After a history professor made a crass, deeply sensitive impression about Adolf Hitler in a debate about ‘good taste’, the President of Cambridge University’s Union apologized.
Guest speaker Andrew Graham-Dixon, 60, impersonated the German dictator as part of his argument against the motion ‘this house believes there is no such thing as good taste.’
His long impression of Hitler (which included racial slurs as well as expressing antisemitic views and used racist language) was intended to “show how offensive he was”, according to historian.
Cambridge Union President Keir Bradwell, who had said that it was the ‘longest Hitler impression’ the chamber had ever heard, has now issued an apology for his failure to intervene after the impersonation caused outrage amongst Cambridge University students and alumni.
Bradwell, who was later filmed confessing to being ‘quite drunk’ at the debate, said that he had had two glasses of red wine but denied this had affected his ability chair the discussion.
He stated that he didn’t intervene because he lacked the courage to confront 400 people.
Andrew Graham-Dixon (60), guest speaker, impersonated the German dictator to support his case against the motion “this house believes that there is no such thing a good taste”.
Andrew Graham Dixonon was the guest speaker and impersonated the German dictator in his defense against the motion that ‘this House believes there isn’t such thing as good tasting’
Graham-Dixon made an impersonation of Graham-Dixon, and it was called “crass” and “deeply insensitive”. He stated that: “The romantic tradition German art was rejected.
‘This modern, horrible art that was promoted by the Jews… and the modern art, it was cubist – inspired by the art of the ne***s.
This tribal art, it is so horrible! We must expunge this from our Deutschland.
We are Aryan pure people. We are pure in our genetics, and our hearts, minds, and tastes should be pure.
Graham-Dixon, who was a mocking of the victim, won the Thursday debate.
Bradwell admitted that he had been drinking during the debate. But, later, Bradwell said he had had two drinks of wine. He denied this had affected his ability to lead the discussion. Bradwell said that he was incapable of intervening because he lacked the courage to confront a 400-strong room.
Keir Bradwell of the Cambridge Union, who confessed to having been drunk during the debate, and claimed that it was the longest Hitler impression the chamber has ever heard, is now apologizing for not intervening
Bradwell opened a letter in which he wrote, “I want to apologize for any comments that were made during our Thursday evening debate.”
“Neither the society nor I condone the use of grotesque and thoughtless language by the person in question. I’m sorry that I didn’t intervene.
“The speaker used a crude and insensitive impression of Hitler in order to argue against the notion that bad taste is possible. […]It was unjustifiable and I regretted not intervening.
Zara Salaria (Union’s Equalities Officer) stated that Graham-Dixon’s impression of art was “absolutely unacceptable” and “utterly terrifying”.
Zara Salaria from the Union of Equalities stated that Graham-Dixon’s perception was unacceptable and horrifying.
Joel Rosen, former President of Cambridge Union, said that he was physically sickened by what he witnessed at the event.
Graham-Dixon issued a statement in response to the backlash. It stated that: “The purpose of my speech was not to highlight the evil nature Hitler’s regime and Hitler himself.
“He caricatured Jewish and Black people, and gay people in horrible ways. As propaganda for his poisonous views, he curated a massive art exhibit called Degenerate Art.
“In my speech, I briefly caricatured him. Paraphrasing his crass statements and insensitive remarks about art and racism, This was what I hoped would be clear for all.
“My point was that bad ideas within the art sphere can have terrible consequences for the rest of our lives. My work is well-known to those who are familiar with it. I’ve always opposed racism and any type of discrimination.
“I apologize sincerely to anybody who found my debate tactics or use of Hitler’s language distressing. On reflection, I see that many of the words and phrases I used are offensive, even in quotes. I didn’t intend to cause any upset, but to convince them that bad taste is often a sign of bad morality.