Bob CollinsThe University of Minnesota is in the national debate this afternoon because of a decision last week by the Minnesota Student Association to reject a resolution calling for a moment of recognition every 9/11.
Law professor Eugene Volokh, who writes The Volokh Conspiracy blog for the Washington Post reports that MSA representative and Director of Diversity and Inclusion David Algadi “voiced severe criticism of the resolution” because it might inflame anti-Muslim sentiment.
“I am well aware that 9/11 was a devastating tragedy but I am also fearful for the welfare of our Muslim and Middle Eastern students on campus, of which I identify with,” Algadi reportedly said in an email.
In addition there is a particular racial politic present wherein when folks of color do something it becomes a stereotype, when white folks do something it becomes forgotten. Dylann Roof? James Eagan Holmes? Joseph Stack? Timothy McVeigh? When will we start having moments of silence for all of the times white folks have done something terrible?
“There was no reason for any student not to vote on this resolution and much of the dissenting discussion was wildly speculative and unrelated to the resolution itself,” Cameron Holl, a student senator for the College of Liberal Arts, responded, according to the conservative campus magazine, Minnesota Republic. “Additionally, the same people who voted to close discussion early didn’t offer any amendments or changes to the resolution to find compromise and do their due part as a member of forum, which I think shows a lack of effort and respect for other’s opinions and beliefs.”
On its Facebook page, the Minnesota Student Association said the rejection also involved concerns over implementing a moment of recognition.
