www.rrstar.com/localnews/your_community/rockford/20030520-4814.shtml
By CARRIE WATTERS, Rockford Register Star 53 >> Click here for more about Carrie ROCKFORD New York Times reporter Chris Hedges was booed off the stage Saturday at Rockford Colleges graduation because he gave an antiwar speech. Two days later, graduates and family members, envisioning a go out and make your mark send-off, are still reeling. Guests wanting to hear the author and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter are equally appalled. Hedges began his abbreviated 18-minute speech comparing United States policy in Iraq to pariahs and a tyranny over the weak. Some graduates and audience members turned their backs to the speaker in silent protest. Others rushed up the aisle to vocally protest the remarks, and one student tossed his cap and gown to the stage before leaving. Mary ONeill of Capron, who earned a degree in elementary education, sat in her black cap and gown listening. She turned to Pribbenow and asked him why he was letting the speech continue. Pribbenow later said when people stop listening to ideas, even controversial ones, it is the death of institutions like 157-year-old Rockford College. Her husband, Kevin, sat in the audience with their daughter and was as indignant as his wife. Hedges, a war correspondent, criticized military heroic ideals that grow during war. The fervor sacrifices individual thought for temporarily belonging to something larger, he said. He characterized them as boys from places such as Mississippi and Arkansas who joined the military because there were no job opportunities. Betrayal of the young by the old, of soldiers by politicians and idealists by cynics, Hedges said in lecture fashion as jeers and God Bless Americas could be heard in the background. After his microphone was again unplugged, Pribbenow told Hedges to wrap it up. Elinor Radlund of Rockford read Hedges book on war and was horrified at what she said was the audiences rude behavior. They were not behaving as people in an academic setting, where youre supposed to be open to a great many ideas, Radlund said. Pribbenow said Rockford College takes no political stance, but the job is to challenge students. He reminded audience members of the liberal arts colleges commitment to listening to other viewpoints. Spontaneous reaction led 66-year-old Gerald Kehoe of rural Boone County down the aisle in his first time to protest anything. He attended Saturdays commencement to watch his daughter graduate, the fourth from Rockford College. Rockford College political science professor Bob Evans said its a reminder of the raw edges of emotion on the issue. A student who rushed the stage could face reprimand although he still received his diploma. Its important to go on the record that its inappropriate behavior, Pribbenow said. Use of this site indicates your agreement to the 86 Terms of Service (updated 12/18/02).
|
http://csua.com/feed/