Editor,
For those of us who campaigned against UNM’s special treatment of speaker Milo Yiannopoulos, including the waiving of a security fee regularly charged to student groups, it’s been satisfying to see his recent fall from grace due to comments he made last year that appeared to advocate pedophilia.
However, it’s interesting to note that members of our community defending his visit in the name of the First Amendment have been notably silent on the pedophilia comments that led to the cancellation of his book contract and the dis-invitation from speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference. In praising UNM’s treatment of his visit, the Albuquerque Journal wrote, “That’s a smart move that shows the University is committed to free speech and an open exchange of ideas – even those many people may find abhorrent.”
However, they (like many others) have been silent on the recent cancellation of Yiannopoulos’ contracts/speaking engagements. In a letter from many of us in the UNM community, we wrote, “We request community forums to...better define UNM’s policy on protected free speech.”
I’m assuming Yiannopoulos’ comments about violating children, which many, including myself, have found abhorrent, would have placed his right to speak at UNM at risk. However, are his comments about violating the rights of other vulnerable members of our community (e.g., the undocumented, LGBTQ and Muslims) OK?
I think our community would certainly appreciate some clarification on this.
Todd Ruecker
UNM faculty
