Texas A&M University isn’t generally known as a bastion of progressive causes the way, say, the University of Texas-Austin is known.
They don’t call it the “People’s Republic of Austin” for nothing, you know.
Still, it’s heartening to see the reaction to a speech delivered by white supremacist Richard Spencer at the College Station campus. The students protested the rantings of this guy who leads something called the National Policy Institute, but he was allowed to speak his mind and offer views that come from whatever it is that passes for his heart.
“America belongs to white men,” Spencer said. Yes, he really said that and I guess he means it.
It’s utterly preposterous and reprehensible on its face, but this clown had a right to deliver his idiotic message.
The university didn’t sanction Spencer’s appearance at its flagship campus. The A&M System office made it clear that Spencer was invited by a private group that had requested use of a student hall to allow him to speak. There had been talk of trying to persuade the university to disallow his speech. That, in my view, would have been counterproductive.
It’s been said that it is better to keep the bad guys out in the open where you can see them and track their every move.
Richard Spencer was on full public display at Texas A&M. Now he’s gone on to spread his disgraceful message in other venues.
Don’t hurry back, young man.