Since January 2001, Asim Javid has delivered a loud opposition to the preachers that frequent Free Speech Alley. Javid, a graduate student pursuing a master of arts in liberal arts, is the subject of this week’s edition of In a Minute. In the following interview, Javid points out the past struggles of opposing preachers in Free Speech Alley, though these hurdles have not stopped him from his continued opposition.
What are your thoughts on Free Speech Alley?
Free Speech Alley is a great venue for students from all walks of life. Students from any particular socioeconomic, religious, political and racial background can stand there and voice their opinions.
In this great country of ours, the right to free speech is the most valuable possession we hold so dear. At the University, the best places to voice one’s opinion are The Reveille and Free Speech Alley.
What upsets you most about the preachers in Free Speech Alley?
Why are they here in the first place? Its not as if we lack churches. Just across from the Parade Ground we have three churches. The Catholic Church, Episcopalian Church and the Baptist Student Center are some of the fine religious institutions that exist for our students, not to mention the Chapel on the Campus and the Methodist churches on Dalrymple Drive.
There are many fine ministers and church fathers on campus; we don’t need radical Christians from God knows where to tell us that we are going to hell. Dear sirs, we have God on this campus, thank you.
What do you hope to accomplish by debating the preachers?
First of all, the fire and brimstone preachers told me in the spring of 2001 that I was possessed by demons and evil spirits, and that I must give them my phone number so that they may come to my home and exorcise my demons.
They totally scared me to death, and I was unable to leave my house without wondering if someone from their group had followed me home. I was so paranoid, I had a nervous breakdown and ended up in the hospital for a few days.
They generated a fear in my heart whereupon I feared white men. When I am debating the preachers, they denigrate me by asking me whether I am a male or female. It is truly unjust.
When I debate them, I am educating the student spectators who have not had the privilege to study religions such as Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. I am suggesting a more tolerant and respectful view of these great world religions. I am also using the debates as a cathartic tool for the psychological and emotional damage they caused me.
If you could give advice to students who share your opinion, what would it be?
My advice is to please educate yourself. Read the news. Read about your own faith and those of others. Please respect others, and it is your duty as students to honor human dignity.