ESSAY about FREE SPEECH after visiting the Chautauqua Institution
ABC was created four years ago out of frustration at the overwhelmingly liberal bias of invited speakers.
A little over a week ago, Marlene mentioned to me that Dr. Peter McCullough would be speaking at the Chautauqua Institute. I loved the idea of going to the Chautauqua Institute so I started to look for information about the event in particular date, time, exact location and admission price. I emailed someone at the Institution, but did not get a response. Marlene was also looking for information online. Basically, each of us found out the date and location: The Atheneum Hotel at three p.m. on Monday. So, we agreed to leave Lockport around nine a.m. Monday morning, for the two hour drive, a stop for a picnic lunch and allowing extra time in case of making a wrong turn, and maybe a chance to look around the Institution. Marlene did make a wrong turn, so we had to backtrack, which used up close to a half an hour of our extra time. We stopped at a small park on the bank of a pond in Mayville. We had our lunch there and then continued on. We were VERY close to the City of Chautauqua. We found the main entrance and the Visitors Center and went inside. I paid for parking and two afternoon admissions. The woman who took my money did not know anything about Dr. McCullough, We found a parking spot (the only empty spot in the lot closest to the road. The parking area is large and is across the road from the Institution. We took a shuttle back over to the Visitors Center and walked through the front gate, where we waited for another shuttle to take us to the Atheneum Hotel. We were way early (like close to an hour and a half). We went in and stopped first at an information desk where we asked about Dr. McCulloughs lecture. The guy did not know anything about it. We walked further into the lobby and stopped at another, larger desk and asked again. The woman we spoke to knew that there was going to be a speaker in the large parlor which she pointed out to us, but she did not know who would be speaking. She told us that we could go in and find seats at two thirty p.m. Marlene and I found a spot to sit outside and I took some pictures. After a while, the sun was so hot that we moved up the a spot on the porch. While we were sitting there, Dr. McCullough walked up the steps with two woman. So, this was when we knew we were at the right spot. When we noticed people going into the parlor at about two fifteen, I told Marlene that I was going to go in and find us some good seats. I did that, and she joined me after a few minutes.
After a few introductions, Dr. McCullough came out and he spoke for about 40 minutes. Then he took questions and answers. Everyone who was there received an autographed cop y of his most recent book, and a clear bag to use for future visits to the Institute. Bags, purses and backpacks that are not clear re not allowed in any of the venues at the Institute except for the Athenaeum Hotel. After leaving the hotel, we drove to Fredonia and had supper at BUDDY BREWSTER'S ALE HOUSE. I had a cheese steak sandwich which was pretty good but not excellent. I think we got back to Lockport around seven thirty p.m., maybe a little later.
I was interested in the origins of ADVOCACY for a BALANCED CHAUTAUQUA, so I looked it up online. The CI was originally started as a Christian organization, but as years passed, it started to lean towards the left until several years ago, they did not offer any conservative speakers. I found this on their website.
During the summer of 2018, a small group gathered to discuss the definition of “diversity and inclusion.” Our thoughts became a vision that encompassed a comprehensive representation of all viewpoints. Hence, the rise of the Advocates for Balance at Chautauqua that has become a dynamic movement.
We believe in intellectual curiosity and have the desire to hear all points of view and perspectives. We welcome discussions that offer honest and civil debate. We rise to the challenge of listening, especially when the message may test one's current beliefs or understandings. This is how we become educated. We want others to have their voices heard, and respected such that nobody is marginalized or made to feel unwelcome.
We have made substantial progress with many Chautauquans who share this vision and have supported our group (over 600 and growing!!!).
The Wall Street Journal article, August 23, 2022
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