*** Penn State "Terrorizes" Jewish Student ***

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/

PSU censors exhibit

By Jessica Remitz email
Collegian Staff Writer

For Penn State student Josh Stulman, years of hard work
ended in disappointment yesterday when the university
cancelled his upcoming art exhibit for violation of Penn
State's policies on nondiscrimination, harassment and
hate.

Three days before his 10-piece exhibit -- Portraits of
Terror -- was scheduled to open at the Patterson
Building, Stulman (senior-painting and anthropology)
received an e-mail message from the School of Visual
Arts that said his exhibit on images of terrorism
"did not promote cultural diversity" or "opportunities
for democratic dialogue" and the display would be
cancelled.

The exhibit, Stulman said, which is based mainly on the
conflict in Palestinian territories, raises questions
concerning the destruction of Jewish religious shrines,
anti-Semitic propaganda and cartoons in Palestinian
newspapers, the disregard for rules of engagement
and treatment of prisoners, and the indoctrination of
youth into terrorist acts.

"I'm being censored and the reason for censoring me
doesn't make sense," Stulman said.

Charles Garoian, professor and director of the School
of Visual Arts, said Stulman's controversial images did
not mesh with the university's educational mission.

The decision to cancel the exhibit came after reviewing
Penn State's Policy AD42: Statement on Nondiscrimination
and Harassment and Penn State's Zero Tolerance Policy
for Hate, he wrote.

Garoian could not be reached by The Daily Collegian
for further comment by press time yesterday.

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon wrote in an e-mail
message that "there are other issues involved in the
display that has caused a problem, issues that have
nothing to do with the content of the painting." Mahon
wrote that he did not know all the details.

"We always encourage those who are offended by f
ree speech to use their own constitutional right to
free speech to make their concerns known," Mahon
wrote. "This is an educational institution and people
should embrace opportunities to inform one another
and the public. ... We don't have a right to hide art."

Stulman said the exhibit, which is sponsored by
Penn State Hillel, aims to create awareness on
campus about the senselessness of terrorism
and drew inspiration from images that have
appeared in the public through newspapers
and television.

He said he was shocked at the university's
decision to cancel the exhibit and that he has
tried to meet with Garoian on numerous
occasions to discuss his artwork.

"It's not about hate. I don't hate Muslims. This is
not about Islam," Stulman said. "This is about
terrorism impacting the Palestinian way of life
and Israel way of life."

Stulman said advertisements for the event were
defaced in the Patterson and School of Visual
Arts buildings, one of which had a large swastika on it.

Stulman, who is Jewish, said he felt threatened and
abused by the Nazi symbol and is concerned for his
artwork and his personal well-being.

Garoian also wrote that exhibit space in the School
of Visual Arts is reserved for students and faculty,
not groups with a particular agenda.

Stulman said he created his paintings on his
he approached Penn State Hillel in February to help
with advertising costs and food for the opening. He
said the School of Visual Arts did not object to his
earlier exhibit, also sponsored by Hillel.

Tuvia Abramson, director of Penn State Hillel, said
while Hillel sponsored the Stulman's exhibit, the
group had nothing to do with his message or content.

"We don't have a political agenda except to support
the voice of Jewish students," he said.

Abramson said Hillel is exploring other venues for
Stulman's exhibits to ensure his message does not
go unnoticed.

"It's about opening eyes and challenging viewpoints,"
Abramson said. "Artistic expression is the basis for
creativity -- but here, it was blocked.

--Collegian staff writers Meaghan Haugh and
Devon Lash contributed to this article.