#FundEIU rally draws concern over remarks –

On the issue of the phrase:

The phrase “turn over a table or two” is a literary reference (before a pop TV show makes it popular) to the well-known event in the Bible:

“15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He [b]overturned the tables of the money[/b] changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” (NIV Mark 15-17)

In the original context, it tells a story of expelling illicit influences with anger and force. This appropriation by Ms. Williams is apt in the context of her speech, which is that if calling and emailing our politicians are not going to get their attention, then a forceful and angry response will be warranted. The similarity in phrasing, as well as the contextual alignment, makes it clear that this is the intent of Ms. William’s speech.

This type of literary reference is what liberal arts degrees are supposed to inculcate in our students, incidentally, and I applaud Ms. Williams for setting an excellent example in using an apt reference to comment on current affairs. It seems to me that you and those whom you spoke to with concerns that this is a call for violent actions against local businesses are unaware of this reference, and hence, had made the wrong assumption. This is common for people who are not used to reading text embedded with literary devices. But now that you know, you can explain to those who are concerned what the proper meaning of that phrase is. I hope you kept the phone numbers and emails of all those people who contacted you on this matter.

On the issue of your query:

You said:

“I asked if she meant to tell the students to go downtown and trash local businesses, or if she meant her comment as a figure of speech. ”

This question puts the person being asked in the defensive to deny that they intent to incite violence, when in normal interpersonal communication etiquette, one would expect that to be the default. It would be similar to me asking you “Did you mean to write this article as a dog-whistle nod-nod-wink-wink for racists?” That would not be a fair question, because it reveals the assumption of the person asking the question and it sets up an antagonistic communication. What would be more appropriate would be for you to simply ask an open ended question like “Can you clarify the context of your comment? Would like to expand on that comment or elaborate on it?” This will not have put the other person on the defensive, and you might have received an answer. Instead, you put your accusation in the form of a question, thinking it will escape the other person’s notice that you’re really just asking to them to justify something that they didn’t do.

In other words, if you wish to have a dialogue and to seek understanding with your question, you did a poor job in phrasing and presenting the query. If, on the other hand, your intention was to grandstand and to try to get material to smear someone, then you should expect a lack of cooperation when they see through your attempt.

To clarify, the saying, “flip a table” is actually a reference to something that happened on a reality television show several years ago. It’s rather commonly used. So, it doesn’t refer to violence. Second, I agree with most of the other commenters here. You are singling out one sentence by one speaker at the event. And, guess what? Yes, there was a strong union presence at the rally because most of EIU’s employees are either in UPI or AFSCME. And, about three quarters of them are full members, not “fair share” members. There were also hundreds of students at the event. This story does not even come close to meeting the bare minimum standards of what is called journalism. It is a pitiful attempt to making an issue that effects every current and future public university student in IL to a personal agenda. And….YES….I read the article, so there’s no need to repeat that in your reply to me.

reggie looked bug eyed after the rally

Righter said he could see some positives potentially resulting from the rally.

This is some fantastic work digging up a single quote and trying to dismiss a whole campus and community. Is this place not about getting at the truth? Or you just report “concerns” from anonymous sources and then pretend like those “concerns” have any basis via pure speculation?

Wow, is this grasping at straws or what? This is a really pathetic hit piece on a rally which included overwhelmingly student and faculty voices calling for bipartisan appropriations. Even the one politician spoke on MAP grants, which the governor has promised to veto. But yeah, play your partisan game. Cute.

So you’re going to attack a private person who used a metaphor to spur students to action? Weak as usual.

If you would have listened to the beginning of her speech she mentions that she is usually the type to stay quiet during functions like that, and when it’s all over she lets it out and flips some tables. Obviously, both cases are figures of speech for taking action. Don’t make mountains out of molehills.

Have you thought about the fact that this rally was an event to call attention to the fact that the school is in severe need of the funding it is owed? It seems as though you are so hung up on a figure of speech that you have missed the point entirely. You people are doing nothing but using this cry for help as yet another donkey vs. elephant battle. It does not matter what party the governor represents. A budget needs to be passed either way. And not just for EIU. WIU is not too far behind in this struggle and most certainly many more schools to follow.

I heard that the gathering had a strong union / AFSCME presence, or at least AFSCME had a strong presence. I would ask AFSCME – and any other participating unions, organizations AND EIU Admin – where they stand on her comments – on both the literal translation and possible intent. Perhaps she meant, “turn the tables”, but as you pointed out, she refused to clarify, so let’s take her at her literal word, as she spoke it. Consequently, let’s put a stop to this kind of talk – and to people like her who make such comments, who refuse to de-escalate their spoken words. If we do not hold them accountable, they will garner a following of individuals who will take her literally and, “flip a table or two” at the cost of our community.

Not knowing who Yolanda Williams is I “googled” her. She is the Minority Affairs director at EIU. Also stumbled on anther report about the event: http://jg-tc.com/news/eastern-community-calls-for-budget-at-rally/article_19119b44-99a9-5050-a69d-8cb7112247c3.html