There has been a lot of chatter this week about the University of Michigan’s decision to cancel the showing of American Sniper on campus. Initially the school succumbed to requests to have the Friday screening cancelled, with 300-plus students and faculty saying the movie is offensive. The cancellation decision was made after the school received a letter from concerned students that included some of the following language (via FOX News):
The movie ‘American Sniper’ not only tolerates but promotes anti-Muslim and anti-MENA [Muslim, Middle Eastern and North African] rhetoric and sympathizes with a mass killer,” the letter read in part. “Chris Kyle was a racist who took a disturbing stance on murdering Iraqi civilians. Watching this movie is provocative and unsafe to MENA and Muslim students who are too often reminded of how little the media and world value their lives.
However, following the decision to cancel the showing, an even larger uproar ensued and thus prompted the school to reverse the initial decision. E. Royster Harper, the University Vice President for Student Life, released the following statement while saying children’s movie Paddington will also be shown as an alternative to those who wish not to watch American Sniper.
The initial decision to cancel the movie was not consistent with the high value the University of Michigan places on freedom of expression and our respect for the right of students to make their own choices in such matters. The movie will be shown at the originally scheduled time and location.
There have been loads of strong reactions to the entire debacle, with many prominent figures weighing in on the controversial move by the school. Included in those reactions is one from Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh, who laid down the hammer and does not care one bit what you think.
Michigan Football will watch “American Sniper”! Proud of Chris Kyle & Proud to be an American & if that offends anybody then so be it!
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) April 9, 2015
Well, ok then. Any questions?
