Concerns have been raised within Labour Youth following the release of a video by the UCD Labour Chair, Liam Van der Spek. The video discusses feminism on campus.
In the video, Van der Spek, states that “Oh no, I think feminism’s poor reputation is a direct result of it’s insistent over exposure in Western media. People have had the time to take a long hard look at what feminism is and more and more are they concluding that it is anti-scientific…cry-bullying.”
Further stating that “people who talk about rape culture consistently in Western culture are…actually minimise concern given to genuine rape victims.”
The statements made by Van der Spek have led to a backlash from the wider party.
Commenting about the video, Grace Williams, chair of National Labour Youth said “in no way does this represent my own views or those of Labour Youth. We are very proud to call ourselves a feminist organisation and very much believe in safe spaces, having passed policy to ensure safe space at Labour Youth events at our last conference.”
She went on to say “I firmly believe that a very serious conversation is needed to tackle the issues that women face on campus. The facilitating of this debate would serve to promote an inclusive and understanding community, which is so desperately needed in a youth environment. I cannot in any way stand over the comments made by Liam.”
The video was released at the end of July and arose in response to an article about feminism on campus published by the University Observer in April. The video has since been removed.
Responding to the reaction of the video, Van der Spek said “I was speaking on my own behalf and acknowledge that my views are not the policy of Labour Youth.” Citing criminal threats he has received on social media in the aftermath of the video, Van der Spek stated that “while I stand by the arguments made in the video, I did not intend it to receive the attention that it did.”
He continued, stating that “I maintain that universities should always be places where all ideas should be open to criticism, including my own… I believe no individual is below respect, and no idea is above criticism.”
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