Students Object To Thomas As Speaker (Barf Alert)

RedandBlack.Com ^ | 05/02/03 | Melanie Horton

[kcordell]

Students object to Thomas as speaker

By MELANIE HORTON Published , May 02, 2003, 12:00:01 PM EDT

The controversy surrounding the School of Law's commencement speaker has been reignited in recent weeks as the graduation date draws near.

Last week, a petition was circulated around the law school questioning the methods used to choose Clarence Thomas, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice and Georgia native, as the commencement speaker, said Donald Wilkes, a law school professor.

"The petition was circulated by the students," he said. "It was signed by 11 law professors last Tuesday, and it was signed by 50 students between Thursday and the last day of classes."

He said the petition objected to the commencement speaker selection process and to its outcome.

David Shipley, dean of the law school, said he was unhappy with the timing of the petition because it was a distraction for students who were preparing for finals.

Only three students were involved in the selection of Thomas: Josh Belinfante, the third-year student class president; Megan Jones, the third-year student class vice president; and Megan Jones, the second-year student class president.

Belinfante said he responded to the petition by writing an open letter to students and faculty.

"The drafters of the petition never discussed the process with either myself or Megan Jones and Rebecca Franklin," he said. "They made presumptions and accusations without talking to us," he said.

Shipley said he felt the petition was misdirected.

"Criticism of the decision should be directed at me, not the students," he said. "Some years, there hasn't been any student input."

Shipley said the newly elected officers proposed a speaker selection process involving the leaders of the 28 law school student organizations.

"The final decision will still be with the dean," he said.

"The vast majority are happy to have a Supreme Court justice, especially a justice from Georgia, speak (at commencement)," Shipley said.

Wilkes, one of the most outspoken opponents of Thomas, said he will not attend the commencement ceremony, scheduled for

10 a.m. May 17 at the North Campus Quadrangle.

"I, at the time of commencement, will be giving a protest speech at the Tate Student Center Plaza," Wilkes said. "I will express my opposition to Justice Thomas and his very poor record of protecting our rights in this country."

Wilkes submitted a nine-page, single-spaced open letter to the School of Law faculty, staff and students Feb. 18 outlining what he calls Thomas' "deplorable record as a Supreme Court justice."

But, Katie Willcox, a law school student, said Thomas speaking at commencement is an honor, regardless of his politics.

"The point many miss, I think, is that he will likely speak on his path to the Supreme Court, overcoming great odds to achieve," she said. "(He) will urge us all to go out and do great things, exactly what a graduation speaker should do."

[dead]

After checking out that link, I had to post his picture:

I don’t know why, but it cracked me up.

Maybe it’s the jugundo earlobes, or the sunglasses indoors, or the oh-so-predictable, pseudo-hipster jeans-with-a-tie fashion sense.

I guess it’s just that he looks exactly like I’d imagine him to look, though I might have added a graying goatee.

[Kenton]

Last week, a petition was circulated around the law school questioning the methods used to choose Clarence Thomas, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice and Georgia native, as the commencement speaker, said Donald Wilkes, a law school professor.

Not to denigrate (can I use that word?) professor Wilkes' right to his opinion, this brings to mind the old saying about "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach".

Clarence Thomas, like him or not, sits on the Supreme Court, and as such, dear professor, his opinions carry far more legal weight than yours do.

Since you only got 11 of 69 law faculty to sign on to your little crusade, I think you have been shown to be a small but loud voice getting more attention than you merit, at a great man's expense.

[CFW]

I guess I should quit posting things about the faculty and get back to work. LOL! Exams at the law school this week. Fun! Fun!

[EllaMinnow]

Wilkes has been raising a ruckus about this since at least December.

My son will be graduating from UGA Law next year, the rumor is that Jimmy Carter will be the speaker then, to provide "balance" to Thomas this year, and because Carter's grandson will be graduating.

ICK.

[yankeedame]

Wilkes submitted a nine-page, single-spaced open letter ...

Many moons ago (when dinosaurs ruled the earth) my mother made the observation: "Only the insane write letters more than 4 pages long." And throughout my life I have noticed that this tends to be the rule, not the exception.

[CFW]

Carter's grandson is really a nice guy. Too bad he is so misguided.

Just think! I probably see your son every day (It won't change his exam grade though, Sorry!) LOL

[arm958]

What ever happened to "diversity"?

To join the diversity club you have to condone and even embrace sodomy and baby killing. Justice Thomas fails on both counts.

[EllaMinnow]

I hope he does well in Wilkes' class. He's very tired of biting his tongue!

[gaspar]

Wilkes is a general in charge of the tinfoil hat brigade that researches the JFK assassination. He personally has written 19 "articles" on the subject. I think he would really prefer that Oliver Stone give the address.

[CFW]

Wilkes is talking about "boycotting" the graduation. I don't think he has been to one in the past 6 years, so it sounds like a real sacrifice for him.

[EllaMinnow]

Really?

[CFW]

In my link in post#18 it has some of his JFK article links.

[EllaMinnow]

Thanks!

[evad]

not all institutions have gone off the deep end. justice thomas spends a week or so every year at my alma mater, creighton university, and everyone in the community is glad to have him. he is a gentleman and a fine jurist.

Well, that's certainly good to hear.

Wish I could say the same for the University of The People's Republic of Maryland

[LiteKeeper]

mega-dittoes

[EllaMinnow]

I emailed my son a link to this thread, and he asked me to post the following for him:

"I had the unique experience of taking Professor Wilkes' class in Criminal Procedure in Fall 2002. To say that Prof. Wilkes is a liberal extremist is an understatement to say the least. The gist of his class is that all police all evil and racist, all prosecutors are cold and callous people who only want to win, and no criminals are actually guilty. He illustrated his beliefs by burning a copy of the 4th Amendment in class to show how he believes the US Supreme Court treats it. The real information is thus obscured by his political beliefs that he uses to overshadow everything and quell possible debate, and the majority of the class believed that he was a joke. Even my liberal friends (sorry, but I do have some) are ashamed to have their beliefs represented by this man. On a personal note, I would also like to add that the majority of the students at UGA law seem to support the appearance of Justice Thomas, and are honored that a Supreme Court justice is speaking at our school (seeing as how only 9 schools a year can have that), so please don't think our entire school is a bunch of liberal wags because of one liberal honk of a professor with an over-inflated ego. Thank you and GO DAWGS!"

[CFW]

Thank you so much for raising such an intelligent child. There are a few conservative students here at the law school, and he is right...most of the students I talk to are honored that Judge Thomas is coming. However, Wilkes just won't shut up! He is like a 2 year old that is not getting the cookie he wants.

[Dark Knight]

There is an update!!!

Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon are starting a drive make sure Justice Thomas's free speech rights are not taken away.

Maybe not.

DK

[EllaMinnow]

Thank you again. I think he's very intelligent, but I'm a little biased. He wants to be a judge.