I was surprised to see my words from a letter to the editor I wrote last spring included in an essay by a member of The September 29th Movement (10/9/97).

I did not think what I wrote had such a profound effect on people with such a worldly view. I must admit I was surprised to see my character slandered and my racial heritage questioned by a representative of a movement that is supposed to be representative of diverse voices.

Just imagine the abridgement of one’s “academic freedom” to freely and responsibly debate issues of the day because of threats of personal harassment, public embarrassment and public slander.

Just imagine having one’s family, students and colleagues around the world read that kind of clearly slanderous information with regard to one’s character and race simply because of a diverse opinion. One might conclude that the phrase “civil rights violation” might be an appropriate description.

Now, there are those who try to intimidate anyone who has the courage to disagree with them. I would encourage the Daily to reprint my last letter to the editor from last spring. The quotes that were conveniently used will make sense in their proper context, and my letter in its entirety is certainly more applicable than ever.

Now everyone knows what wrath diversity of opinions brings to those who express them, and lawyers just love to read letters like the one titled “Educate Yourself on Both Sides of the Issue.”

---

Kirk Smith

Associate professor

Director of orchestral activities

---

Editor’s note: The letter to which Kirk Smith refers was printed in the March 7, 1997, edition of the Daily.