From the Archives: “CCAs have rocky moments”

Home Uncategorized From the Archives: “CCAs have rocky moments”

 

About 10 years ago, a CCA speaker dropped the f-word multiple times in what is now notoriously known as the ‘f-bomb CCA.’

The speaker was Jeffrey Hart, professor emeritus of English at Dartmouth University and senior editor at National Review.

Hart warned of the dangers of speech codes, then went on to speak of words that, although low and dirty, were nonetheless effective means of communication, giving as examples a number of marches and songs from the second World War utilizing the f-word effectively. He did not call it the f-word.

The college administration was not pleased. Nor was John Reist, professor of English at Hillsdale.

He finds fault in Hart’s intentional use of a word offensive to many while a guest at an event geared towards building a positive reputation among supporters.

The administration purposely tried to forget the episode. The video recordings of that particular speech are no longer available in the CCA archives.

“They have always pretended it didn’t happen,” Reist said.

 

Jared Cook

The Hillsdale Collegian 

February 14, 2002