Charity event goes smoothly despite controversial speaker
According to Rizvi, portions of Vision XChange's funds were pulled last week, but restored before Wednesday's event.
Vision XChange is partially funded by the Office of Undergraduate Education and the Center for Social Concern discretionary funds, which according to Rizvi were initially removed by Burger and Tiefenwerth.
But after Rizvi met with the administrators, the funds were restored.
Rizvi said she had assured Burger last week that the event would not be political.
Weir said she did not make efforts to depoliticize her speech, but rather that the topic is essentially apolitical.
"I gave the talk I felt was appropriate for a children's charity. It was a journalistic talk," she said.
Weir explained that she has dealt with controversy in the past.
"There is an effort throughout the country to silence information about Palestine."
The Coalition of Hopkins Activists for Israel (CHAI) took no action against the event, though the student group disagreed with Weir's position.
"We were not necessarily happy with their choice of speaker. We think she has a very strong ant-Semitic point of view," said Ariana Tart-Zelvin, vice president of CHAI. "But I think people should look at the Web site and decide for themselves."
Tart-Zelvin said CHAI will most likely hold an event to present their own points of view on the issue.
"It's a silencing tactic," Weir said of the allegations of her anti-Semitism.
Maysoon Zayid, an Arab-American comedienne, was the evening's master of ceremonies.
"Do you know where Palestine is? Can I get a round of applause?" she asked at the start of the show. When the audience clapped, Zayid said wryly, "That's funny; it's not on a map. I can't find it."
After all 12 talent acts had performed, Allison Weir took the stage. "I think I frightened off three deans, I'm told," she said to the crowd, which had shrunk to less than half of its original size.
Vision XChange is partially funded by the Office of Undergraduate Education and the Center for Social Concern discretionary funds, which according to Rizvi were initially removed by Burger and Tiefenwerth.
But after Rizvi met with the administrators, the funds were restored.
Rizvi said she had assured Burger last week that the event would not be political.
Weir said she did not make efforts to depoliticize her speech, but rather that the topic is essentially apolitical.
"I gave the talk I felt was appropriate for a children's charity. It was a journalistic talk," she said.
Weir explained that she has dealt with controversy in the past.
"There is an effort throughout the country to silence information about Palestine."
The Coalition of Hopkins Activists for Israel (CHAI) took no action against the event, though the student group disagreed with Weir's position.
"We were not necessarily happy with their choice of speaker. We think she has a very strong ant-Semitic point of view," said Ariana Tart-Zelvin, vice president of CHAI. "But I think people should look at the Web site and decide for themselves."
Tart-Zelvin said CHAI will most likely hold an event to present their own points of view on the issue.
"It's a silencing tactic," Weir said of the allegations of her anti-Semitism.
Maysoon Zayid, an Arab-American comedienne, was the evening's master of ceremonies.
"Do you know where Palestine is? Can I get a round of applause?" she asked at the start of the show. When the audience clapped, Zayid said wryly, "That's funny; it's not on a map. I can't find it."
After all 12 talent acts had performed, Allison Weir took the stage. "I think I frightened off three deans, I'm told," she said to the crowd, which had shrunk to less than half of its original size.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Abbas
posted 4/25/08 @ 11:53 AM EST
I'm highly disappointed in the decision by Dean Burger and Mr. Tiefenwerth to step down as judges of the contest. While they claim that the reason they stepped down is that they thought the event "too political," what their decision really indicates is that Ms. (Continued…)
Kamran
posted 4/25/08 @ 12:13 PM EST
I would like to applaud VXChange and the JHU student body for organizing/funding this event and making it a success. Amazing work as always! Its plain that humanitarian organizations on the Palestinian side are in dire need of resources, although its a shame that children on both sides are suffering during this prolonged conflict. (Continued…)
Kamran
Kamran
posted 4/25/08 @ 12:14 PM EST
I would like to applaud VXChange and the JHU student body for organizing/funding this event and making it a success. Amazing work as always! Its plain that humanitarian organizations on the Palestinian side are in dire need of resources, although its a shame that children on both sides are suffering during this prolonged conflict. (Continued…)
J. Saleh Williams
posted 4/25/08 @ 12:36 PM EST
Ultimately, I'm glad that many JHU students saw past the ill-informed criticism of the event and came out to support this worthy cause. Many students worked hard to put on a great performance. (Continued…)
Adrienne B
posted 4/25/08 @ 5:36 PM EST
I would like to commend the members of Vision Exchange who remained steadfast in their desire to produce this event. I'm sure it was rough; as it is always for those who are ahead of their time. (Continued…)
Adrienne NH Baksh
posted 4/25/08 @ 5:38 PM EST
I would like to commend the members of Vision Exchange who remained steadfast in their desire to produce this event. I'm sure it was rough; as it is always for those who are ahead of their time. (Continued…)
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