One of the controversial drawings (original photo by Edwin Rios, Photoshop by author)

The campus was in chaos this week when students noticed that the Northwestern Chronicle had published a cartoon depicting Prophet President Morton Schapiro. Even though the cartoon was published months ago, RevolutionMorty.com, a website run by MScA (Morton Schaprio Change Association) that has outspokenly supported the Great Room, more tolerant social policies, and jihad against UChicago, issued a warning that unless the cartoon is removed, the Chronicle could face the same fate as Theo Van Gough, Gregorius Nekschot, and Rumor Royalty.

In a letter to the editor published in the Daily Northwestern,  Muhammad Zafdari, an ASG insider and self-proclaimed Morty lover, stated that the cartoon was an act of pure “douchebaggery” and that ASG would “not take the matter lightly.”

To protest the protest, Secular Humanists for Inquiry and Free Thought (SHIFT), drew a series of cartoons of President Schapiro in front of buildings Monday night.

“We wanted to express the idea that there is no policy against joking about President Schapiro,” Weinberg sophomore and SHIFT president Cassandra Burn said. “It has become a Northwestern taboo because of a total obsession with him, and we’re trying to dispel that taboo.

“It’s not directed to students who are in love with Morty. Actually, no wait, its completely directed at them.”

Leadership from MScA quickly called a protest to protest the protesters of the original protest, saying that they wished SHIFT had called for a campus conversation on the issue.

“We are just as strong supporters of free speech as anyone else,” said Bobb Social Chair Eric Reiner.

“The Bobb social chair has nothing to do with MScA and he does not speak on our behalf,” said Maureen Nasir, Co-President of MScA, confused with the Methodist’s incompetence in regards to reporting.

“There are better ways to approach this,” Nasir said. “A dialog between both groups, a campus-wide conversation, or a competitive game of Twister between the Chronicle and MScA members could have easily resolved the issue.”

MScA’s other co-president, Domar Jal Khaled, shared similar opinions.

“With great power comes great responsibility,” D.J. Khaled said. “Yes, that may be from Spiderman, but that does not make it any less true.”

Drawings were placed in front of the Library, Slivka, Norris, and Chipotle.

“I feel like no one would have cared if they had just stuck to places no one ever went, but bringing Chipotle into the question creates all kind of unnecessary conflict,” Communication sophomore Maxine Booline said.

She went on, “I’m offended by people who are against free speech.  I’m also offended by speech that I disagree with. But I’m not personally offended.  That said, I can’t think on my own.”

 Print This Post