BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Yesterday, reports that a Young Americans for Freedom chapter was temporarily blocked at Samford University due to a statement of purpose containing “inflammatory” language about communism created a media whirlwind. Now, SU President Andrew Westmoreland wants to clarify that his school is in no way a “Haven for Marxists.”
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In an official statement, Westmoreland claims that the issue with YAF’s acceptance as a campus organization is about a gap in communication. While the students interested in forming the chapter believed they had to remove anti-communism rhetoric from their statement of purpose – pulled from William F. Buckley’s Sharon Statement – he asserts that the faculty merely wanted more clarification on the language, hence the temporary block and deferment.
The Sharon Statement’s only explicit mention of the Marxist ideology is in the last refrain, which reads, “…That the forces of international Communism are, at present [1960], the greatest single threat to these liberties…[and] that the United States should stress victory over, rather than coexistence with, this menace.”
Yesterday, Samford Executive Director of Communications Phillip Poole told Yellowhammer that such language caused issues with faculty members conducting the University’s standard protocol for campus organization acceptance.
“Concerns were expressed by some faculty members regarding what they perceived to be inflammatory language in the YAF statement of purpose regarding Communism and Communists,” Poole said in a statement. “Faculty members were seeking to confirm that opposition to a political ideology would be accomplished in a manner that respects the worth of each individual, as stated within the university’s Code of Values. The members of the committee indicated their willingness to further explore these issues with students during their next scheduled meeting in the spring semester.”
Westmoreland went on the record as an opponent to communism, but a believer in free and open discussion. In an email sent to Yellohammer, the president shared his personal observations of the controversial situation.
Because of the rather bizarre comments that have been made regarding Samford in social media over the past 24 hours, I feel compelled to offer a few personal observations. First, I defend the rights of all people, even those within what many may view as the cloistered environment of a private university, to write and to speak. It is a First Amendment right and, I believe, a basic human right, therefore I think that it is not advisable to attempt to insulate either students or faculty from expressing or hearing opposing views. That being said, I can say with confidence that Samford is not a bastion of support for Communism. I think we have overwhelming agreement throughout the campus that Communism is a failed system. Even so, I am faced with the truth that, as Christians, we are compelled to show the love of Christ to all people, regardless of political ideology or any other factor.
And I can’t help adding that I am a thoroughgoing Capitalist.
YAF will be given an opportunity to resubmit an application to be accepted next semester.
