We view the sexist and anti-intellectual views expressed by Ms. Schlafly as offensive and feel an honorary degree from our university is completely inappropriate. While we support her right to speak her mind we also wish to use our own right to free speech. Regardless of your political convictions, if Ms. Schlafly's views on the rights of women (especially the status of married women) are completely out of touch with what you believe, then join us in protesting at commencement.
A few interesting quotations attributed to Ms. Schlafly:
1) "By getting married, the woman has consented to sex, and I don't think you can call it rape."
-Phyllis Schlafly, March 29, 2007
(http://www.sunjournal.com/story/205234-3/LewistonAuburn/Schlafly_cranks_up_agitation_at_Bates/)
Is it justifiable to say that a woman loses her rights to her own body when getting married? Is it right for Schlafly to silence all those who have suffered because of their husbands' actions by telling them that their suffering is part of their duty?
2) "It is long overdue for parents to realize they have the right and duty to protect our children against the intolerant evolutionists."
-Phyllis Schlafly, December 29th, 2004
(http://www.eagleforum.org/column/2004/dec04/04-12-29.html)
Schlafly claims that intelligent design is unfairly being censored in the classroom. She portrays evolution as a ridiculous theory and evolutionists as backwards people who reject any controversy. These attacks polarize the discussion to a point where the intellectual freedom of both sides is harmed. How is the University's mission of rational discussion of evidence furthered by the comments of Ms. Schlafly?
More to come, and hopefully some commentary on these quotations by student members (message the admins if you feel so inclined)
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Contacts to express your views:
Chancellor Wrighton Wrighton@wustl.edu.
Jane Stone, coordinator of the Board of Trustees: jane_stone@wustl.edu
William Danforth, Chancellor Emeritus: 314-935-9850.
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Dear everyone interested in participating in this protest,
We have three aspects of this protest we would like everyone to acknowledge as we move forward.
1) We need to act as one when responding to this decision by the university. We will use this group and the meetings to come to focus our efforts and act in cooperation with each other.
2) We need to maintain a level of respect in our actions so as not to jeopardize our very right to protest.
3) The opinions that Schlafly represents do not reflect the opinions of a political party and therefore we do not need to use labels and political affiliations in garnering support or presenting criticism. This is an issue everyone from all political backgrounds can get behind.
Thank you all for supporting this effort.
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