The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Guest Opinion: Amy Gutmann

As many of you have heard or seen by now, there was a photograph from our annual Halloween party that has taken flight over the Internet. The photograph is embarrassing for the University and me alike. I posted a formal response on our Web site last week. However, I wanted to provide more context.

Following a long-standing Penn tradition, I host an annual Halloween party at the president's house. Hundreds of students show up dressed in every imaginable costume - witches and warlocks, Jasons and Michael Myers, ax murderers and Frankensteins.

In keeping with the spirit of the event, I appeared as Glinda, the good witch of the North. In this context, it's hard to imagine that someone could create an actually offensive costume, but

at least one of our students did.

Part of the Halloween party tradition is the opportunity to be photographed with the president.

This year, one student holding a toy gun was photographed with me before it was obvious to me that he was dressed as a suicide bomber. As soon as I realized the full extent of his costume, I refused his request for additional photographs.

Some have mistakenly interpreted the photograph as my support for terrorism. Nothing could be further from the truth. I abhor terrorism, suicide bombers and everything they do. My record is unabashedly clear on this point.

The student has since apologized, and I accept his apology. I, too, apologize for the offense this photo has caused. Some images are too horrific even for Halloween.

Comments (4)

That's okay, Ames....you're still my beeyotch!!

Ms. Gutman, Why do you feel the need to debase yourself with this ridiculous apology? Simply state the costume was inappropriate, the kid is a college student, and ask everyone if they have anything better to do. I'm sure Saad has done far worse things than this, as has every college student, and everyone should let this stupid non-story die.

If you posed with the ax murderer or the witches (the bad ones), would it mean that you supported murder by ax or witchery? You are guiltless and it is sad that you felt it necessary to address this issue with a printed apology. The student who dressed as a terrorist does not support terrorism either, and he was simply looking for a shocking costume. Don't let the overreactors cause you to stop your generous Halloween party or pre-screen every costume before clicking begins. That would take a bunch of alarmists and give them credibility they should not be afforded. And please keep Hey Day. It's a choice to participate. Thank you for being the voice of reason and for not overreacting yourself.

My only question is whether there should be some reasonable limits on free expression even at a progressive university. If a student wore a sign saying "I love to blow up women and children and know that their blood is splattered all over the street" should that person be allowed to attend the annual Halloween party too? How is someone dressed as a suicide bomber different from someone wearing a sign like that?

Comments are closed for this item.