Education or indoctrination?

Education or indoctrination?

I read with interest the article in the Daily Herald Sept. 21, “William Ayers to highlight ECC series.”

Rose DiGrlando, college vice president, justified this decision by saying that, ”We feel it is important to offer programs and activities what allow our students to learn about diverse perspectives on important topics and diverse issues.”

I certainly hope that students attending this lecture took the time to research Ayers. While it appears that he is well credentialed, nothing is said of this past. He was the leader of a radical anti-government group in the ‘60s and ‘70s that was responsible for vandalism, arson and vicious attacks against police and civilians alike. He was a fugitive until the ‘80s when he surrendered to authorities but was not charged because of an “improper surveillance” technicality.

To this day, he says, “I don’t regret setting the bombs. I feel we didn’t do enough.” He also said, “Guilty as sin, free as a bird. American is a great country.” Ayers’ basic beliefs have not changed. Instead they are reflected in his life’s work.

Much as been written about the overwhelming majority of professors at our institutions of higher learning being liberal. It is not uncommon for these educators to inject their political comments into their courses, and Ayres is no exception.

That being said, most college students have already been exposed to liberal ideas. If it is truly the intent of the ECC series to widen horizons, I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t choose to showcase someone who is as conservative as Ayers is liberal. When all viewpoints are explored, that is education. When only one side is presented, that is indoctrination.

Marianne Beghardt

Bloomingdale