First Amendment? Wassat?

"...I don't know anyone here that would want to put any work into increasing hatred." That's Center for Hawaiian Studies director Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa, speaking about threats made to Rebecca Goodman, director of the Academy for Life-Long Learning at UH. The threats caused Goodman to cancel several lectures by anti-sovereignty activist Ken Conklin.

Free speech? Academic freedom? Not on her campus, apparently. Coming from a part of the University that has harbored Haunani Trask's brand of anti-American bile, I find that rich.

Any thoughts?

Comments

Actually, if you read the article, you will see that the quote provided was a comment made in response to why Ms. Kame'eleihiwa is opposed to having Ken Conklin speak at the University campus.

I for one have taken courses in the Hawaiian Studies program, and I would strongly recommend it for locals and newcomers alike. Not only were the courses enlightening in a variety of ways, but I also gained a greater appreciation for being from Hawaii. During my studies, the instructors brought in a number of individuals to discuss issues relating to past and present Hawaiian affairs as well as greater Polynesia.

Granted, being a public university, we all want UH to practice free speech and to have academic freedom. However, it is quite understandable that bringing in someone such as Ken Conklin to share his brand of propaganda and hatered is going to upset some people.

As much as I believe in the right of others to speak their minds, I don't want the university to sponsor individuals or groups that desire to spread hatered and whose only intention is to cause conflict between others. Just because someone has different viewpoints, it is not a valid enough reason to bring them on campus to speak. If this was the only criteria, then where would the difference be in bringing in members of the Klan or other such groups?

In closing, I must say that I continue to find it difficult to understand how some in the community are so very sensitive to the happenings surrounding the Center for Hawaiian Studies. Much of what the Hawaiian people consider sacred has, and continues to be systematically taken from them. The Hawaiian population continues to die from diseases such as diabetes at enormously high rates. Many Hawaiians live well below the poverty line and have been labeled as "dumb" or "lazy" by society, and we have allowed such bullshit to permeate among us. Our prisons and jails are filled with Hawaiian people. Where else in the world can we find a native people treated so badly? And yet, these same individuals that are so quick to speak-out against the Center of Hawaiian Studies, Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa, Haunani Trask, and others, I ask where are they to speak-out against the injustices that are occuring towards a native people whose land they now occupy?

While I vehemently disagree with Ken Conklin's point of view, I feel that he has a right to them. Just as I have a right to disagree. In my opinion, eliminating the forum for a discussion of dissenting points of view is disadvantageous to us all.

The class was comprised of mature adults who chose to hear his point of view. I would trust that they could well hold their own and did not need or care for anyone deciding what they could or could not hear or speak on. To present them with the perception of a threat is horrifying to me both as a Hawaiian and as a mo'opuna. Perhaps it was to them that the greatest disservice was done.

Every opportunity to discuss varying points of view, in a civilized manner, is of significant import to both our culture and society as a whole. Who benefits from creating a hostile atmosphere for debate? Further, what positive change can it bring? When we allow only the sentiments of one group or another to prevail we take too many steps in the wrong direction.

"you will see that the quote provided was a comment made in response to why Ms. Kame'eleihiwa is opposed to having Ken Conklin speak at the University campus."

Fair enough. When I read it this morning, I realize the way I phrased it was slightly inaccurate.

Part of what bothers me is the appearance of implicitly condoning threats to a fellow member of the faculty for scheduling a speaker (in response to a request from her students), merely because Ms. Kame'eleihiwa despises the speaker and his views.

I took several classes in Hawaiian Studies as well, after running out of Hawaiian language classes. One was taught by Lilikala, who I found remarkably eloquent and passionate (versus the face you usually see on the 10 o'clock news) — the same goes for Haunani and Mililani Trask, both of whom I'd worked with as editor of Ka Leo.

I read Lilikala's statement differently, and I think she phrased it quite carefully. She said she would not invite Conklin, not that she'd want to (or could) stop other faculty members from doing so. Then the "increasing hatred" remark, which is a doozy, but to me doesn't override the sentiment that someone else might not agree and bring Conklin in.

Goodman made the decision to cancel, after all. She shouldn't have been made to feel uncomfortable or threatened, so it's her call... but on the other hand, controversial views and heated debates should not be foreign to anyone in higher education.

Threat (from one "angry" man) notwithstanding, I could easily visualise the class taking place, with Conklin "expressing his views" ... but certainly I also see Lilikala Kameeleihiwa and other Native Hawaiian students being on hand to express their views as well. Sadly, even under "free speech," the sheer mass and volume of the latter message would probably drown out the former.

Not that the University of Hawaii hasn't had problems in the past with First Amendment issues... (Heh.)

If you know the email address for Lilikala Kameeleihiwa could you please send it to Kahai Topolinski. Mahalo!

I'm not sure if she checks her e-mail, but I think if you made a stab in the dark at what her address might be (since she is at the University of Hawaii), you might get it on your first or second guess.

http://www.hawaii.edu/dir/

Do a search for the faculty, you will get their contact info.

Kealoha

Post a Comment