Recent content by Hook

Thanks for your comment on the Guardian. I am not a regular reader, and only became aware of this situation we are discussing because the article was posted here a few days ago. As I said earlier, I fully support student rights to peacefully protest. I also believe that the university is...

Call me old fashioned, but I disagree that “refusing to debate” can ever be seen as a strong position in an educational environment. IMO, security should have been provided, the movie should have been screened, and it should have followed by a panel discussion during which it could be...

Good post. I think you make several valid points. Just one point of clarification: I was not arguing for agnostic learning, nor do I even think that’s possible. All universities have an intellectual philosophy based on how they want to prepare students for the real world. I would hope that they...

I assumed that if they were evil enough to do it once, then they would just keep doing so. My point was that, in either case, democracy is ruined, and it’s just of question of who becomes dictator. We could hope for a benevolent dictator, and a return to elections someday, but that could take a...

There is some truth in that, but intolerance is a slippery slope. Would hate to see us fight fascism only by becoming more authoritarian and insular. Let’s try a hypothetical. What do we do if the GOP nominates a real, dyed-in-the-wool Neo-Nazi for President in 2024? Do we allow the election to...

As far as the threat of violence, I'm only going by what the article said. "The rearranged screening had been due to take place at the university’s Gordon Aikman lecture theatre at 6pm on Wednesday, evening but several hours earlier, its doorways were blocked by masked protesters. University...

Maybe their hidden profile says they're a w@nker, and they're afraid of oversharing.

First of all, what is the point of studying history if not to inform our choices about the present and future? The leap from that silent movie to today's issues with race relations is not long. Again, my answer to your questions is yes. The academic world is supposed to be about understanding...

Never suggested that students shouldn’t be allowed to peacefully protest. Unfortunately, it was the threat of violence that caused the university to delay the showing. Using a threat of violence to suppress a different point of view - no matter how repugnant - is not a good look, even for...

You make a good point. When fascists are denied a direct platform, they find other ways to sir the shit.

I can offer an example from my misspent college days. I recall a history class that involved watching an old silent movie called Birth of a Nation. Not sure if you know the film, but basically, it was a recruiting film for the KKK! As far as I know, none of my old classmates became KKK members...

Yes, of course. How else do we educate the next generation if we don’t show them how wrong bigotry is? Here in the US, the GOP is trying to bury education about the history of slavery. This is something I oppose very strongly.

I was referring to class versus identity politics in general, and not specifically to the UK’s situation.

Have been thinking about the rise of fascism and the belief in free speech, and wondering if the former can be fought without totally trashing the latter (and especially in academic environments). In the past, I have tried to express my support of the Trans community. I hate bullying in all its...