Pornographic Publication Sparks Controversy at Brown

An allegedly pornographic and racist pamphlet published last week on the Brown University campus is generating widespread controversy among students, faculty and administration alike.

Brown junior Noel Wiggins, the pamplet's author released "Harmony" for the first and last time last week, said Brown Daily Herald Editor Phil Calian.

"Harmony is in extremely poor taste by anybody's standards," said Eric Broudy, Director of the Brown News Bureau. "It offended every possible group you could offend."

Broudy cited a cartoon of the Brown Security Department "gunning down a class of Black students," and other "somewhat pornographic drawings" as particular targets of opponents of the publication.

The most outrageous piece, according to Calian, is a photographic centerfold of Brown's Dean of the College. Calian said that the Dean's head had been attached to the body of a nude male centerfold. Calian added that the centerfold also depicted the president of the college looking on.

Wiggins could not be reached for comment, but according to Calian, who had interviewed him previously, Wiggins' intent was "to shake up the neo-liberal attitudes on campus and provoke change." Calian added that he felt that Wiggins "got the shock he was after."

Mixed Feelings

Students on the Brown campus interviewed last week said they have mixed feelings about the pamphlet. Letters to the Brown Daily Herald have shown about an even split between those who feel that "Harmony" is an outrage and those who think that Wiggins was only exercising his right of freedom of speech.

No action has been taken against Wiggins yet, but according to Broudy, there is a disciplinary body discussing the case. He added that no decision would be made until after April 2, when Brown students return from spring vacation.