They are too tired
The SOAS Student Union put out a statement about the process by which Mona Eltahawy was invited to speak at SOAS but then uninvited by the SU.
An article has recently been released by the London Student regarding the alleged ‘no platforming’ of Mona Eltahawy. This allegation is untrue, and has not been discussed at any level within our Executive Body.
Here’s the article; its source is the same as mine was: Mona’s tweets.
It was recently suggested to us by a student that the Union put on an event with Mona Eltahawy. We approved of this suggestion and consequently were in discussions with the student about the format of the event (whether it should be in a panel format or just the speaker alone). We are happy to host this speaker.It is disappointing that the London Student chose to publish an article before seeking any kind of confirmation or evidence from the Students’ Union.UPDATE: See below a statement from Aida Balafkan & Jonelle Twum, our Part-Time Womens’ Officers (full-time students).“On Wednesday 4th of November, we (Aida and Jonelle) were in conversation with a student about having an event with Mona Eltahawy. We were told by the student that Mona can only be available on “9th of December after 5pm” and that she needs to know as soon as possible because Mona needs to change her travel plans if we decided to have her.We are both part-time officers, doing full time degrees and we can only host events if we have the time and the energy. After having a discussion with one of the Co-Presidents of the Union we decided that would be best to use this opportunity to host a panel discussion to create a dialogue. However, that meant more workload for the two of us. We tried our best to look for other panellists but again the time and energy that we had was very limited. We also find out there was no suitable room available on that specific date.
Already working on two events for the end of November, one on a panel discussion about intergenerational feminism on 30th, having essay deadlines in December and the limited time we had, we decided to withdraw and not host any event in December. The decision was never based around whether we should have Mona Eltahawy as a guest but rather more on a combination of practical reasons mentioned earlier. We simply physically and emotionally could not organise an event in the short time we had. We can confirm that there has been no “objections” or “concerns” but rather some serious critical discussions around some of her works and views.
There’s a difference? What exactly is that difference?
Mona wonders why, if a panel was too difficult to organize, it had to be a panel:
Exactly.Update didn't answer why, if too exhausted to organize panel,they won't host my talk as per initial invite. https://t.co/yTd8aLUiF7
— Mona Eltahawy (@monaeltahawy) November 18, 2015
The statement goes on:
We have never been in touch with Mona directly ourselves and the student has always been our point of contact. We are still not aware of the discussion between Mona and the student but what we can say is that we are saddened that the main reason for not going ahead with the event has been ignored.Again I would like to stress that we, Jonelle and I, decided not to go ahead with the event because of time and the fact that Mona had requested a quick confirmation from us which we realised we cannot give. There have been serious misunderstandings and miscommunications on all parts and we are sorry about that. Only one other member of the Union has been involved in the process (as mentioned earlier).
It seems like a clusterfuck at best – why didn’t they just jump at the chance to hear from Mona and skip the insistence on having a panel which meant they couldn’t find the time to do it at all?
It’s a pretty ridiculous excuse, really – “we decided she should be on a panel as opposed to doing a talk, but we don’t have time to organize a panel, so, sadly, we had to cancel the invitation.” The solution is staring them in the face: no panel.
Sofia Ahmed is currently busy calling Mona names on Twitter – she’s called her a “native informant” several times over the past 12 hours.
The statement concludes:
Our Co-President Activities & Events, Zain Dada, will now be helping to organise the event.
So I guess it’s happening after all.
Meanwhile, Mona says two more UK universities have invited her to talk – just her, no panel – in December. Suck it, SOAS.
Two other UK universities just invited me to speak in Dec, just me, none of this "must be a panel but we're too tired to organize" business
— Mona Eltahawy (@monaeltahawy) November 18, 2015
Wow, universities are just not what I remember them to be.
This sounds less like a university and more like an amateur student organization that is understaffed and over -ambitious and has poor communication practices. And poor timing. And a lack of common sense and imagination in crafting explanations. Grade: C-
Yeah, where’s Alex when you need zim? ;-)
If they were too tired, why didn’t they ask the student who was in contact with Mona to do the organizing? Delegation. That’s the key to survival in any sort of organization.
Really. Surely having interesting informed speakers is an important part of the student experience, so why leave it up to unpaid students to do the administrative work??
It’s all embarrassing.
Claire –
That perfectly describes the Students Association at the university I went to. I remember it as a place full of impassioned, constant, free flowing and at times slightly unhinged debate. Societies didn’t need permission to invite speakers (unless they were also asking for money to enable that).
@ Claire Ramsey:
As someone who ran an amateur student organization etc. etc., that’s exactly what it sounds like. Student activism + course-load can be extremely difficult, and that was true even before you got all this attention internationally on Twitter!
@ iknklast
This rather presumes the student in question was willing to do more than Solicit An Awesome Speaker And Then Walk Away.
@ Ophelia Benson:
From everything I’ve read, it sounds like they were excited, and tried to get an Awesome Event together, and then realized they couldn’t. Which sucks, but I don’t think it’s malice. Particularly given that they actually put this, er, grammatical gem out there:
I’m inclined to think they were all excited to have an Awesome Event with Dialogue(!) and Controversy(!), and didn’t actually follow up. Then they realized they needed a venue, and couldn’t get a venue. And abandoned the idea.
Incompetence != malice. Not that critique isn’t justified, but oy, I remember my efforts back on campus…. C- at best for me as well.
Also, it looks like they’re trying to make it happen after all, and I hope that happens. Given past performance here, I’m not optimistic, but … again, *shudder* memories of the student group I co-led are all too recent.
And that was 15 years ago. :D
And while they no-platform Mona, look who they invite to speak… no less than Asim Qureshi, salafist apologist.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1074248665997015/
Ah, but university student unions are exactly as I remember them to be :)
…But now I see I was pipped by virtually everyone :(
PatrickG – I’m older than you. Back in my day we had more energy. Those were the days, I remember when we brought Pax Romana to Gaul… Actually, I think course loads were probably lighter (less structured? Certainly less internal assessment and assignments) and no internet to distract us and keep us up late at night. Just all the other stuff students get up to.
Holms – I feel your pain. Been there many a time. C’mon, bring it in. Cry on my shoulder. There there…
:-)
/joy