speech: UBC rallies around Thobani after backlash
Ai Lin Choo, The Ubyssey, UBC

A University of British Columbia professor's outspoken critique of American foreign policy has sparked a nation-wide furor, raising questions about the limits of free speech in Canada.

At the Women's Resistance Conference in Ottawa Oct. 1, women's studies professor Sunera Thobani said U.S. foreign policy is "soaked in blood."

Thobani spoke out against violent U.S. retaliation to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, and said not enough attention was being paid to the suffering U.S. aggression had inflicted on nations like Iraq.

"There can be no women's emancipation, in fact no liberation of any kind for women will be successful unless it seeks to transform the fundamental divide between the North and South, between Third World people and those in the West who are now calling themselves Americans," Thobani said.

Thobani received strong condemnation for her remarks from a number of politicians, including federal cabinet ministers.

Since the conference, UBC academics have rallied around Thobani, insisting she has a right to free expression.

Tineke Hellwig, chair of UBC's women studies program, said that although some faculty members do not necessarily agree with Thobani's statements, the department fully supports the professor. Hellwig said in cases like this, principles of academic freedom and freedom of speech must be upheld.

She added it was essential that people read and understand Thobani's remarks in the full context of her speech.

"UBC students are intelligent and bright, and what any person hears should be critiqued and discussed," Hellwig said. "It's essential that people see different sides to an issue."

In a statement issued to the public, UBC Vice-President Academic and Provost Barry McBride defended Thobani's right to free speech and called her remarks a "cornerstone of university culture."

"This is the stuff of democracy, a core value that our society seeks to protect in its struggle against terrorism," McBride wrote.

While many have called Thobani's remarks "anti-American," "hateful" and "disgraceful," a number of UBC students have disagreed with the labels.

"She's being demonised because she's a woman, and of colour, and a strong woman of colour," said Emily Elder, a second-year arts student. "Does she have the right to speak out? Of course she had the right to speak out. She's a politician, she's a woman, she's a person, she's a citizen of this country and every citizen of this country has a right to speak.

"I'm so proud that someone stood up there, and with the anger that all of us are feeling, and said what needed to be said."

"I don't think [Thobani] sounds hateful. I think she's just voicing another point of view and I think it's great that she has a voice," said Jen Shaw, a third-year women's studies student. "I think this has a lot to do with the fact that she's female and of colour. That's why they're attacking her, and that's why she got front page."

Other students said Thobani's comments were out of place.

Michelle Miller, a UBC graduate student from the United States, said Thobani's statement that the U.S. is more of a threat than terrorism was "absurd."

"I can understand where some of her anger and rage is coming from, but I think it's an ignorant and uninformed opinion," Miller said. "But I don't think she should not have spoken out. I think at this time, we need prophetic voices."

Student association President Erfan Kazemi said he felt the timing of Thobani's speech was "inappropriate," but conceded post-secondary institutions are places where opinions should be voiced and debated.

"I think the main thing is that we're in a society where our democracy is tested by what people say," Kazemi said.

Thobani has refused to comment since her speech on Oct. 1. According to Hellwig, the department of women's studies supports her decision to keep a low profile.

"The terrorist attacks were terrible and I know that Thobani fully agrees with that, so one has to examine, investigate and be open to these issues," said Hellwig.

Faculty members have been asked to sign a letter in support of Thobani.

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