Not really one to shy away from touchy subjects either in real life or on social media, Jim Harbaugh tackled another one on Twitter Wednesday, albeit with a twist -- this one hits close to home.
The highly-decorated movie “American Sniper,” which centers on Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, was scheduled to be shown on the campus of the University of Michigan Friday. However, a petition drive led by Muslim and Arab students, which accused the film of “[condoning] a lot of anti-Middle Eastern and North African propaganda,” led to the university cancelling the showing.
It also led to the university’s head football coach dipping his toes square in the middle of the controversy.
Michigan Football will watch "American Sniper"! Proud of Chris Kyle & Proud to be an American & if that offends anybody then so be it!
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) April 9, 2015
[/standing ovation]
[/thundering applause]
Amidst the controversy that was ignited by the decision to cancel the screening, the university reversed course and announced late Wednesday night -- coincidentally or not, after Harbaugh’s show of support -- that the movie would be shown as previously scheduled.
“It was a mistake to cancel the showing of the movie ‘American Sniper’ on campus as part of a social event for students,” E. Royster Harper, UM vice president for student life, said. “The initial decision to cancel the movie was not consistent with the high value the University of Michigan places on freedom of expression and our respect for the right of students to make their own choices in such matters.
“The movie will be shown at the originally scheduled time and location.”
