More than 20 protestors gathered on the grass in front of Maxwell Hall, holding signs with statements such as ‘We are all free’ and ‘Racism does not belong in a democracy’ during political commentator Michelle Malkin’s visit to campus Thursday.

The College Republicans welcomed Malkin, who spoke to a largely conservative crowd in Maxwell Auditorium at 7 p.m. as part of the Young America’s Foundation’s Reagan 100 Lecture Series, commemorating the 100th anniversary of former President Ronald Reagan’s birth. Her speech, ‘Repressive Civility and the Criminalization of Conservatism,’ addressed negative actions and feelings between liberal- and conservative-minded Americans.

Protestors gathered because of apparent racism in one of Malkin’s books, ‘In Defense of Internment: The Case for Racial Profiling in World War II and the War on Terror,’ published in 2004. The book argues the creation of internment camps for Japanese-Americans was not fueled by racism but by a genuine security need, according to the book jacket.

Malkin’s views on internment angered Laura Hirahara, a second-year College of Law student who was one of the main coordinators of the protest, as well as third-year law student Cindy Trinh. Hirahara is the granddaughter of two Japanese-Americans who met at a preliminary holding center before they were sent to an internment camp in Arkansas.

Protestors repeated a rhyming chant as attendees entered Maxwell Auditorium. Those attending the speech were respectful toward the protesters, Hirahara said, and there were no issues between them. 

At one point during the speech, the protesters could be heard yelling from outside. Malkin paused briefly before continuing and said the best thing to do when ‘temper tantrums’ occurred was to ignore them. Situations like these happen due to ‘liberal intolerance,’ Malkin said.

Malkin provided numerous examples of violence and unjust actions for which Democrats ‘blame righty,’ despite the lack of political affiliation in most cases.

‘I actually agree with Obama on one point,’ Malkin said, laughing. ‘People are far too eager to lay the blame on those who don’t think the same as they do.’

Malkin also commended Michelle Obama’s efforts to create military appreciation programs.

The College Republicans were pleased with the passion for politics shown during the speech, which highlighted the need for ‘logical and informed’ political debate, according to an e-mail statement from the organization.

The campus should be an oasis for diverse political thought, according to the statement. The College Republicans said they hope Malkin’s speech encouraged the campus to increase tolerance toward all political viewpoints.

During the Q-and-A session, the focus turned to the influence of academic freedom and balance on college campuses in regard to politics and religion.

A member of the audience spoke out and told the story of his son’s suicide after a biology professor challenged his son’s religious faith. He said tolerance works both ways.

In response, Malkin commented on the necessity for college campuses to be safe zones for students. She spoke of her own experiences as a socially conservative student at liberal Oberlin College.

Malkin also addressed the portrayal of public figures in the media, especially on television, in which people are turned into ‘caricatures.’ Blogging is one of Malkin’s preferred forms of media, as she can make corrections and updates honestly, she said. 

Malkin said she has made mistakes and apologized for them before, and she attributes her thick skin to her good sense of humor and optimism.

Said Malkin: ‘My mistakes do not define what I stand for.’

brvannos@syr.edu

Published on March 6, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Breanne: brvannos@syr.edu | @bre_vann