After rescinding invitation, University of Michigan offers Alice Walker new speaking engagement
After rescinding Alice Walker's original speaking invitation, the University of Michigan has once again invited the Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Color Purple to give a talk in Ann Arbor — but this time at a new event.
AP Photo
Her talk, however, will not be at the CEW's 2014 50th anniversary celebration. Walker has already been uninvited for that event.
Walker had agreed to speak at the CEW's celebration before the center rescinded the invitation. It's relatively unusual in academia for a college to invite a renowned author to speak and then subsequently disinvite him or her, and the perceived snub caught a fair amount of media attention.
On her blog, Walker said her agent was told the rescinded invitation was due to Walker's outspoken criticism of Israel.
However, CEW director Gloria D.Thomas denied that donors had any bearing on the decision. Instead, she said, Thomas decided that Walker was not the right choice as keynote speaker for the "celebratory nature" of the center's anniversary.
In a memo sent to faculty on Friday, U-M Provost Martha Pollack reiterated "the university's firm commitment to free speech," saying the university "has a long history of hosting speakers who bring a wide variety of perspectives, and events that focus on challenging topics."
She added: "At the same time, we respect the right of individual academic units to make decisions about whom they invite to campus, consistent with university principles and values. The Center for the Education of Women has apologized for the way the interaction with Ms. Walker was handled and has made clear to me that their decision was not driven by the content of speech. Their decision to withdraw the invitation was based solely on the celebratory nature they hoped to achieve at their anniversary event."
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
martini man
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 2:09 a.m.
This anti-Semitic racist zealot should be allowed to speak ...But anyone who would actually agree with her is pathetic. And also a lot of other things .
annarbor28
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 6:05 p.m.
The liberals in Ann Arbor and elsewhere are hypercritical of Israel but ignore the horrible treatment of girls, women and gays in the Islamic states. Gays are routinely sentenced to prison for 10 years in Gaza if they are gay, that's the crime. The Israelis got out of Gaza and left beautiful farms and houses intact. The Palestinians tore all of this down and instead installed rocket launchers, to fire missiles on Israel. Why would Israel give up any land acquired in wars when they were attacked, so as to have the Palestinians set up more launchers? The Palestinians also routinely desecrate Christian and Jewish religious sites, so why would they give these to Palestinians, who never have wanted peace. Check out the Hamas Charter, in which it is decreed that Jews should be hunted down and killed, and the role of women is to breed and support those fighters who destroy Israel. I would think that the smart people at UM on this comment section would know better than to support Islamists with horrible human rights records, but that is the "cool" thing to do, support Arabs, and castigate Israel.
akbear
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 8:39 p.m.
Thank you for your well researched comments. For these reasons I no longer call myself a liberal. Hard to understand all the hatred for the Jewish people which numer just 13 million in the world.
annarbor28
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 4:20 p.m.
Apartheid is a catch phrase, which means nothing in this context. Israel is the only country in the Middle East where Christians, Jews and Muslims mingle freely. The Arabs in the West Bank have beautiful housing. The people in Gaza have declared war on Israel , and shoot rockets in, led by Hamas. Israel has had many people blown up, of all faiths, by Islamic terrorists, and has to protect itself. How many times have you been to Israel and the West Bank and seen how high the standard of living is for all faiths? How religious sites are protected, as opposed to destroyed in many Islamic countries? Would you rather support monarchies and dictatorships in the Islamic countries? Right now, "Arab and Muslim" is "cool" for liberals, and Jews and Israel aren't. With no reality checks, such as the way women and gays are treated in places like Yemen, Gaza, Iran, etc etc etc.
MichU
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 5:32 p.m.
It's complex, but the "occupation" doesn't help.
Joel A. Levitt
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 4:20 p.m.
Which UM incompetent is responsible for this situation?
annarbor28
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 1:53 p.m.
So stop using products invented in Israel, one of which would be many essential components for cell phones, and many drugs and medical inventions. Arabs in Israel have a much higher standard of living than elsewhere in the Arab world. There is freedom of religion in Israel, which is not found in Islamic countries, where Christians are routinely imprisoned. Look what happened to the Coptic Christians under the rule of the Muslim Bros in Egypt. They were persecuted, and their churches were burned, which was one reason that the military has taken over.. Is it better to fund Hamas in Gaza, who subjugate females and imprison gays? Females can't dance, play music, read whatever books they want in Gaza. They do have to cover themselves completely, or risk arrest by the omnipresent religious police. It always amazes me how liberals in Ann Arbor support governments such as Hamas in Gaza and other Islamic states, and tolerate oppression there, but march for women's and gay rights in the US.
MichU
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 5:21 p.m.
It's okay to be critical of Israel. Israelis are critical of Israel. It's important to support democracy there and elsewhere in the world, as much as here, since extremist elements need to be challenged.
Davidian
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 3:50 p.m.
I don't necessarily disagree with you, but Israel is an apartheid state and is not above reproach.
Watcher
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 1:08 p.m.
So embarrassing. The University has denied reasons for uninviting her. I want to see the University explain why she was uninvited. Speakers with controversial or even despised views promote understanding. The law school once invited arch-segregationist Ross Barnett to speak at its Lawyers Club. It was a great event, The building was packed to hear Barnett defend segregation laws. The school's only black student, Harry Edwards, asked Barnett if his views were based on the theory that blacks were inferior humans. Barnett said that was true. He then cited a court decision holding that blacks were inferior. The audience howled. Harry Edward became a highly regarded federal judge. He is the Chief Judge Emeritus on the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Davidian
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 11:26 a.m.
U-M's motto should be "Diverse Like Me"
simone66
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 3:44 a.m.
Alice Walker should just politely decline and move on. The fiasco of the CEW invitation/dis-invitation is too rude to ignore.
Jamal Kasham
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 2:31 a.m.
What's all the fuss about? I just watched a clip of Walker's view on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUgWFjokVk0 I think it's beautiful to get the perspective of someone like Walker, someone that has no affiliation to either side. Thanks to the UM mishap and the donor that rejected her, I've actually become aware of her and her views on the matter. Looks like their intentions worked in reverse.
Roncerz
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 1:10 a.m.
I am so glad the university re-invited her, although the conduct of the CEW is very disgraceful. But Ms. Walker's acceptance of her 2nd invitation, show her grace and honor. I am a huge fan of Ms. Walker and remember writing a paper on her book, The Color Purple, for an undergrad Anthropology course at the U of M. At that time , her book had been newly published and the film version had come out. At any rate, she is brilliant and she is also precisely spot on with her alleged criticisms of Israel, so more power to her! She is exactly correct and I applaud her (as I did President Jimmy Carter with his book on the apartheid in Israel). So, right, on Ms. Walker! And thank you for overlooking the egregious, embarrassing, major faux pas of the CEW/U of M and agreeing to come and speak with us!! I will be there!
Seasoned Cit
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 12:20 a.m.
I'll bet she declines once she finds out that Blimpy Burger closed!
John
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 2:50 p.m.
And there will of course be 4 articles written about it.
towncryer
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 1:10 a.m.
LOL
annarbor28
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 12:14 a.m.
A marathon in Gaza was recently cancelled because Hamas would not let women run/participate. Alice Walker's strong support of the current government of Gaza, which is not consistent with pro-female ideas, would to me, as a female alum, make her unqualified to speak at a celebratory woman's center event. That is my opinion, and I wonder if annarbor.com will censor my opinion? Gaza marathon: UN cancels race over Hamas ban on women http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21667883
Seasoned Cit
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 12:11 a.m.
Has anyone checked on what her "honorarium" would have been? Just maybe with the announcement of new Capital campaign due this fall, CEW decided that they could find a less expensive speaker.
Belisa
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 11:19 p.m.
WOW ... no, if she rejects it makes her appear the villain (vs UM/CEW and their donors). When she accepts, it will show her compassion and forgiveness and what her true message is ... that all people should at least be given a voice to speak of matters important to them. It is neither an opportunity for retaliation of any sort ... no matter how they paint her. I can't relate to people as her because I did not have her experiences ... but I can relate to pop culture painting a rosy tale when the truth is painful and may not be pleasing toward their agenda. It's a shame ... a real shame but THAT is why there are people like Ms. Walker. I didn't know who she was ... never read her books or saw the movie Color Purple or have time to follow such discussions. And that's a shame too. I will be most happy to hear her speak. And why did you post such a poor picture of her ... she looks like a witch. Of all the images I just searched, she appears appealing and inviting is almost every one, except this one. ??? Anyway ... here's a lot of BS that goes on in our world and it's not often someone speaks from the heart. I'll be looking forward to hearing her speak.
Colorado Sun
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 10:42 p.m.
It looks like the Israel Lobby strikes again!
annarbor28
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 12:08 a.m.
You have no evidence of this. She is controversial on many levels, especially to women.
Barbara Clarke
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 10:33 p.m.
I , for one, do not believe the "explanations" from the U of M folks . . . if I were Ms. Walker, I would decline this re-invitation and move on to bigger and better venues! Shame on the University of Michigan!
nickcarraweigh
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 9:49 p.m.
I wonder if there are academics somewhere who wonder among themselves why they are not taken more seriously
a2citizen
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 9:31 p.m.
Breaking News !!! The replacement speaker is Ann Coulter.
Dog Guy
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 9:22 p.m.
Sometimes perfectly correct; sometimes less correct; always politically correct. . . . Pure Meechigan.
SEC Fan
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 9:09 p.m.
well, at least UM let the money speak...
AlwaysLate
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 8:58 p.m.
Yes, angry authors, whatever they are angry about, would be inconsistent with a celebration. If the UM hosts an "Angry Author" symposium, Ms. Walker could keynote that event. And the UM could uninvited all "happy authors"!
Trouble
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 8:10 p.m.
Invite me, then " uninvite " me. See Ya!
Ric
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 8:02 p.m.
There must be black success stories in Ann Arbor, invite them.
Nerak
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 7:31 p.m.
If I were her, I'd just say. "No thanks."
KMHall
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 9:59 p.m.
There's no reason for her to do that. It would take a lot more than The University of Michigan to truly offend Ms. Walker. She knows who is beholden to whom.
annarbor28
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 5:59 p.m.
From Alice Walker's blog. No sure what academic department will invite her to speak. Who covers reptiles? http://alicewalkersgarden.com/2013/02/human-race-get-off-your-knees-i-couldnt-have-put-it-better-myself/ "Earlier I wrote that David Icke reminded me of Malcolm X. I was thinking especially of Malcolm's fearlessness. A fearlessness that made him seem cold, actually, though we know he wasn't really. All that love of us that kept driving him to improve our lot; often into quite the wrong direction, but I need not go into that. What I was remembering was how he called our oppressors "blue eyed devils." Now who could that have been? Well, we see them here in David Icke's book as the descendants of the reptilian race that landed on our sweet planet… They wanted gold and they wanted slaves to mine it for them. Now gosh, who does this remind us of? I only am asking. You do the work. Apparently their own planet needed this metal to continue its, apparently, long life. Credo Mutwa, Zulu shaman – and I am on my knees here in gratitude that he held on long enough to tell us about this – calls them the Chitauri, which has become my favorite word of all time (well, of this time that I'm learning all this): my partner and I go around saying Oh, Chitauri, whenever we get a glimpse of one or two of the Chitauri offspring, aka Illuminati bloodline families and their puppets, on the telly."
cfsunlet
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 7:41 p.m.
Not having read the book, I am only guessing, but it sounds like Icke is trying to create an imaginary scenario by describing slave holders as lizards in order to help people see enslavement from a non-personal viewpoint?
black_squirrel
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 5:58 p.m.
I think the CEW should be glad to have a well-known Pullitzer prize winning author to speak. She may be critical of Israel policies, but that does not make her anti-semitic. Neither does endorsing some crazy book that some people interpret as anti-semitic. Has she made any statements in the past that go beyond criticism of Israel policies, that are anti-semitic? Whether she is anti-semitic, I don't know. But why not invite her and ask her about it. Ask her, why she recommended Ickes book. You never learn anything if you avoid dialogue. Let's hear what she has to say about civil rights, women's rights, anti-semitism etc. Whether you agree or not, you will probably learn something. But she may not accept the second invitation after that first slap in the face. But I hope she will and that she will confront these issues head-on.
KMHall
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 10:02 p.m.
I'm betting she is not offended and that her (new) talk will be standing room only.
JRW
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 5:56 p.m.
UM trying to do damage control on this one. Donors are calling more shots than the public realizes.
Steve Bean
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 9:40 p.m.
The up voters believe you. The down voters don't. Do you have evidence to support your assertion or do you prefer to appeal to prejudices?
JRW
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 5:55 p.m.
I'm sure a donor was central to the 'disinvite." UM would never admit it. Ms Walker should not accept any more speaking engagements at UM. She doesn't need to do this, and UM has already shown its true colors......not a welcoming place for a wide range of viewpoints.
tori1228
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 1:07 p.m.
you're right: the U-M is not a welcoming place if you're a bigot or a racist.
aaparent
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 9:10 p.m.
@Black Squirrel - I see your point but the argument is circular. I actually find the UM's reason for rescinding the invitation pretty weak. If I assume that their reasons are correct, then the UM just appears very disorganized and ill prepared to host a big event like this for an organization that has done a lot of great things for women over the years. If it is donor pressure, an article in the Huffington Post attributes that to Walker post on her blog stating that one of her agent's told her assistant who then told Walker that this was the reason. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/16/alice-walker-uninvited-university-of-michigan-color-purple_n_3769084.html http://alicewalkersgarden.com/2013/08/why-women-need-their-own-money/
black_squirrel
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 8:40 p.m.
The best way for the U of M to counter the appearance of being pressured by wealthy donors is to give a reason for the dis-invitation that makes sense.
aaparent
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 7:02 p.m.
On the CEW website there is a long list of current honor roll donors including corporations who give matching funds and groups. My question about a single donor or a few donors raising questions about the invitation extended is a practical one about process for this event. On the website the list of current honor rolls donors is under the News section. I am not posting the link because it might violate A2.com guidelines to link to a page that lists people's names.
aaparent
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 6:51 p.m.
I am probably naive here, but how are you sure it was a donor who was central to this?
DonBee
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 5:28 p.m.
I hope she accepts, I think this is a far better venue for the type of presentation that I have read transcripts of from her. I think her presentation would have been wasted at the CEW Celebration.
Floyd R. Turbo
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 5:27 p.m.
Israel, noticing the State of Michigan's hard times, votes to subsidize them at $5 billion plus a year for the next sixty years! Thanks Israel! ( The average uninformed 'Merican wouldn't pay a nickel to Ireland, Zamunda, or Israel.. or would gladly take the tax refund they have coming) This Umich story will not go away as quickly as Umich thinks it will. Alice Walker gets the rug pulled out from under her by U of M.. This is a hoot! So Annarbor.com- Which individual at U of M got to make the decision to reinstate a new improved offer of a speaking engagement to Alice Walker?
BhavanaJagat
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 5:25 p.m.
A Stich in Time Saves Nine: It seems the reason to disinvite is reasonable; and I would not say it is commendable as the first invitation involves showing disrespect to the Identity of Man. At a fundamental level, she has no understanding of man's true, or original nature and she has expressed her ignorance by sharing her distaste for people known as 'Jews', and she confirms her ignorance by opposing the State of Isreal. If Free Speech includes the Right to Propagate Ignorance, she deserves her chance to expose it to public view.
aaparent
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 9:40 a.m.
Thank you for explaining what you meant. I think it is a good point that the UM botched handling this by failing to be more careful when extending an invitation to someone as prominent as Alice Walker. Mending their error sooner than later is an optimistic way to look at this. I think the UM lead by Pollack's office should do an internal review of some kind to create a policy or guideline to examine how this happened and learn from it.
BhavanaJagat
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 3:42 a.m.
It appears that a decision to invite her was made in a hurry and the decision to amend it represents a 'repair' process to help the recovery from the potential damage involved. The 'disinvite' should be read as mending a little tear before it becomes too ugly. She represents the ugly face called racial hatred and prejudice and she makes no effort to conceal it. It is my understanding that this issue of Freedom of Speech only gives her the opportunity to divulge her lack of understanding of true human values and the dignity that shapes real human nature.
aaparent
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 9:03 p.m.
I understand your main point that Free Speech should be supported and that airing ideas, even ones many might find upsetting is the purpose of Free Speech. Those who disagree have an open opportunity to express their views in contrast to the speaker. I follow your logic I think. But what does this have to do with the expression: A Stitch in Time Saves Nine?
Jenn McKee
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 5:19 p.m.
Wow. I'll be very intrigued to see how Ms. Walker responds to this conciliatory invitation. It all feels like a public relations game of chess at this point. And the whole situation seems strange from the get-go: why get to the point of inviting someone only to take that invitation back? As another commenter pointed out, this homework should obviously be done beforehand.
Steve Bean
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 9:51 p.m.
Excuse me, I wrote "commencement" when I meant "celebration". Also, Jenn, when I wrote "you'll cover [it], right?", I meant aa.com, not you in particular.
Steve Bean
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 9:36 p.m.
From that point of interest she could take advantage of the increased attention relative to what it would have been beyond those who attend in person by accepting the invitation and speaking. You'll cover her talk if she does accept, right? I imagine other media outlets would as well that wouldn't have covered the commencement.
dancinginmysoul
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 4:48 p.m.
Please decline the invitation. U of M is absurd.
dancinginmysoul
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 3:25 a.m.
Ms. Walker does not need publicity garnered by a really stupid move on the part of U of M. In fact, they're getting pretty good at it. Standing room only. It's Alice Walker.
KMHall
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 10:08 p.m.
No. Please accept the invitation. U of M got itself into an awkward situation. She'll have even more publicity.
zucker
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 4:39 p.m.
She should reject the offer. A different local organization should invite her to speak on the same night as the CEW anniversary event. I would attend! Shame on U of M. This is classless. I expect better from my alma mater.
Michigan Man
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 1:53 a.m.
Go Blue - great move to crap on this woman
annarbor28
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 4:19 p.m.
(cont) It is only because of statement on annarbor.com that I realized she is revered in this milieu for her anti-Israel statements.
annarbor28
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 12:05 a.m.
Rebecca only quoted about motherhood. Alice speaks for herself, in the BBC quote.
KMHall
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 10:11 p.m.
But Rebecca has been estranged from her mother for years, right? If so, why are we quoting her as an expert on Alice's views?
annarbor28
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 4:17 p.m.
I am sure that if there was someone invited who subscribed to the KKK or a virulently anti-Arab viewpoint, they would be disinvited. Walker is more than anti-Israel. She endorses David Icke's viewpoints about lizards and Jews . "On BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs Alice Walker said that Icke's Human Race Get Off Your Knees would be her choice if she could have only one book. (May 2013) A post on her personal blog entitled "Human Race Get Off Your Knees: I couldn't have put it better myself." She called it "amazing," "stunning," "magical," "profound" and "the ultimate reading adventure." Indeed, it "was the first time I was able to observe, and mostly imagine and comprehend, the root of the incredible evil that has engulfed our planet...David Icke reminded me of Malcolm X, especially Malcolm X's quality of "fearlessness." David Ickes is the fearless author who exposed the "Babylonian Brotherhood," as secret society of inter-dimensional lizards who take human form (e.g. Queen Elizabeth and Bob Hope) and operate through the CIA, the Mossad, as well as, a bunch of companies, NGOs, and media organizations. He has exposed the "the Rothschild-Zionist network" and its "satanic black magicians" as engineers of the rise of Hitler and Stalin, as well as the assassination of Lincoln." http://www.asmainegoes.com/content/alice-walker-admires-david-ickes-even-more-barck-obama "My mum taught me that children enslave women. I grew up believing that children are millstones around your neck, and the idea that motherhood can make you blissfully happy is a complete fairytale." (Rebecca Walker: an excellent author, a Yale grad, and Alice Walker's daughter). I actually have been aware of Alice Walker's viewpoints more from a feminist perspective, as I personally accept motherhood as being integrated into feminism. It is only because of the statements on annarbor.com that
Arborcomment
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 1:25 a.m.
A committee prize winner with some rather strange views - ok, we've been there. Heck, our President even won the Nobel Peace Prize - how's that working out?
Colorado Sun
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 10:51 p.m.
This is a Pulitzer Prize winner - not a KKK member.
towncryer
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 5:14 p.m.
Sounds like a South Park episode (the whole lizard thing).
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 4:06 p.m.
I invited Brady Hoke to my house for dinner. Then I found out he likes to eat and talk about football so i uninvited him. Maybe I should have done my homework.
Gretchen Ridenour
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 : 4:32 p.m.
Very well said!
A2comments
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 7:57 p.m.
Well done.
Bear
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 7:06 p.m.
morning tea, at your neighbor's house.
Kea
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 4:31 p.m.
Having uninvited him for dinner, perhaps you could invite him for morning tea. I'm sure he'd be delighted.
aaparent
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 3:47 p.m.
I may not be up to date with all the details, but has it been clarified that the original invitation to Ms Walker was approved or authorized through whatever channels are standard operating procedures within the UM to invite a speaker in for a big event? I thought there was a committee in most departments, sections, etc. that reviews possible guest speakers and then there is some process of getting the invite approved at higher levels. I am sorry if this has been asked and answered in other stories already. I am curious in general about this for UM speakers. How does it work for speakers to be part of an event. I remember last year Andrea MItchell spoke at the Ford Library and for commencement there is a whole process of submitting names and then a decision is made.
aaparent
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 9 p.m.
@seekingsun- thank you for the additional info. and explanation.
seekingsun
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 7:23 p.m.
most academic units (i.e. Math Department, English Department) report up through a Dean (in the case of those two examples, the Dean of LSA), who then reports to the Provost. The U also has hundreds of research centers, some of which are very closely aligned to a Department, and others (like CEW) which report directly to a Vice-Provost. The University has likely a hundred or more visiting speakers coming each week, most are research collaborators giving academic talks within Centers/Departments, others are these sorts of high-profile speakers, like Ms Walker. Like "blueprof" stated, there is no central vetting process for speakers, instead it is handled at the point of who has the resources, and the interest to bring someone to campus. The way this invitation/dis-invitation was handled was very poorly, but I think speaks more about the internal discussion/vetting process/communication strategy within CEW than it does some subversive puppeteering agenda by a University higher up.
aaparent
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 6:48 p.m.
@blueprof- thank you for clarifying. That is interesting and puts this article and chain of events in a better context. I hope that Kellie Woodhouse can include this info in upcoming articles or add it to this one. What is considered an individual unit at the UM vs. a department, e.g. English Department, Math Department. Are they one in the same? The UM is so big, I am unclear what parts of the UM are in an organizational chart reporting to a provost or VP and which ones are exceptions or set up differently as more independent but on the campus.
blueprof
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 5:03 p.m.
For commencement, there is indeed a process for submitting nominations regarding honorary degrees and speakers that goes through review and approval at high levels. But for most speakers on campus, any individual or unit with the resources to invite a speaker can pretty much do so without prior approval from anyone. Those who agree to sign on as hosts are considered the sponsors of the person/event. In the case of a big event for a center like this one, it was likely discussed by several people, such as a committee of organizers and the center leadership. But there is no centralized approval process for these sorts of invitations that requires approval from deans, the provost, or the president (unless those people are also sponsoring the event).
Eduard Copely
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 3:27 p.m.
If she accepts, she is a second fiddle.
KMHall
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 9:57 p.m.
A. Walker does not play second fiddle to anyone. She will happily continue to "call 'em like she sees 'em."
Basic Bob
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 9:37 p.m.
She was first choice. The other speaker is the replacement.
Eduard Copely
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 8:05 p.m.
Oscar Lavista, I said "IF." Her writing is a matter of personal preference. "If" you don't like it, it doesn't mean you are automatically a racist or jewish. Get it? "If."
Oscar Lavista
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 6:23 p.m.
She is NOT a second fiddle no matter what she does.
Colorado Sun
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 4:05 p.m.
I hope she does reject it. The "celebratory" defense to the rescinded invitation is ludicrous. If it was "celebratory" why was she invited in the first place.