Open Letter to President Fiorentino about Trump Rally
34 Comments
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Meg Panichelli
10 years ago
As an alumni I am so saddened that WCU would make the decision to bring such a vocal and proud person about their hate and oppressive views. While free speech and an understanding of the political process is important, Donald trump does not demonstrate this in an educational way. With this decision WCU demonstrates they value money over their student's voices and equality. Please reverse the decision to bring Donald Trump to campus.
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Linda Robinson
10 years ago
I dont not believe the university should allow someone who hates most of the students that attned to hold a rally on their campus.
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Rashonda Dale
10 years ago
PENNSYLVANIA doesn't want trump here ! Remember he was at 711 will 9/11 was happening ! Smh
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Britney Celine Alvarez
10 years ago
I hope Trump's fake ass man weave flies off!
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
You are who you associate yourself with. We all learned that as children. Is is clear the president of WCU aligns with the views of Donald Trump. This is his right. As a president of WCU you have to uphold the values WCU stands for. To allow someone who represents hate to become associated with a University the represents diversity and inclusion is insubordination of your position as a president of WCU
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
You are who you associate yourself with. We all learned that as children. Is is clear the president of WCU aligns with the views of Donald Trump. This is his right. As a president of WCU you have to uphold the values WCU stands for. To allow someone who represents hate to become associated with a University the represents diversity and inclusion is insubordination of your position as a president of WCU
L
Lisa Patrick
10 years ago
You should not perpetuate the false equivalence between hate speech and "an exchange of ideas."
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W C Woods
10 years ago
Featured
As a resident of West Chester and the spouse of a WCU faculty member, I urge the president to support in no uncertain terms the position outlined in this letter.
J
Jennifer Kutney-Soper
10 years ago
MSW Alumna Class of 2011 here. You say that civility and open-minded dialogue is a fundamental value but then you undercut that with the fact that you want to bring a man who espouses hate, violence, racism and xenophobia to your campus. You have an obligation to maintain open civil discourse, sure, but at the expense of the safety of your staff and students? This is not hypothetical, this is real. You have an obligation to your staff and students FIRST. Keep Trump out.
J
Justin bwint
10 years ago
Directly repudiating Trump is tricky but necessary for the culture of tolerance and free thought the admin says they seek to promote. If we do not draw the line at divisive unsubstantiated hate speech, we risk losing the forum entirely. There has to be a line.
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Graham MacPhee
10 years ago
Featured
The university does indeed have a commitment to support free speech. But it also has a commitment to speak out against xenophobia, racism, and intimidation. The Donald Trump campaign uses intimidatory language and encourages violence; as such it moves from being political speech to mounting an assault on the political.
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Mark Nyman
10 years ago
I understand the points you made that we must share ideas and information, but how can you ignore that the rhetoric Mr. Trump throws around is hate speech? Hate speech is a problem and this man orchestrates an environment and ideology that is against everything this campus stands for.
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Anonymous
10 years ago
White people need to stand up against Trump's racism and xenophobia. His words uphold a system of white supremacist violence against people who aren't white. Every person is valuable, but Trump clearly doesn't understand this, as his rallies have led to violence against those who aren't white. Please don't give this dangerous man a platform at your university.
K
Kaylah Swanger
10 years ago
Featured
Very well put. While I agree that Donald Trump holds as much of a right to spew his ideas as anybody else in this country, I do not agree with our university's decision to provide him with a stage to do so considering the nature of the ideas he promotes. As a public institution of higher education with a diverse student body, I truly cannot believe that we are giving this man the attention that he does not deserve in the slightest.
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Wendi
10 years ago
Let the minority of educated minds rule the USA, not some ghetto dog who parrots the mindless majority
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Ben Kuebrich
10 years ago
I agree completely with the framing of this petition.
I would add that everyone on campus and in the community knows Trump's perspective. This isn't about hearing an opposing viewpoint in a democratic society. Trump has been given forum after forum to discuss his perspective, one based in scapegoating, fear, bigotry of all forms, and in particular racist hatred. Allowing Trump a forum at West Chester University is an endorsement of these perspectives, which are not within the realm of reasonable or ethical political discussion.
Also, while I support this petition, I think offering the university language for a statement is an easy out. They need to cancel the event. Any respectable institution of learning cannot give a forum to people calling for torture and mass deportation, among countless other atrocities.
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
Ashamed that my alma mater is giving a platform to racist and fascist rhetoric. '96
S
Sabina Sister
10 years ago
Shame on you, Dr. Fiorentino.
E
Erica White
10 years ago
Future social worker for all people of color !!!
T
Taylor Singleton
10 years ago
Proud LGBTQ person of color right here signed this!
As an alumni I am so saddened that WCU would make the decision to bring such a vocal and proud person about their hate and oppressive views. While free speech and an understanding of the political process is important, Donald trump does not demonstrate this in an educational way. With this decision WCU demonstrates they value money over their student's voices and equality. Please reverse the decision to bring Donald Trump to campus.
I dont not believe the university should allow someone who hates most of the students that attned to hold a rally on their campus.
PENNSYLVANIA doesn't want trump here ! Remember he was at 711 will 9/11 was happening ! Smh
I hope Trump's fake ass man weave flies off!
You are who you associate yourself with. We all learned that as children. Is is clear the president of WCU aligns with the views of Donald Trump. This is his right. As a president of WCU you have to uphold the values WCU stands for. To allow someone who represents hate to become associated with a University the represents diversity and inclusion is insubordination of your position as a president of WCU
You are who you associate yourself with. We all learned that as children. Is is clear the president of WCU aligns with the views of Donald Trump. This is his right. As a president of WCU you have to uphold the values WCU stands for. To allow someone who represents hate to become associated with a University the represents diversity and inclusion is insubordination of your position as a president of WCU
You should not perpetuate the false equivalence between hate speech and "an exchange of ideas."
As a resident of West Chester and the spouse of a WCU faculty member, I urge the president to support in no uncertain terms the position outlined in this letter.
MSW Alumna Class of 2011 here. You say that civility and open-minded dialogue is a fundamental value but then you undercut that with the fact that you want to bring a man who espouses hate, violence, racism and xenophobia to your campus. You have an obligation to maintain open civil discourse, sure, but at the expense of the safety of your staff and students? This is not hypothetical, this is real. You have an obligation to your staff and students FIRST. Keep Trump out.
Directly repudiating Trump is tricky but necessary for the culture of tolerance and free thought the admin says they seek to promote. If we do not draw the line at divisive unsubstantiated hate speech, we risk losing the forum entirely. There has to be a line.
The university does indeed have a commitment to support free speech. But it also has a commitment to speak out against xenophobia, racism, and intimidation. The Donald Trump campaign uses intimidatory language and encourages violence; as such it moves from being political speech to mounting an assault on the political.
I understand the points you made that we must share ideas and information, but how can you ignore that the rhetoric Mr. Trump throws around is hate speech? Hate speech is a problem and this man orchestrates an environment and ideology that is against everything this campus stands for.
White people need to stand up against Trump's racism and xenophobia. His words uphold a system of white supremacist violence against people who aren't white. Every person is valuable, but Trump clearly doesn't understand this, as his rallies have led to violence against those who aren't white. Please don't give this dangerous man a platform at your university.
Very well put. While I agree that Donald Trump holds as much of a right to spew his ideas as anybody else in this country, I do not agree with our university's decision to provide him with a stage to do so considering the nature of the ideas he promotes. As a public institution of higher education with a diverse student body, I truly cannot believe that we are giving this man the attention that he does not deserve in the slightest.
Let the minority of educated minds rule the USA, not some ghetto dog who parrots the mindless majority
I agree completely with the framing of this petition. I would add that everyone on campus and in the community knows Trump's perspective. This isn't about hearing an opposing viewpoint in a democratic society. Trump has been given forum after forum to discuss his perspective, one based in scapegoating, fear, bigotry of all forms, and in particular racist hatred. Allowing Trump a forum at West Chester University is an endorsement of these perspectives, which are not within the realm of reasonable or ethical political discussion. Also, while I support this petition, I think offering the university language for a statement is an easy out. They need to cancel the event. Any respectable institution of learning cannot give a forum to people calling for torture and mass deportation, among countless other atrocities.
Ashamed that my alma mater is giving a platform to racist and fascist rhetoric. '96
Shame on you, Dr. Fiorentino.
Future social worker for all people of color !!!
Proud LGBTQ person of color right here signed this!