Academic Freedom Vital To State’s Future

(Click here and here to see how Oklahoma’s image continues to deteriorate on a national and international level because of the state’s current anti-evolution movement.)

When Richard Dawkins, a former Oxford University professor and famous evolutionary biologist, recently came to Oklahoma to give a routine academic presentation, it sparked a political spectacle that continues to embarrass the state

State Rep. Todd Thomsen (R-Ada) introduced a House resolution criticizing Dawkins’ visit to the University of Oklahoma. The resolution claims Dawkins’ views “are contrary and offensive to the views and opinions of most citizens of Oklahoma.” Dawkins, an atheist who often criticizes creationism, responded by mocking the resolution during his speech and posted a video about it on his popular Web site. His speech was a part of some OU activities examining Charles Darwin’s ideas and research. (Darwin is pictured to the right.)

Now it appears state Rep. Rebecca Hamilton (D-Oklahoma City) has requested information from OU about Dawkins’ speech. Greg Lukianoff, writing on Huffington Post, notes, “Representative Hamilton's exhaustive request included demands for all e-mails and correspondence relating to the speech; a list of all money paid to Dawkins and the entities, public or private, responsible for this funding; and the total cost to the university, including, among other things, security fees, advertising, and even ‘faculty time spent promoting this event.’"

Lukianoff points out:

If this investigation is indeed taking place, what the state legislature needs to understand is that in court cases dating back to the days of the House Committee on Un-American Activities, even investigating clearly protected speech on the basis of its viewpoint violates the First Amendment.

State leaders also need to understand that reports of the local anti-evolution movement make their way through scientific and other intellectual communities throughout the country and world. These reports make the state seem backwards, isolated and unwelcoming among groups of people that could help move the state forward. This has the potential to hinder efforts recruiting top scientists and faculty to work in the state. This, in turn, hurts our students.

It also sends the wrong message to Oklahoma scientists, science faculty members and other faculty members. It tells them to avoid discourses, theories and research that might offend certain politicians or be labeled controversial. This applies to virtually all disciplines, and it could ultimately have a major dumbing-down effect on our students.

Thomsen and Hamilton have every right to express their views about evolution, but their actions have the potential to threaten university-level academic freedom, which is as vital as the energy sector in Oklahoma. Is this what they intend?