Auckland Uni is in a difficult position:
‘White pride’ fears over Auckland University student group recruiting members
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The European Students Association has been established at Auckland University and has some fearing it’s a white nationalist group.The group will be included in next week’s orientation week, despite objections from students. The university has allowed the group to hold a stall and recruit members at the Clubs Expo.
The group’s Facebook page includes Celtic symbols used by white supremacist groups, and paintings depicting the unification of Germany and the colonisation of New Zealand in the 19th century.
It has also posted “our pride is our honour and loyalty”, a statement similar to “my honour is called loyalty”, a common translation of the Nazi SS slogan.
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AUSA confirmed it has received complaints about the group and has met the University Proctor to relay those concerns.But a university spokesperson said the university has no reason to prevent the group from taking part in the expo.
“The university promotes a safe and inclusive campus environment. We have no evidence there is any form of discrimination or racism.” …
This is a classic dilemma with two important principles at stake. In the interests of free speech the group should be allowed to go ahead – if we start banning “European” groups then what reason is there not to ban “Jewish” or “Muslim” or whoever. But in the interests of preventing hate speech and creating a safe environment, shouldn’t we be avoiding anything that looks like support for resurgent “white nationalism”?
For what it’s worth I think Auckland has it right. The current group is innocent until proven guilty. But they should be closely watched, and at any sign of hate speech or intimidation, Auckland should take all possible steps to shut them down. Feel free to tell me that I’m wrong…
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