Support

I commend you for the fine job you did in the latest Ithaca College Quarterly issue and President Williams for her leadership and the measures she adopted or supported in response to the tragic events of September 11.

Civilized people around the world grieve anytime innocent lives are lost, whether it is due to natural or human causes. I understand and share the pain that we all felt from this tragedy. I felt the pain closely, because Derek Statkevicus ’93 was a student of mine, and we developed a close relationship. Just a few days ago I was writing a letter of recommendation for another alum. As I was going through my file I ran into one that I wrote for Derek when he was applying for the School of Business peer advisers program, and it brought tears to my eyes.

At the same time, I understand that your office and the president’s office were flooded with angry calls and e-mails for the publication of the Asma Barlas essay. While I do not agree with all that Professor Barlas wrote in her essay, I don’t think she said much that was new or that one might not have read or heard in U.S. media such as the New York Times or CNN. Should these media be called anti-American for airing views of those critical of U.S. government foreign policies? I think not. They presented a variety of views in their pursuit of objective journalism.

Freedom of expression and respect for diversity of ideas are deeply held American values that set this nation apart from many others. I submit that they should not be compromised under any circumstances as long as they do not propagate prejudice and hate.

Hormoz Movassaghi
Associate Professor, School of Business