UConn College Republicans, Follow Up
THE CHALLENGE OF RESPONSIBILITY
Regarding the Warrior Event of April 5, 2005
STORRS, CT— Since the University of Connecticut chapter of the College Republicans hosted the “Ultimate Warrior” on Tuesday, April 5, we have apologized for the comments that we felt were offensive and not worthy of a constructive dialogue on campus. Indeed, we felt compelled to not just issue an apology to the University Community at large, but also to issue direct written and personally signed apology letters to more than twenty organizations on campus. We have hand-delivered these notes and the response has been extremely positive from the community. Reconciliation for offenses is not, in our opinion, a sign of weakness or bowing down to anyone. We have not apologized for the Warrior’s presence nor have we conceded his right to speak freely. What we have done is accept the challenge our conservative cause so zealously advocates: the challenge of responsibility.
This in mind, it is important to recall the circumstances of this situation. A group of students, who obviously had little interest in real dialogue, came to the Warrior’s presentation with the explicit purpose of disrupting it. Instead of waiting for the designated Question & Answer period, these students frequently shouted out and acted inappropriately in order to intentionally provoke the speaker and disrupt the event as a whole.
Just as the UCONN College Republicans will not stand for the offensive comments, will not stand blithely by when confronted with opponents who have no respect for the community-wide discussion we desire. We have stood up and apologized in public for our transgressions. Yet the individuals who disrupted our presentation have hidden themselves and cried “havoc!” anonymously in the newspaper or in nameless e-mails. We, as UCONN College Republicans, have received no apology from any student who was disruptive during the Warrior’s presentation. Unlike us, they either do not have the courage or self-respect to say that they too were wrong. So we dare them to accept the challenge of responsibility that they too bear. Stand up and admit your mistakes as we have.
-- UCONN College Republicans
Back To Warrior at UConn