Wayne State University surprised many in the metro Detroit community with a decision that was clearly not studied carefully enough. “Retiring” the Helen Thomas Spirit of diversity Award in the media due to political pressure was not only unbecoming of a respectable public university administration, it was also a strategic mistake. Universities have long been the bastion of free speech and diversity of viewpoints. Ironically, WSU canceled an award in journalism that was given for diversity, a value that some in the administration have refused to protect.

Having a commitment to diversity is not supposed to be just a slogan that we all drag out when it’s comfortable and politically-correct to do so. Rather, diversity, for those who believe in it, is a value upon which the progress of our nation is based. Not only is it the diversity of colors and languages and foods and cultures, but perhaps most importantly, the diversity of ideas and view points, that we as Americans benefit from. Being an excellent academic institution requires the embrace of a diversity of thought and viewpoints; the type of diversity that fosters an environment where students, teachers and researchers are exposed to a civil and healthy debate on every issue, including the Middle East conflicts. 

Ms. Thomas’ remarks at a recent conference in Dearborn, which apparently drew the attention of the ADL and other supporters of Israel, were, if controversial, at least partially true. She said that as an American journalist, you can call the president of the United States any name in the book, but Israel and Zionism are off limits. These comments were based on her decades-long observations as a journalist and on the defamation in retaliation for her recent comments about Jews in Palestine.

We all have a right to agree or disagree with certain statements, and certainly the university is not obligated to name an award after anyone. However, I would submit to Wayne State officials that their decision should not have been based on the statements themselves, which may or may not be true, but rather based on the preservation of a bedrock principle in higher education — all scholars and professionals should be encouraged to express their viewpoints, within liberal boundaries. We can all agree that not all speech should be tolerated. However, it is clear that Helen Thomas’ statements, while disagreeable to many, were neither hateful nor dangerous. Thomas’ comments were simply unpopular to an influential segment of the population — supporters of Israel. This is not new. The ADL and others threatened the University of Michigan with legal action several times between 2003 and 2007, bringing immense pressure on university officials in Dearborn and Ann Arbor to take a variety of actions including shutting down a photo exhibit displaying Israel’s atrocities in Palestine and canceling a reservation for two conferences sponsored by the movement to divest from Israel. They have taken such action at numerous universities across the country, clearly attempting to help discourage and silence debate on the situation in Palestine.

Israel’s supporters such as the Anti-Defamation League have thus far failed to completely stifle debate on college campuses. Our campuses are a vital free speech zone in which all but the most dangerous of hate speech must be preserved. Furthermore, debate about foreign policy, especially in the Middle East, should not only be preserved, but encouraged. We can no longer rely on tainted politicians and decision makers to formulate a policy which truly serves our national interest. They have failed repeatedly in this responsibility.

If the WSU administration fails to reverse its decision, and instead upholds this mistake, undermining academic and journalistic freedom, there will be negative consequences. WSU’s image as a center for free thought and learning in the region will be diminished amongst not only those who agree with Helen Thomas, but also those who value academic freedom and debate more than saving face for a particular political movement.

The author is a local attorney and activist.