Logos via WTAMU & FIRE
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), an organization founded in 1999 to promote free speech on college and university campuses, is taking aim at West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler following Wendler’s announcement the university would be cancelling a drag show on campus.
In a letter to Wendler, FIRE stated that “As a citizen, the First Amendment recognizes your right to criticize others’ expression. But as a public university president, you may not employ state power to censor it. Students’ exercise of First Amendment rights does not mean that you condone that exercise.” The letter closed by asking Wendler to respond by the close of business on March 22nd, asking Wendler to confirm he “will restore the event and will not stand in the way of WTAMU students’ First Amendment right to express themselves.”
In a statement to the press, FIRE attorney Alex Morey wrote:
“By unilaterally canceling the event because he personally disapproves of the views it might express, WTAMU’s president appears to have violated both his constitutional obligations and state law. It’s really surprising how open he is about knowingly violating the law, especially because government officials who violate clearly established First Amendment law will not retain qualified immunity and can be held personally liable for monetary damages.”
The Amarillo Pioneer reached out to FIRE to inquire what next steps the organization plans to take if WT does not restore the event. In a statement to the Pioneer, FIRE’s communications campaign manager Katie Kortepeter told us they are “watching the situation closely and will be in touch when we have an update.”
FIRE’s letter to Wendler was prompted by an email to students and faculty outlining his reasons for banning the event, where Wendler argued that he believes drag show are demeaning towards women and likened drag to blackface performances. In his message, Wendler wrote:
“Drag shows are derisive, divisive and demoralizing misogyny, no matter the stated intent. Such conduct runs counter to the purpose of WT. A person or group should not attempt to elevate itself or a cause by mocking another person or group. As a university president, I would not support “blackface” performances on our campus, even if told the performance is a form of free speech or intended as humor. It is wrong. I do not support any show, performance or artistic expression which denigrates others—in this case, women—for any reason.”
One area both Wendler and the organizers of the drag show agree on is supporting The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention within the LGBTQ community. While Wendler has opposed the drag show, which was organized to benefit The Trevor Project, Wendler stated in his email that “Supporting The Trevor Project is a good idea. My recommendation is to skip the show and send the dough.”