Publishing bigotry: what obligations do we have?

Steve Pyke’s new set of photographs of philosophers contains one of  Slavoj Zizek.  Clicking on it gives one a larger version of the photograph and the following quote:

I HATE philosophy, but I cannot find peace if I do not get rid of a
philosophical problem. Philosophy is for me like women: they are
impossible, but it is even more difficult without them. I am only
happy between the writing of two books – then I relax… and start
thinking of philosophy.

Of course Zizek, who is very often said to be charismatic and brilliant, is really out of anyone’s control, apparently.  I don’t see this fact, though, as mitigating anything.

In academia we are particularly concerned with free speech, and that concern seems particularly appropriate now as many universities see corporations as providing good models.  But does this mean it is permissible to propagate the remarks of a bigot?

I’ve used strong words and I haven’t taken account of the fact that Zizek’s words may have been uttered in a context that lessens or changes the impact of what he’s said.  Nonetheless, as the words are conveyed, all that is lost if it was ever present.

Perhaps, though, we should say that the quote provides a salutory warning to students:  Avoid this guy!

What do you think?

(Thanks to SD for the info.)

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is Unconstitutional.

You already knew that, of course. But now a federal judge has ruled that it is. This is undeniably good news, but as Mr Jender points out to me it was also unconstitutional back in 1994, and it would have been nice for some courts to rule this way back then, instead of waiting till it was on the way out anyway.

It’s bell hooks Week

Over at the Ms. Blog. Go check it out!

This week at the Ms. Blog, we are running a series of essays celebrating the life and works of the extraordinary bell hooks. hooks has made a significant impact on feminism, race theory, education, class politics, the mass media and many, many people’s lives. Here’s what’s up so far:

Audrey Bilger’s 10 years of ‘Feminism is for Everybody’ honors a classic feminist text.

Ileana Jiménez looks at how hooks’ books, specifically Teaching to Transgress, have transformed her high school classroom, her students, and herself, in Teaching to Transgress in High Schools.

It’s All About Love for Ebony Utley, who continues hooks’ work on love by interviewing black women about their experiences with love and infidelity.

Inspired by hooks’ essay “Seduced by Violence No More” in Transforming a Rape Culture, Natalie Wilson wonders What If You Refuse to Be Seduced by Violence?

In hooks’ honor, let’s create a dialogue. We want to hear your thoughts–what are your favorite books by bell hooks? When did you first read her work? How has she impacted your feminism? How do you bring hooks into your everyday life?