Professor David Miller, Strathclyde Tech
As reported on Samizdata, Slugger and the Guardian, Professor of Sociology at Strathclyde University, David Miller, has decreed that the Red Hand of Ulster is a symbol that represents loyalists and is “not signed up to by the majority”, “Nobody seriously thinks that it is a symbol for Ulster or Northern Ireland” the Professor reveals.
Now I know this’ll all just quietly go away and Prof. Miller will go on spouting nonsense with no apology or retraction because that’s the way the world works, but I thought I’d try and badger him just a little to see if he could offer anything in the way of support for his claim that “Like the swastika the red hand is a symbol that has been misappropriated. It is the symbol of the unionists…”, and no surprises, he didn’t reply. I also emailed Strathclyde University’s Press Office, and they did reply:
“…the University is a strong defender of the principle of academic freedom and encourages its staff to engage in public debate in areas of their research expertise.”
Ah, so by debate they must mean when you say something in a forum where no-one can really question you, like spouting to the Guardian. Interesting.
“The university notes that the head of Blue Peter has apologised for the inappropriate use of the red hand of Ulster.”
Oh well then, case closed. Incidently, an apology which didn’t satisfy the good Professor:
“The outstanding issue which arises from the compliant is who gave the erroneous advice that ‘both communities are equally attached to it’?”
Finally from Strathclyde University PR:
“Professor Miller is a recognised expert in the area of media representations of Northern Ireland”
You heard it here first, the experts at Strathclyde University couldn’t tell an arse from an elbow.
«0 CommentsJanuary 24, MMV»
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