Hundreds Turn Back on Schlafly at Ceremony

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH ^ | 05/16/2008 | Kavita Kumar

[kellynla]

ST. LOUIS -- Some felt the silent protest with white armbands and the dramatic turning of backs was disrespectful. But those who took part said it was a fitting way to show their disapproval that Washington University was honoring a woman whose views and life’s work they strongly disagree with.

For her part, Phyllis Schlafly, the 83-year-old at the center of the controversy, said she thought it was "juvenile" of students who were "raining on their own parade." But it didn’t ruin her moment, she said.

At today’s commencement ceremony held on a sunny Brookings Quadrangle, Schlafly did not seem to notice the hundreds of backs turned to her while a citation heralding her accomplishments was read. A tense hush settled over the gathering of more than 14,000 people. Schlafly responded with a tranquil smile she held for several minutes as she was given an honorary doctorate of humane letters.

Margaret Bush Wilson, a retired civil rights attorney, volunteered to introduce Schlafly as faculty and students were calling on the university to rescind the degree. Wilson said after the ceremony that while she does not agree with many of Schlafly’s views, she is a strong advocate of free speech.

"Vigorous, free-flowing debate is the cornerstone of our American life," Wilson said at today’s ceremony.

[gusopol3]

I’m cynical enough to believe a large donation (not from Schlafly herself) to the college must have been linked to the granting of the degree.

[CGASMIA68]

“juvenile” of students who were “raining on their own parade.”
seems to be a college norm

[paudio]

As for her detractors, she said, "I’m not sure they’re mature enough to graduate." If anything, she said she feels sorry for them because they’ve been misled by women’s studies classes.

LOL :-)

[Larry Lucido]

Doesn’t show a lot of class, but I will say that if Hillary Clinton had been speaker at my law school graduation (as some had proposed) I would have sat on my hands the whole speech.

[Iron Munro]

[kjo]

Agreed. I’d be surprised if money did not change hands. No major US university would give her a platform otherwise.

It must have been a lot of money.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Schlafly...said she thought it was "juvenile"

I had no idea, she is as generous as she is accomplished. I'd have called them the meat by-products of the American education racket.

[BigCinBigD]

The Klingons have a word for this, discomendation.

[Vigilanteman]

Phyllis Schlafly is an absolutey amazing woman. What she has accomplished in her life is incredible enough if she were three people. People who were around in the early 1970's may remember it was initially just her against the entire feminist lobby when the so-called Equal Rights Amendment was stopped in its tracks just three or four states short of ratification.

I had no idea she was 83 now. My hat is off to her for continuing to fight the good fight.

[Fresh Wind]

I was fortunate to have Bill Buckley speak at my commencement. (I was fortunate to be there myself!)

[Alia]

These protestors have no life. They can't just pursue what they believe in and hold dear, they've got to spend their life's precious energy exerting energy to be negative.

What a waste of carbon credits...

[catpuppy]

The students were just being the good little Marxists they were trained to be.

[dforest]

This is how people treat freedom loving, pro sovereignty, non socialists in the US today.

Won’t be too long now, if people get the government they deserve, they are about to get what they deserve....and then some.

[Freedom4US]

I was going to write something, but after that, why bother?

Could I ask when he made that statement particularly? RIP, mr. Buckley.

[mewzilla]

Check this out. From this link, on the chancellor...

Mark Stephen Wrighton Chancellor, Washington University in St. Louis

... The University's total operating budget is $1.8 billion, and its $5.7 billion endowment places it among the top private universities in the United States.

Some of these institutions are sitting on some major bucks...

[windsorknot]

Liberals showing their backsides: that’s what they do best.

[mewzilla]

Wash U.

Total operating budget: $1.8 bil.

University's endowment: $5.7 bil.

Freedom of speech: Priceless.

[Neoliberalnot]

Agreed. I’d be surprised if money did not change hands. No major US university would give her a platform otherwise.

It must have been a lot of money.””

Phyllis and several of her family have degrees from Wash Univ.

[BatGuano]

This action does not surprise me at all. With only a few exceptions, the colleges and universities of our country have become so liberal, it is sickening. To me “liberal” means accepting others viewpoints. One does not have to agree with others but respect them. To demonstrate the way they did, (including faculty and admin people on stage), was in poor taste and I am sure disappointing to Ms Schlafly. Our education system is administered by flaming liberals who could not get a job in business or industry, so they choose to warp the minds of young people and call that a success in life.