Free speech Monday

Friends and haters: Join us in a democratic forum 

(in response to “Enough with the pathetic protests,” by Jeff Dickson, April 30)

We are March 1st Solidarity (M1S), the group calling for U.S. troops out of Korea and an end to U.S imperialism from Asia to the Middle East. On April 24, we held a demonstration demanding that the UW withdraw its investments from U.S. military contractors supporting the United States Forces Korea (USFK).

In his article on this demonstration, Jeff Dickson dismissed all student protests as “pathetic.” This shows a crass ignorance of history. It was student protests that helped spark the civil rights movement, end the Vietnam War and bring down the U.S.-backed dictatorships in South Korea.  

What is more disturbing is Dickson’s dismissal of U.S. imperialism in Korea as an “imaginary issue.” That is an insult to the Pyeongtaek farmers who were kicked off their land so the USFK could use it as training grounds to prepare for future wars with China. That is an insult to the women who are trafficked across Asia to be offered as a sexual tribute to the U.S. military. That is an insult to the hundreds of thousands of Korean activists who have protested the Korean government’s support for the Iraq war. That is an insult to the Korean anti-imperialist organizations that have sent letters of support for March 1st Solidarity’s campaign. And that is an insult to all Asian-American students who are tired of being treated like “model minorities” who will stay quiet while U.S. imperialism dominates our homelands. White supremacy comes in many forms, and the Aryan Nation is just one. What about the liberals who tell us to duck and cover when racist students claim that the UW is a European-American institution and we don’t belong here?

Our campaign is relevant because we are fighting for democracy, which is seriously lacking on this campus. We want student and community control over investment decisions. We do not want our taxes and tuition put toward making the guns that target our brothers as sisters from Asia to the Middle East. President Emmert has refused our invitation to a public debate on divestment. For all his talk about free speech, he is afraid to meet his critics in public. Well, we hope that Dickson and all the other haters out there are not so cowardly. We invite them to come debate May 15 at 6 p.m. in Smith 211 to see who really stands for democracy and anti-racism on this campus.  

—Shemon Salam, member of March 1st Solidarity, Jackson School South Asian Studies Masters program 

(in response to “Give Israel a chance on its 60-year anniversary,” by Natalie Sikavi, May 8)

It’s unfortunate that in order to understand the Middle East you must choose to study it in college. I support Israel and your column was well written, but as someone who has studied the region intensely, I must point out some flaws in your argument.

By your definition of a real democracy (free and fair elections), Iran is one move away (abolishing the Council of Guardians) from being a real democracy. Even their parliament has a Christian, a Druze and a Jewish member. I think they have a Zoroastrian seat as well, but I doubt anyone would say Iran is even close to democracy (they aren’t).

From a free press standpoint, you neglect to mention al-Jazeera (which has never shown a beheading on air). The network has also come under fire from at least five Arab governments for “bias,” which sounds suspiciously like a free press in a region of dictatorships.

When Israel offered land for partition, they did so without offering the “right of return” for Arab refugees returning to their homes — a key issue for Arabs. It’s easy to offer a lot when you know it won’t be accepted.

Lastly, I will probably be labeled an anti-Semite for this response. What does that say about the freedom of speech in a real democracy when critics of government policy are accused of racism?

­— Ryan Fishburn

Senior, political science, international studies

(in response to “The politics of fear and paranoia,” by Sandley Chou, May 6)

Chou doesn’t tell the whole story. I guess that’s why it was under the opinion section. Almontaser was pushing a school of thought with her anti-American views. It promotes segregation. The future goal she had was at least 50 percent Arabic students. That’s seclusion and segregation. Yes, there are other schools that do that, but that doesn’t make it right.

Chou blows off that Almontaser is a Sept. 11 denier. Almontaser said, “I don’t recognize the people who committed the attacks as either Arabs or Muslims,” even though they were.  Al-Qaeda has claimed it since the start.

Chou disregards fears of Islamic laws as “irrational.” What about all the Arabic cab drivers in New York City who refuse to pick up blind people who have seeing-eye dogs? It’s not irrational. It is a cruel fact.

Chou also implies the same about fears of sharia law in the United States as unwarranted. Our neighboring Canadian courts now enforce sharia law in cases of divorce, inheritance and family matters. Sharia law does not try to be blind, as our courts try to. Women are at a great disadvantage. Canada accepting the laws hits close to home. How can we accept part of a law that includes death as the punishment for homosexuality? 

A person pushing these wrongs has no place instructing our children. I think that offering Arabic as a language in school is a great idea, but that’s not why she was fired. Next time, tell the whole story, please.

— Rex Rogers

Junior, Spanish