September 22, 2014
Wendy Kaminer defends racist hate speech at New York alumnae panel
On Monday, September 22nd 2014 in New York City, President McCartney moderated Smith faculty and alumnae at a panel discussing diversity and civil discourse. At one point the president asked a question about the line between free speech and hate speech, which was answered by panelist Wendy Kaminer ’71. In her answer Kaminer, a white woman, used the n-word and encouraged the audience to say it with her, arguing that all speech was free speech. The event created extensive backlash towards Kaminer, the College, and the president, whose response many students of color found unsatisfactory at the panel.
Sophian article here
A transcription of the panel here
Sophian letter to the editor (defending Kaminer) here
[Last updated on October 20, 2018]