Yesterday, April 11, the Chronicle broke a story of the BYU Law School recently canceling an event with Rick Duncan who spoke at the school a year before.
[READ: BYU Cancels Debate Event on Abortion: Beams before Motes]
Ed Whelan, the author of the National Review article about the J. Reuben Clark Law School’s cancellation of Rick Duncan, added an addendum, provided by a source at BYU. The addition gave more information about the cancellation, stating:
“One source at BYU law school tells me that Duncan’s 2021 event on diversity generated complaints that Duncan had been ‘disrespectful’ to a university DEI administrator who took part in the event. This same source says that law-school administrators told Federalist Society leaders that they were welcome to seek approval for Duncan to speak on Dobbs at a later date, which would allow administrators to prepare adequately for the event.”
Lita Little Giddins, Vice President of BYU’s Office of Belonging, was the administrator present at the event; a photo of Rick Duncan and Lita Giddens happily shaking hands contradicts the complaints of disrespect.
In response to the claims, Rick Duncan responded:
“I definitely was not disrespectful of anyone. Our ideas were in conflict, but our conversation was civil and respectful on both sides. We even had a friendly hug at the end.”
Months after the debate, Lita Giddens told a law student that she received many positive phone calls and emails regarding the event. At no time during the event could one receive the impression that anyone was upset by the discussion, according to the Chronicle’s sources.
A student present at the original event told the Chronicle, “During the Q and A portion, Professor Duncan said how we must allow all to be heard (even if we don’t agree with their position), to which Dean Giddins grabbed his hand to show they were on the same page…. I left that presentation thinking: wow, BYU Law is a special place.”
Another law student provided us with their account of the event, stating, “Though it was styled as a debate, the speakers were mainly in unison. Their point was that everyone deserves to be heard and that we can be civil even though we disagree. I suppose the controversial part was when Professor Duncan said he admired Jack [Phillips] (MasterPiece Cakeshop) for sticking to his beliefs in the face of so much hatred.”
“[P]erhaps it was when he said we don’t have to use someone’s preferred pronouns if we don’t want to. Either way, he was respectful and dignified in his beliefs and how he presented them. Those who were ‘offended’ simply didn’t like that he disagreed with them,” the student concluded.
A third student relayed to the Chronicle, “Professor Duncan addressed the harassment conservative thinkers face on college campuses regularly. He was respectful and directed his biggest critique on colleges that don’t protect free speech. [They] hugged, held hands afterward and got a standing ovation. The overall message was positive and good.”
Notably, the students recollected a civil discussion, with no instances of disrespect or discourtesy. Such statements from several students present at the event contradict the complaints leveled towards Professor Duncan.
This article will be updated accordingly.
Jacob Christensen and Thomas Stevenson
Managing Editor and Editor-in-Chief at The Cougar Chronicle
The Cougar Chronicle is an independent student-run newspaper and is not affiliated with Brigham Young University or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Isn’t it Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Bakery?