his outburst is far from being an isolated case.
From Columbia to Florida to the Midwest to UC-Berkeley, many college students across the country seem to have few reservations about acting like disrespectful fools in hopes of "zinging" a well-known speaker at their respective school. It's like a contest, with the person making the most insidious comment or question winning a free round of cheap beer or campus coffee.
And it looks bad.
Not just for the people like Andrew Meyer at UF or the wannabe cops at UI, but for college students everywhere. It reinforces the stereotype among the older generations that we are disrespectful, antagonistic and/or "just a bunch of kids."
Interestingly enough, however, he didn't find himself preaching to the choir. Most of the attendees were staunchly in opposition to Connerly's position, and their various paraphernalia combined with verbal criticism made that quite clear.
Connerly encountered an even more outspoken and hostile crowd at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where he abruptly left the stage after being repeatedly interrupted by disrespectful attendees.
Signs and shouting won the day, I suppose.
Just last Sunday, Karl Rove, former political advisor to President Bush, spoke before about 1,200 people at the University of Iowa. He was heckled relentlessly, and two individuals even tried to go so far as to make a citizen's arrest on him for his "crimes while a member of the Bush administration." To the cheers of the crowd, he was asked if he cries about what's transpired in Iraq and what he thinks about Keith Olbermann calling him the "worst person ever." It was truly intellectual stuff.
Last year, Andrew Meyer of the University of Florida made a name for himself (for 15 minutes, anyway) by getting tasered during a John Kerry speaking engagement. And while his famous line, "Don't tase me, bro!" will go down in YouTube history as one of the truly funny clips that people on both sides of the political aisle can laugh at, his outburst is far from being an isolated case.
From Columbia to Florida to the Midwest to UC-Berkeley, many college students across the country seem to have few reservations about acting like disrespectful fools in hopes of "zinging" a well-known speaker at their respective school. It's like a contest, with the person making the most insidious comment or question winning a free round of cheap beer or campus coffee.
And it looks bad.
Not just for the people like Andrew Meyer at UF or the wannabe cops at UI, but for college students everywhere. It reinforces the stereotype among the older generations that we are disrespectful, antagonistic and/or "just a bunch of kids."
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Wil Hass
posted 3/13/08 @ 1:31 AM CST
As a member of the "older generations," I'm not sure hacks like Ward Connerly, let alone Karl Rove, deserve respect. They represent the entrenched power structures who continue to oppress the disadvantaged. (Continued…)
Edgar Pearlstein
Edgar Pearlstein
posted 3/13/08 @ 11:49 AM CST
A good article, Mr. Halverson. The way to show disagreement with a speaker is ddon't applaud and don't react to his jokes.
Mike Lawson
posted 3/13/08 @ 6:21 PM CST
A well written, thoughtful piece Mr. Halverson. I am always amazed at the paradoxical rantings of liberals like the first person to comment on this column, those who profess to stand for tolerance, free speech, etc. (Continued…)
John
posted 3/14/08 @ 5:42 PM CST
A student who disagrees with a campus speaker has an almost unlimited number of outlets through which to express his displeasure. There are rare occasions when campuses and groups invite speakers to do little more than create controversy (Achmedinijad at Columbia). (Continued…)
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