Posted on 11/07/2023 6:23:31 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
MADISON, WI - Controversial conservative commentator Ben Shapiro returned to UW-Madison campus for the first time since 2016, sparking new local conversations about freedom of speech and rhetoric surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Shapiro titled his talk Monday "Stop Being Apologetic about the Superiority of Western Values," part of Young America's Foundation's Free to Choose Lecture Series.
The Chairman of Young Americans for Freedom at UW-Madison, Harrison Wells, said conservatives at college campuses across the country are being treated unfairly. "Free speech is an issue on every college campus."
"We wanted to bring a prominent conservative speaker to show that conservatives are here on campus we're strong we're loud we promote conservative values," Chairman Harrison Wells said.
But those protesting outside Memorial Union called Shapiro's language "divisive."
"(We're) having discussions with the community about how campus can be safe, and all of the communities affected by his rhetoric are safe," Tasha said.
Shapiro's speech focused largely on the current conflict in the Middle East. "Your civilization is better than Hamas's and better than those who sympathize with Hamas and you should not be shy about that," he said.
The Editor Emeritus of the Daily Wire and host of "The Ben Shapiro Show" has been known for controversial views on the LGBTQIA+ community, and has also held a strong stance about the Palestinian population, equating them with terrorists or supporting terrorists in multiple articles and interviews.
"It is not, quote unquote, Islamophobia to point out that defending Hamas is repulsive or that a peculiarly small number of Muslims seem to be disassociating from Hamas or calling for their surrender."
Protestors said that kind of messaging is Islamophobic, and dangerous.
"At the end of the day there's a genocide going on in Palestine and so protesting a genocide shouldn't equate with terrorism in my opinion," Tasha said.
During his remarks Shapiro took aim at a statement put out by UW-Madison Dean of Students Christina Olstad after the October 7th attacks:
"We are reaching out to student organizations whose members may be particularly affected by the recent acts of violence in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. We are committed to supporting you during this profoundly difficult time.
First, UW-Madison has reached out to our enrolled students from Israel and the Palestinian Territories to provide the latest information, resources, and support.
Second, a key priority was to ensure that all students studying abroad in the region were reported to be safe. We are in active contact with them to advise about travel and provide other means of support. Those efforts will continue for as long as is needed."
Shapiro called the statement vague. "No one could tell what those acts of violence were, or who had perpetrated them."
"And so 'Hamas fans' must be given moral credibility," he said. "The university wouldn't want to come down too hard on the side of civilization, that might look discriminatory."
UW Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin did put out a statement days later, which started by condemning the "vicious terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians," and shared concern that waves of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia could rise.
At the speech, Shapiro brought up part of Mnookin's statement, where she said that those in "roles like hers" should not comment on global events.
Based on that Shapiro questioned the University's past statements on the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis Police Officer -- a national event happening in a state neighboring Wisconsin.
At the end of his remarks, Shapiro held a Q&A in which he encouraged anyone with opposing views to come to the front of the line.
The event was hosted by the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership, GOP Badgers, and Young Americans for Freedom at UW-Madison.
Thanks for standing UP, Kids! Proud of ya! :)
The Berkeley of the Midwest.
Yep. :(
<< Controversial conservative >>
The obligatory modifier.
<< “(We’re) having discussions with the community about how campus can be safe, and all of the communities affected by his rhetoric are safe,” Tasha said. >>
Right, because defending the 1st Amendment and calling out a jihadi terrorist org for what it is is just so triggering and threatening.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.