My Exchange of Letters With UC Irvine

Gary Fouse
fousesquawk
http://garyfouse.blogspot.com

Below is a response to my letter of today to UC Irvine regarding the “Standing Rock Is Everywhere” event. It comes from Dr. Thomas Parham, UCI’s vice chancellor for student affairs, who originated the New Narratives program, which sponsored the event.

Mr. Fouse: 

Thank you for your note and for attending the New Narratives forum. Reviews on 
that program were very positive even as we understand that attendees and even 
panelists may agree or disagree with the assertions being advanced and opinions 
being offered by the various speakers. 

The purpose of the New Narratives series when I developed it was to create a 
forum where issues of race, gender, identity, oppression, social justice, etc. 
could become topics of critical discourse and analysis. That is what we intend 
to deliver in those NN forums. Also, while I do take occasional license to 
suggest a speaker, the speakers are primarily invited by a committee of students 
and staff from across the university. In light of your recommendations, I will 
make sure that those are forwarded to the committee for their consideration. 

Thank you again for your message. 

Dr. Parham 

Thomas A. Parham, Ph.D 
Vice Chancellor Student Affairs 
University of California Irvine 
Irvine, California. 92697 

www.vcsa.uci.edu 

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Here is my response:

Dr. Parham 

Thank you for your response. Since the purpose of New Narratives is to treat 
these issues with critical discourse and analysis, it seems that having 
conservative speakers would be essential in order to provide the students with 
balance enabling them to come up with their own conclusions. How can there be 
critical discourse and analysis when only one side of an issue is presented? 

I would be grateful if you could advise me as to the committee's decision on 
inviting Dr Sowell or Mr. Elder to speak at UCI. 


Thank you again for your response. 


Gary Fouse 

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