A proud member of the University of Chicago, I plan to attend these protests. Please join me and others, including the great Slovenian politician and psychoanalytic theorist, Slavoj Zizek, who is one of my personal favorites, at the Reynolds Club at 57th and University Streets. I wonder if other politicians affiliated with this campus plan on attending.
I post an email I received below.
By law, the University bureaucracy must allow military recruiters onto this
campus. Their presence has been tied to federal funds for scholarship and
research.
So the question is-----------do you like the strings attached to your
livelihood? Do you agree with the way in which politics are being run? And, if
not, what are you going to do about it? SLAVOJ ZIZEK, a VISITING scholar, has
offered his support and plans to come on Wednesday. And we, the actual
subjects of this institution?
I speak as someone who, at the most basic level, wants political change.
Someone who wants to see the political energy on this campus harnessed, that
wants to create a meeting place and exchange for people who are dissatisfied
with the way things are. And, of course, who want to work against the war in
which this country is embroiled.
For those of you with whom this message resonates, those who are perturbed
by the presence of marine recruiters on this campus, student arrests in a
protest, and an increasing rule of silence and apathy at the University of
Chicago......
LET'S DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
Tuesday, April 18 and Wednesday, April 19-------10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This is when the marines will be there. I say we be there with them. Against
them. Protest their presence and join with each other. Inform one another.
Perform with one another. Be there the whole time they are--maybe more--to
express our will to change the way things are.
Slavoj Zizek has given his support to the action, and will be in attendance on
Wednesday. I want more scholars------teachers who can spread information,
knowledge, a reminder of times past, and dissatisfaction for times current.
Teachers, come teach your classes in the Reynolds Club.
Student groups ECO and SOUL, as well as many unaffiliated students, will be
there. I want more students---------learning, disseminating, changing, caring
about what happens on their campus. Students, come bring your lives of the
mind to the Reynolds Club.
But this isn't about what I want. It's about what the University of Chicago, as
supposedly one of the greatest educational institutions on this planet, needs to
be doing. To be on the forefront, speaking loudly. To be on the forefront,
theorizing. To be on the forefront, making it known that these people are not
welcome on our doorstep.
I hope to see you all there.
[signature deleted]
Please forward to all.