Concerning the recent controversy involving gallery owner Jackson Clark and Native American activists, Fort Lewis got it exactly wrong and the big losers are the Native American students and activists themselves.
In canceling Clark’s lecture, the school denied both Clark and the students the important opportunity to air their views and concerns publicly. The result being an end to the discussion by relegating the debate to the media’s news cycle.
The Native American activists may feel they scored a win in this instance, but the future costs will be measurable. What happens when a student organization invites a controversial native rights activist to speak on campus and an opposition group intends to protest?
Fort Lewis will have no choice but to cancel the lecture or otherwise face being labeled hypocritical at best or at worst, racist. The Native American students should be appalled by FLC’s denial of their First Amendment rights along with those of Mr. Clark.
Miles Davies, FLC class of ‘84
Durango
