Mixed feelings about McNair
Should he stay or should he go?
Tate Delloye
Issue date: 2/24/07 Section: News
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Many students have shown outrage and CU has voiced its disapproval. But there is nothing that can be done about English instructor Josh McNair's controversial views of white supremacy expressed in an essay entitled, "Organization, Cooperation and Action."
The essay won a prize in 2004 from the white supremacist group Stormfront. McNair's writing has caused some student groups on campus to voice concern.
"I don't feel so great about him teaching at my school. I respect the University's decision to keep him as a teacher, but I was shocked to find out that he was part of our faculty," said Kara Zucker, co-chairwoman of Holocaust Awareness Week.
Zucker is worried that McNair is going to cause trouble during next week's keynote speech for Holocaust Awareness Week. Debra Lipstadt is set to speak on Wednesday in the Glenn Miller Ballroom. Lipstadt is a long time critic of David Irving, a noted Holocaust denier.
McNair formed a student group, Student Advocates for Free Expression, that sponsored a speech by Irving in September of 2004.
"I'm really concerned that there will be a problem during Debra's presentation. If Josh offends her, it would be disrespectful to her and my organization," Zucker said.
Emem Ekiko, president of the Black Student Association feels much the same way.
"Having a narrow-minded professor is counteracting the University's actions taken towards diversity. The University is hypocritical and simply paying a lot of lip service to diversity," Ekiko said.
Max Karson, author of The Yeti, sheds a different light among the strong opponents of McNair. Although he disagrees with McNair's beliefs he accepts the idea that McNair should still be allowed to teach at the University.
"As long as he's not discriminating against students, then he should totally be allowed to teach. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion," Karson said.
The university is not supporting McNair's offensive beliefs by allowing him to continue teaching, and there is nothing CU can do without any evidence that McNair's views are interfering with his teaching.
"We can't just launch an investigation without having a probable cause, there must be some evidence that he has violated a code of conduct," said CU Spokesman Bronson Hilliard.
"Do you want to attend an institution that seeks out people with the same political ideology as our own? Do you want that to be a test for admission to the University and other programs?" Hilliard asked.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Tate Delloye at tate.delloye@thecampuspress.com.
Please comment on this story
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 7
Deborah E. Lipstadt
posted 2/25/07 @ 6:03 AM MST
From my perspective, Mr. McNair is welcome to attend my lecture. He might actually learn something about David Irving, a man who was declared by Judge Charles Gray of the Royal High Court, to be a liar, Holocaust denier, a man with racist and antisemitic views, whose claims about history are a "travesty. (Continued…)
J201
posted 2/27/07 @ 6:24 PM MST
A white supremacist is someone who wishes to rule over others races/ethnicities.
A white separatist is simply one who prefers to live amongst people like themselves, not rule over them. (Continued…)
John Ubele
posted 2/27/07 @ 7:36 PM MST
From my perspective it would appear that Mrs. Lipstadt is happy that Mr. Irving had spent nearly a year in prison for freely expressing his opinions which are supported by facts about the holocaust. (Continued…)
harold incandenza
posted 3/01/07 @ 11:04 AM MST
John Ukulele, you saying in all of your years of public schooling that nobody ever once uttered the name Stalin? God help you if you're paying tuition right now, because you sure don't pay attention. (Continued…)
Joe Average
posted 3/12/07 @ 9:22 PM MST
How utterly ridiculous that the president of the BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION is pointing the finger at somebody else and charging racism.
If Mr. McNair had started the WHITE STUDENT ASSOCIATION there would be pandemonium on campus. (Continued…)
C. Kem
posted 3/12/07 @ 9:52 PM MST
I fail to understand Mr./Mrs. Ekiko is saying. So a college is somehow better than Mr. McNair if they don't let him write? If they don't allow him his own opinions? Ok, if he's pushing it on students, that may be one thing. (Continued…)
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