Harvard: Allow Anti-Racist Tim Wise to Debate David Duke - Stand Up To Racism

            We hereby request that Harvard University’s JFK School of Government allow Timothy Wise, the renowned anti-racism activist, to hold a public debate against David Duke; the former Republican representative from Louisiana who has long claimed to have moved beyond his KKK days.

            Our request comes from our sincere belief that the only way one can end racism is by confronting it directly and publically. Mr. Wise has been remarkably accomplished in this regard. He has spoken at over 600 college campuses and, as far as we are concerned, never lost a debate. Allowing him to confront Duke would be a continuation of this past work and a way to publically rebuke racist ideas. We have absolute confidence that Mr. Wise would easily be able to win such a debate and show his intellectual superiority over Duke.

            Obviously there are some who warn that by allowing such a debate to occur we would be unintentionally giving racists such as Duke a platform, but this is merely a logical fallacy. Duke has achieved his greatest successes when he has not been challenged. He was winning in the polls during his run for Louisiana governor until the Louisiana Coalition Against Racism and Nazism managed to rally opposition to him. It is our belief that if we do not confront and tackle the ideas presented by men such as Duke, and show them to be morally wrong, they will continue to spread.

            Perhaps the best way to describe our view is the saying that “Only the light can drive out darkness.” This idea – based in early enlightenment philosophy – is why it is so critical that such a debate occur at Harvard. Your university is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious in the entire world and it has long been a leader in progressive causes. Such a university has a moral prerogative to continue the struggle against oppression and White supremacy. Duke has long claimed that he has moved beyond his past, but he continues to make anti-Semitic statements every chance possible. Harvard should be a part of the process of rejecting those ideas. Doing nothing is simply not acceptable if we wish to be moral men.

            Those who petition you have studied the White supremacist movement very closely and analyzed it. We are true anti-racists in that we have actively attempted to understand White supremacism so as to end it. I, the author of this petition, have attempted to find ways to end White supremacy. I have read and studied the works of racists so as to be better enabled to debate them. After all of my studies I have come to the conclusion that the only way to stem the growth of racial tension and supremacy is for public debates to be held. It isn’t my wish for Mr. Duke to be humiliated, merely for his repugnant ideas to be shown to be a folly. Perhaps he can still realize the error of his ways; that is what I would like to see the most. Nothing would make me happier than to see men like Duke become reformed.

            I realize this is unrealistic but I do not think it is irrational to hope that by hosting such a debate we might see some young people steered away from racist philosophy. It would be incredibly significant if Mr. Wise was able to publically show Duke for what he is. Instead of youths becoming curious and typing in “David Duke” into a YouTube search and seeing his videos where he can speak unopposed; they would see Duke challenged by a morally superior man. Even if this were to stop a handful of children from developing White supremacist views, it would be a worthwhile task.

            We respectfully ask that Harvard assist in this process. Please allow for a debate between Mr. Wise and Mr. Duke.

            Harvard has a chance to show that it truly believes that Black Lives Matter and that oppression must be confronted. Please don’t overlook this opportunity.