John McWhorter
Role at the time: CODA honorary faculty fellow interviewed by Reason
Mixed or conditional
Statement summary
McWhorter finds concerns about survivors' participation and disruption understandable, while preferring to hold the event.
“it may have made the more reluctant people less apprehensive”
Open source (opens in a new tab)A Free Speech Group at Columbia Canceled an Event About Free Speech Over 'Cornell 7' Article ControversyInterviews with Eli Noam, John McWhorter and other participants
Original interviews distinguish safety concerns, the cancellation decision and condemnation of the Sundial essay.
Why we used this label
The case concerns cancellation. His sympathy for its safety rationale is qualified by his preference to proceed with the event.