Philosopher Peter Singer’s appearance at UC Berkeley last Thursday set off an immediate backlash from students and staff, who said the event resurfaced old wounds over his past remarks on disability. The talk, billed as a conversation on effective altruism, left some disabled students saying the visit was harmful and triggering.
Why He Was Invited
Matthew Henry, who organized the Philosophy Forum, said he brought Singer to campus because of his work on global poverty and animal welfare, not for his disability-related views. The event also included a fundraising pitch; about $2,000 was raised for The Humane League at Singer’s request, according to The Daily Californian.
Students Say The Talk Was Harmful
Several students and disability advocates told reporters they felt “disheartened” and “horrified” by the visit, with one attendee who uses a manual wheelchair calling the invitation personally painful. Emily Nusbaum, an organizer with the campus disability community, described bringing Singer without a stronger plan to include disability perspectives as “extraordinarily dangerous” and “negligent.” In response, the Disability Cultural Community center planned a “Disability Celebration Space,” according to The Daily Californian.
Campus Offices Responded
The Disabled Students’ Program, the university office responsible for accommodations and community support, has indicated that it will support impacted students, and its role is outlined on the DSP website. Per the university’s communications directory, Janet Gilmore is the campus spokesperson; UC Berkeley Public Affairs lists her as the senior director of strategic communications.
Why Singer Draws Protest
Best known for the 1975 book “Animal Liberation” and for popularizing effective altruism, Singer has also drawn ire over positions on euthanasia and reproductive choices that critics say devalue disabled lives. According to Wikipedia, he has argued in print for permissive policies around euthanasia for infants with severe disabilities, a stance many disability advocates consider dangerous.
What’s Next
The controversy isn’t over. The Disability Cultural Community center’s event is set for Wednesday, with organizers saying they plan to center disabled voices that they felt were missing from the forum. Expect campus debate over invited speech and community safety to continue as students push administrators for clearer plans around controversial speakers.
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