Katherine Mangany's A White Supremacist

A college campus is a place that students should feel comfortable and safe. An article by Katherine Mangany, “A White Supremacist Comes to Auburn,” focused on the attendance of a white supremacist, Richard Spencer, on a college campus. Mangany, explains the details regarding the appearance and discussion at the event. The beginning of this article explains the planning of the event which reveals that the university first refused the appearance of Spencer, but then Spencer went to appeal arguing that “What they’re doing is granting a heckler’s veto”(Spencer),which is a reference to the idea that the university is denying him because of a possible negative reaction from students. Furthermore, a federal judge approved the attendance of Spenser by allowing the event to go on for the scheduled date. In the article Mangany, then elaborated on the key points that Spencer said in his speech. Mr. Spencer began his speech with explaining the main subject or topic of his speech which is, “The alt-right is about identity, Period. End of statement. It’s about being a white person in the 21st century. That is why we’re dangerous!” (Spencer). The concept of an alt-right is one who believes in the preservation of a western civilization. This meaning a society that is predominately
white. To elaborate on this idea, Mangany noted specific quotes from Mr. Spencer, such as; “this black cloud, this eternal guilt trip” that prevents them from achieving greatness. “The great challenge to the system is when you say ‘I am German. I am English. I am white.’ That is what they don’t want to hear”(Spencer). By speaking this quote Spencer entered into the topic of white Americans being the minority rather than other races in our society. Furthermore, the tone of the event grew with range because of Spencer’s believes.
The article then discussed the effects of spencer speaking at this event. Mangany discussed many students began to protest and look toward violence. At the end of the event, there were three students arrested. This event caused an enormous amount of outrage within the university. Students were on a campus that they did not feel safe or valued in the right manner. Also, students felt as though their university was disregarding their safety. In like manner, a similar response to Spenser’s appearance was demonstrated at the University of Texas A&M at College Station. Ultimately, the views of Spencer is one that can cause an outrage that is harmful to student’s safety.
My take on Mangany article would be that this should not be allowed to occur in any form of educational institution. Students chose an university for education and they trust this university will keep them safe throughout their college years. My other point of disagreement is that many college pride themselves on diversity. Diversity on a college campus is the variety of different race, ethnicities, and views that are in completing their education in one location. To elaborate, an institution should always try to include others and provide an environment that anyone would feel comfortable to thrive in. By having a speaker that speaks of segregation amongst a society, that view is not one that an inclusion of a diverse institution.
By being a student here Mississippi State I would not feel comfortable with ever having a speaker come to this institution to speak about topics that are geared toward segregating a race that is not of white descent.
Mississippi State values diversity and inclusion with the residence halls, as well as through the entire university. As a Resident Advisor, I believe that students should not feel that they are treated in any way different than others. Furthermore the article that I chose is one that disregards student’s safety and comfort. This article I chose to is article. The purpose of this article would be to inform us that our words still has a problem and that not all peoples views have not
changed.